Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > September > 04 > Entry
Hurricane preparedness for the land-locked
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When I think Atlanta, I think hot, but not tropical hot. Crazy storms, but only about 20 minutes at a time.
Hurricanes? No.
And I’d be wrong, kind of. Atlanta’s not New Orleans, Galveston, the Carolinas or even Savannah, but the hurricanes around our land-locked metro area still impact us and not just because evacuees bunk here for a while. (This story by reporter Stacy Shelton, “Georgia lucky but not immune to hurricanes,” provides even more background info.)
Robert Beasley, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, filled me in on what newcomers should know as we approach peak hurricane season.
We’re not impacted like a coastal area, but we have our own problems. Namely, high winds, floods and tornadoes. Wind here is generally tropical storm-level or less, which can still do plenty of damage. Watch for flooding especially in areas around the Chattahoochee. (Here’s Chattahoochee River Flood Tracking by the U.S. Geological Survey. Bookmark it.) Which brings us to…
Tornadoes, tornadoes, tornadoes. But not like those we have in spring. Those big F4, F5 tornadoes are quite dramatic, but these F1s and F2s are hard to detect with plenty of opportunity for destruction. (For perspective: the tornado that swept through downtown in March was an F2.) Hurricane Katrina holds the record for kicking up 18 in one day. Remember too: Atlanta is filled with old trees prone to falling. Be mindful of where you’re driving and parking during hurricane season.
Tornadoes spurred by Hurricane Katrina extended into Carrollton in September, 2005. Here, farmers work to clean a chicken farm.
- The hurricanes worst for coastal Georgia aren’t so bad for us. No, the worst-case scenario for Atlantans is a hurricane that comes inland in Alabama, then move Northeast. (Long-timers, remember Ivan? Remember how bad that was? That’s what I’m talking about.) The Northeast quadrant of a hurricane is where you’ll find the worst weather, so we tend to get the comparatively gentle western side from a hurricane that hits the Georgia coast.
The Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags in Austell was surrounded by flood waters from the Chattahoochee River on Sept. 17, 2004, thanks to Ivan.
- Hurricane season runs June 1-Dec. 1. September is the peak month, and Sept. 10 is the peak day. By October and November, we’re slipping into fall weather patterns that make it harder for mighty hurricanes to form. The good news: some of those storm systems can create enough rainfall here to help out the drought, just like Fay.
Long-timers, any other tips to prepare for a storm and crazy weather? Newcomers, did you know what you were getting in to?
(On a completely different topic, the AJC just launched a Web channel to connect folks to non-profits and volunteer operations. You can find that information at dogood.ajc.com. For more volunteer opportunities and ideas, check out this Newcomer post from July.)
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Weather
Comments
By EFB
September 4, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
I lived in Cobb County for over 20 years before moving and our storm kit consisted of batteries for the many flashlights and radios but thats about it. I think the longest time we spent without power was 2 or 3 hours. There was also a pre-designated are in the house for tornado shelter. Homeowners may be interested in trimming trees that are close to their homes or neighbors’ homes so as to avoid roof damage and the troubles that come with it.
By Russell Jurney
September 5, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
Too bad Lake Lanier doesn’t get a righteous storm swell going on.