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Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Hurricane Forecasters Worry Lack of Federal Dollars Could Mean Inadequate Storm Predictions
AP Photo/Weather Underground
March 31, 2010: This NOAA satellite image shows mid-level clouds swirling over the Northeast and curving into the western Atlantic Ocean as a weakening low pressure system remains off the New England coast.
Calling it "a matter of public safety" and "national significance," the nation's top official in charge of forecasting hurricanes and tornadoes in the United States warned Thursday that recent wrangling over the federal budget could end up stripping the federal government of its ability to predict devastating storms.
Researchers and analysts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, rely on a network of satellites to gather the data necessary to predict and monitor storms. But those satellites only have a "finite lifespan," and the funds to replace them are in danger of getting cut, according to NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco.
"We are now in a situation where because we have insufficient funds in the (latest) budget, we're likely looking at a period of time -- a few years down the road -- where we will not be able to do severe storm warnings and long-term weather forecasts that people have come to expect today," Lubchenco told reporters. "The future funding for our satellite program… is very much in limbo right now."
Lubchenco said she has "concerns" about the capabilities of the current satellite system, adding later, "It's mind boggling that we wouldn't fund this."
In particular, she said, NOAA was planning to launch a new satellite in a couple of years to replace one currently in orbit, but the current short-term spending bill passed by Congress last month provides "insufficient funds" for that to happen.
Asked whether she truly believes members of Congress would let something like the U.S. government's ability to predict severe storms lapse, Lubchenco didn't offer a direct answer. With lawmakers focused on dollar amounts, she said, she's trying to emphasize the consequences of their proposed cuts.
Nevertheless, Lubchenco said some satellites currently in place are "doing a spectacular job," citing the recent "five-day heads-up" given to residents in the path of some strong tornadoes.
Lubchenco was speaking to reporters outside her agency's Climate Prediction Center in Suitland, Md., where she was joined by Federal Emergency Management administrator Craig Fugate to announce the outlook for this year's hurricane season, which begins June 1.
Officials are predicting an "above-normal" hurricane season this year, with up to 18 named storms and as many as six that could become category five hurricanes. It's too early, though, to predict whether any of those storms would reach land.
Lubchenco said preparation is vitally important, and it only takes one storm to "wreak devastation."
Fugate has his own outlook for this season.
"I'll issue my forecast: Far too many people will not be prepared and will try to get ready in the last minutes when the hurricanes threaten their community, and won't have enough time," he said.
Fugate urged people along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Coast to figure out now whether they live in an evacuation zone. He also warned against so-called "hurricane amnesia."
"This is a problem along any of these areas where people forget (the) risk or feel that they have some sort of immunity because of the coastline, or the history, or the classic 'I've lived here all my life, I've never had a hurricane,'" he said. "If you live along the Gulf Coast, if you live along the Atlantic Coast, you have your notice: This is going to be an above-average season."
As for what's next for NOAA's satellites, Lubchenco said her agency is currently "working very closely with Congress."
"We are hopeful that we will be able to get the funding to get this program back on track," she said.
via foxnews.com
NOAA predicts 'above normal' hurricane season - WLOX-TV and WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi
SUITLAND, MD (RNN) - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) predicted an "above normal" Atlantic hurricane season for 2011.
"It will likely include 12 to 18 named storms, with winds of 39 MPH or greater," said Jane Lubchenco, under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.
Of those storms, six to 10 could become hurricanes, with winds of at least 74 MPH.
Of those storms, three to six could become major hurricanes, rated categories three to five, with winds 111 MPH or greater.
Since 1995, conditions considered especially favorable for hurricane formation have been in place. Other conditions that led to the current forecast include water temperatures being 2 degrees higher than normal and La Nina's impact.
La Nina is an oceanic and atmospheric phenomenon characterized by "cooler than normal sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific ocean that impact global weather patterns," according to NOAA.
The weather phenomenon makes winter weather warmer than normal in the Southeastern U.S.
NOAA did not predict where any specific hurricane might make landfall, or when, as these are dependent on the "specific conditions of the time and place where that hurricane is," Lubchenco said.
Last year, there were 19 named storms. Of those, 12 became hurricanes - the second-highest total on record for a hurricane season.
Fortunately, winds steered those storms away from U.S. coastlines, Lubchenco said, noting the devastation they caused in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
"However, we can't count on luck to get us through this season," she said.
Although La Nina will dissipate in early summer, its lingering effects will likely reduce the wind sheers that push storms away and also aid in their formation.
Craig Fugate, a FEMA administrator on hand at Wednesday afternoon's news conference, reminded the public that national hurricane preparedness week begins Sunday.
"Even with a perfect forecast, it doesn't mean there won't be devastation," Fugate said, urging the public to prepare as soon as possible for the coming six-month storm season.
The 2012 hurricane season begins on June 1.
An average hurricane season has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
Copyright 2011 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Mississippi River Crest Lowered For Vicksburg, Natchez - Jackson News Story - WAPT Jackson
JACKSON, Miss. -- The Mississippi River is expected to crest Thursday at Vicksburg at 57.1 feet, which is lower than the original prediction of 57.5 feet, but still more than a foot above the 1927 record.The river level was at 57 feet in Vicksburg on Wednesday. The crest was also lowered in Natchez from 63 feet to 62.5, which the river is predicted to reach on Saturday.Gov. Haley Barbour said after the crest, it could be days before the water starts going down.The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said more than 4,800 people are displaced in Mississippi due to flooding, with more than 2,000 of them in Vicksburg and surrounding areas in Warren County.Cargo is slowly moving along the bloated Mississippi River after a costly, daylong standstill, while officials keep an eye on the lower Delta, where thousands of acres of farmland could be swamped by water that's inching closer to the top of a backwater levee.The Coast Guard on Tuesday reopened the Mississippi River in Natchez, but said only one tow vessel at a time would be allowed to pass through the 15-mile area.Barges that haul coal, timber, iron, steel and more than half of America's grain exports were allowed to pass, but at the slowest possible speed. Such interruptions could cost the U.S. economy hundreds of millions of dollars for each day the barges are idled, as the toll from the weeks of flooding from Arkansas to Louisiana continues to mount.Copyright 2011 by WAPT.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Schwarzenegger reveals he had child with staffer - WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS:
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that apparently prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple's home before they announced their separation last week.
Schwarzenegger and Shriver jointly announced May 9 that they were splitting up after 25 years of marriage. Yet, Shriver moved out of the family's Brentwood mansion earlier in the year after Schwarzenegger acknowledged the child is his, The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger told the Times in a statement that also was sent to The Associated Press early Tuesday. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.
"I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time," the statement concluded. "While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not."
Schwarzenegger's representatives did not comment further. A spokesman for the former first lady told the Times she had no comment.
The Times did not publish the former staffer's name nor that of her child but said the woman worked for the family for 20 years and retired in January.
In an interview Monday before Schwarzenegger issued his statement, the former staffer said another man - her husband at the time - was the child's father. When the Times later informed the woman of the governor's statement, she declined to comment further.
The child was born before Schwarzenegger began his seven-year stint in public office.
Shriver stood by her husband during his 2003 gubernatorial campaign after the Los Angeles Times reported accusations that he had a history of groping women. Schwarzenegger later said he "behaved badly sometimes."
In his first public comments since the couple announced their breakup, Schwarzenegger said last week that he and Shriver "both love each other very much."
"We are very fortunate that we have four extraordinary children and we're taking one day at a time," he said at a Los Angeles event marking Israeli independence. Their children range in age from 13 to 21.
Since his term as California governor ended in early January, Schwarzenegger, 63, has hopscotched around the world, his wife nowhere in sight. While the "Terminator" star appeared confident about the future since exiting politics, cutting movie deals and fashioning himself as a global spokesman for green energy, Shriver, known for her confidence, seemed unsettled.
Shriver, 55, maintained her own identity when her husband entered politics, though she gave up her job at NBC. Their union was often tested in Sacramento, where the former action star contended with a rough seven years of legislative gridlock, a budget crisis and lingering questions about his fidelity.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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