The 2014 hurricane season is approaching and Caller.com will be the destination for the most current
information available. Through a partnership with the National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service, Caller.com will
have access to the latest tropical information available anywhere in South Texas.
The 2014 hurricane season is approaching and Caller.com will be the destination for the most current
information available. Through a partnership with the National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service, Caller.com will
have access to the latest tropical information available anywhere in South Texas.
The 2014 hurricane season is approaching and Caller.com will be the destination for the most current
information available. Through a partnership with the National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service, Caller.com will
have access to the latest tropical information available anywhere in South Texas.
CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT MAY 18, 2014
Hurricane season is June 1 - Nov. 30.
2014 Get ready Have a plan for your family and belongings. 2X Sunday, May 18, 2014 CAL L E R-TI MES EMERGENCY NUMBERS CORPUS CHRISTI Police, re, ambulance: 911 City/water: 857-1888 (24 hours) Waste water: 857-1818 (24 hours) AEP: 866-223-8508 American Red Cross: 887-9991 COUNTY Aransas: 361-729-2222 Bee: 361-362-3221 Brooks: 361-325-3696 Duval: 361-279-3351 Jim Hogg: 361-527-3710 Jim Wells: 361-668-0341 Kleberg: 361-595-8500 Live Oak: 361-449-2271 Nueces: 887-2222 Refugio: 361-526-2351 San Patricio: 361-364-2251 INTERNET STORM COVERAGE The 2014 hurricane season is approaching and Caller. com will be the destination for the most current information available. Through a partnership with the National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service, Caller.com will have access to the latest tropical information available anywhere in South Texas. Also take a glimpse at the past with the storm tracks of major U.S. hurricanes over the past 100 years and local photo galleries of Coastal Bend hurricanes since 1967. OUR COVERAGE WILL INCLUDE THE MOST CURRENT: Forecasts for the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico Storm probabilities updated every two hours Tropical storm advisories Three- and ve-day landfall predictions for each storm Seven-day storm track projections Current and previous storm coordinates Satellite imagery of the storms with wind speeds First reported on CONTENTS 4 The calm before the storm: Forecasters predict a quiet season, but Mother Nature could change her mind. 11 Storm surge: A look at the combinations that create a rise in sea levels. 10 It pays to be prepared: Make sure your home and property is ready for disaster. 12 Evacuation map: These are the routes to use when leaving the Coastal Bend when theres a hurricane. 14 Costliest hurricanes: Trace the top 20 costliest hurricanes dating back to the 70s. 15 Prepare for your pets: Dont forget your animals needs 6-7 Before and after the storm: A list of tips of necessary supplies. 8-9 Tracking map: Follow the hurricanes as they move through the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. When the storm is approaching, take Caller.coms hurricane coverage with you via our mobile site, m.caller.com, and our Twitter feed @callerdotcom. CAL L E R-TI MES Sunday, May 18, 2014 3X What we do when the lights go out . . . Electricity is an essential service that is often taken for granted. Yet, a major stormor hurricane can disrupt electric service for an extended period of time. AEP Texas has developed a comprehensive restoration plan in the event of a major storm or hurricane that is designed to get the lights back on as quickly as possible. Each year prior to hurricane season, drills are conducted so that everyone will be ready for whatever happens. In the event of a severe storm, crews from other parts of AEP Texas and from utilities in surrounding states are called upon to help restore service. AEP Texas realizes communication to residents is vital in the event of a storm, and we will continue to provide the latest restoration information through the news media and through our website (aeptexas.com). Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. CAL351239 facebook.com/aeptexas twitter.com/aeptexas youtube.com/aeptexas 4X Sunday, May 18, 2014 CAL L E R-TI MES By Kimberly Vetter Special to the Caller-Times This years hurricane season is predicted to be less active than average. However, storm experts and local leaders say thats no reason to let down your guard. If history has taught us any- thing, its that Mother Nature has a mind of her own, Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez said. Therefore, we cant de- pend on predictions and we must always be prepared. William Gray and Phillip Klotzbach, with the Tropical Meteorology Research Project at Colorado State University, agreed and said that despite their prediction of a quiet hurricane season, coastal res- idents should prepare for the worst. It only takes one storm in your area to make it an active season for you, Klotzbach said. Thats why we remind people to prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much or how little activity is predicted. Gray and Klotzbach said in their recently released hurri- cane forecast that there could be nine named storms this year, half of what they predict- ed last April but more than the two hurricanes actually seen last year. Of those named storms, Grays and Klotzbachs forecast calls for three becoming hur- ricanes and only one turning into a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurri- cane, which packs wind speeds of 111 mph or greater. We anticipate that the 2014 Atlantic basin hurricane sea- son will have below-average activity compared with the 1981-2010 climatology, the men say in their forecast. We also anticipate a below-average probability for major hurri- canes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean. An average hurricane sea- son includes 12 named storms with six becoming hurricanes and three of those becoming major hurricanes, Klotzbach said, adding that such statis- tics as well as his and Grays predictions are based on a more than 60-year-old data- base that contains informa- tion on sea level pressure, sea surface temperature and lower- and upper-level wind conditions. We nd that, in general, certain sets of conditions pre- cede active seasons while other sets precede inactive seasons, he said. This is how we dis- covered the El Nio-Atlantic hurricane relationship as well as many others. Gray and Klotzbach predict a below-average hurricane sea- son this year due to the combi- nation of cooler waters in the Atlantic and the likelihood of El Nio. El Nio, warmer than nor- mal water in the central and eastern Pacific, generates increased upper-level west- erly winds in the Atlantic. These winds can hamper the development of storms or prevent tropical storms from forming. As for where the 2014 pre- dicted storms will hit, Gray and Klotzbach cant accurate- ly forecast this months in ad- vance. However, they can give the total seasonal probability of landfall. Using a statistical analy- ses of all U.S. hurricane and named storm landfall events in the 20th century, Gray and Klotzbach said in their report there is a 19 percent chance that at least one major hur- ricane will hit the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle westward to Brownsville. They said there is a less than one percent chance of one or more major hurricanes mak- ing landfall in Nueces County and a one percent chance that one or more hurricanes will hit the county between June 1 and Nov. 30. Martinez said residents still need to have a plan and that it should be for both hunkering down in a storm and evacuating. Your hurricane toolbox should be ready, she said. Residents can learn more about hurricane forecasts in the upcoming months from Gray and Klotzbach as well as other storm experts. Gray and Klotzbach will re- lease another forecast in June and July. They will issue two- week forecasts during the peak of the season from August to October and a verication and discussion of the 2014 forecasts will be released in late Novem- ber. The National Oceanic At- mospheric Administrations Climate Prediction Centers seasonal hurricane outlook will be issued May 22 at a press conference in College Park, Md., said Dennis Felgen, a meteorologist with the ad- ministration. The forecast is the only U.S. government-researched hurri- cane outlook. Other forecasts, including the one from Colo- rado State, are from private organizations. Throughout the hurricane season, the administrations hurricane center will issue storm watches and warnings. A hurricane watch means hur- ricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. A hurricane warning means that these con- ditions are expected within 36 hours. THE GOOD NEWS: Hurricane season may be quiet THE BAD NEWS: Mother Nature changes her mind THINKSTOCK.COM Even if the chance of a hurricane hitting the Coastal Bend is remote, residents need to be prepared for the storm season. CAL L E R-TI MES Sunday, May 18, 2014 5X As hurricane season approaches, its important to have a personal and family safety plan. At Flint Hills Resources, safety and protecting our environment are top priorities so we constantly develop plans and procedures to prepare for the unexpected, including hurricanes. So to help you prepare your plan, we continue to support the Corpus Christi Caller-Times Hurricane Guide to provide you with current resources and recommendations that make sense for protecting the safety of individuals, families and even businesses. We cant prevent hurricanes from occurring, but we can be prepared when they do. So protect yourself, your loved ones and your property - take time now to get prepared. Visit fhr.com When it comes to preparing for a hurricane, dont blow it. HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS JUNE 1ST CAL351252 CAL L E R-TI MES Sunday, May 18, 2014 7X 2 7 8 10 4 12 5 6 3 1 11 9 WHEN A WARNING IS ISSUED A tropical storm or hurricane warning means those conditions are expected in a specied coastal region within 24 hours. All preparations should be completed. People within the warning area should take action to protect life and property. 1 Begin installing storm shutters or plywood and door braces. All window openings need to be covered and all doors must withstand hurricane-force winds (including garage door). 2 Drain in-ground pools about 1 foot to allow for heavy rain. Super-chlorinate to avoid contamination. Disconnect electrical pumps. 3 Bring in any outdoor objects that could be blown away. 4 Disconnect propane gas tanks, turn off the main gas line. Note: Do not stay in a mobile home. 5 Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting. 6 Have at least three gallons of water per person on hand. 7 Clean a bathtub using bleach, rinse thoroughly and let dry. Seal the drain with caulk and ll the tub. This water is to be used for bathing and sanitary purposes only, not for drinking. 8 Prepare your safe room. Stock it with a battery-powered radio with spare batteries, sleeping bags and pillows, chairs, snacks and drinking water. Have a mattress nearby in case your home suffers structural damage. 9 Place valuables and personal papers in waterproof containers. If you are evacuating, you may be required to provide proof of residency before being allowed to return to an evacuation area after a storm. 10 Close all windows. 11 Put as many loose objects as possible in drawers. 12 Call your out-of-town contact and tell them where you will be during the hurricane. BEFORE THE STORM, AFTER THE STORM 8X Sunday, May 18, 2014 CAL L E R-TI MES CAL L E R-TI MES Sunday, May 18, 2014 9X 10 0 m ile s 7 0 0 m ile s Visit Caller.comfor the latest in hurricane information. Stormpositions are given in latitude, which runs horizontally, and longitude, which runs vertically. EXAMPLE: If a hurricane is at latitude 28.0 north and longitude 98.0 west, move up the horizontal lines of latitude to 28.0. Now move across the vertical lines of longitude to 98.0. Where these lines cross is the center of the storm(in this case, it would be near Corpus Christi). TROPICAL DISTURBANCE A poorly organized cluster of thunders- torms that usually has no closed surface circulation. TROPICAL DEPRESSION A cluster of thunderstorms organized around a central circulation with surface winds of 38 mph or less. TROPICAL STORM A cluster of thunder- storms with a substan- tial rotary circulation and sustained winds of 39-73 mph. It is at this stage of development that the stormis assigned a name. HURRICANE A severe tropical cyclone that is natures most powerful storm, with sustained winds of 74 mph or greater. 80W 85W 90W 75W 70W 65W 60W 55W BAHAMAS CUBA HAITI JAMAICA CAYMAN ISLANDS BELIZE GUATEMALA HONDURAS EL SALVADOR NICARAGUA PANAMA COLOMBIA VENEZUELA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC PUERTO RICO ANGUILA ST. MARTIN ANTIGUA ST. KITTS and NEVIS COSTA RICA 50W 45W 40W 35W 30W 25W 20W 15W 65W 60W 55W 50W 45W 40W 35W 30W 25W 20W 15W 30N 25N 20N 15N 10N 100 miles Ga. Fla. Ala. Miss. La. Houston CORPUS CHRISTI MEXICO TEXAS Gulf of Mexico Atlantic Ocean Storm names These are the assigned names for this seasons storms: Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred 95W 100W T A st H A c T D AAAA 40N 35N 30N 25N 20N 15N 10N HURRICANE TRACKING MAP Hurricane season is June 1 Nov. 30 10X Sunday, May 18, 2014 CAL L E R-TI MES By Kimberly Vetter Special to the Caller-Times It pays to be prepared. That is the main piece of ad- vice area insurance agents and experts have for Coastal Bend residents who want to protect their property during the up- coming hurricane season. We beg people to come in annually and have a conversa- tion with us about their cover- age, said Henry Hershberger, owner of Storm Shields of Texas and Allstate Insurance. A short amount of time can go a long way. Two important things to discuss are windstorm cover- age and ood insurance. Many homeowners and business- owners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by wind and hail. No such poli- cies cover ooding. Flood insurance can be purchased through the Fed- eral Emergency Management Agency and a handful of private entities. Although only people with property in the two high- est ood zones are required to purchase the insurance, agents said more should do so. Wally Goodman, vice presi- dent of Borden Insurance, said most of Corpus Christi is not considered to be in a high-risk ood zone but that doesnt mean it wont flood. The ground around town is pretty at, he said, making a hard rain a potential ood hazard. Its fairly inexpensive if you arent in a high-risk ood zone, Goodman said of the insurance. You might as well consider it. Windstorm insurance is required for those living in the 14 counties near the Texas coast. Some homeowner and business owner policies cover damage by wind and hail but most dont, pushing residents to purchase windstorm insur- ance from the Texas Wind- storm Insurance Association. Texas State Rep. Todd Hunter said its getting harder and more expensive to pur- chase windstorm insurance because other weather-related events in the state are causing insurance companies to think twice about insuring coastal residents. Hail storms and tornadoes in west and north Texas have done billions of dollars worth of damage during the past few years, Hunter said. As a result, insurance companies are pull- ing out of the coast because they dont want to deal with the remnants of a hurricane. Coastal areas are getting punished for things that hap- pen in other areas of the state, he said. Its not fair. Hunter, who has passed several windstorm insurance reform laws, said hes working hard to make the system fair and equitable for everyone in the state. Currently, hes trying to extend the burden of funding the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to the entire state instead of just the 14 coastal counties. Georgia Neblett, chairwom- an of the Texas Windstorm In- surance Association, said the number of people seeking in- surance from her organization is growing because fewer pri- vate insurance companies are ofering windstorm coverage. As a result, she said, the or- ganization is more ready than ever to handle peoples claims. She said the organization re- cently launched a new website and opened a new claims de- partment. Funding for the organiza- tion, Neblett said, primarily comes from premiums paid by customers. However, the organization also can receive money from catastrophic trusts, bonds and reinsurnace. What we want to avoid is a tax, Hunter said. Hershberger said no amount of insurance will mat- ter unless people have accurate documentation of what was in their home or business at the time of an incident. What everyone needs is a good inventory of all their stuf, he said. Without one, a claim might not be paid. Instead of making a list, Her- shberger said, people should either take photos or make a video of their possessions, in- cluding details such as model and serial numbers on re- arms, jewelry and electronics. A copy of peoples inventory should be kept away from the property at stake. Policyholders also should make sure the value of their home is insured at replace- ment cost, which is how much it would cost to rebuild your home at todays prices, Hersh- berger said. An appraised value of a home is not the same as the re- placement cost since appraised values are based on sales of home values in an area, not construction costs. Other things to consider, Hershberger said, are insuring your home with more than 80 percent of reconstruction cost and having a rider that covers increased cost of changing building codes. Theres a lot to keep up with, he said. Thats why its good to be prepared. Make sure home, property is ready for disaster THINKSTOCK.COM Trees with limbs hanging over homes need to be trimmed, and dead trees need to be removed well before a storm hits an area. CAL L E R-TI MES Sunday, May 18, 2014 11X About 16 feet at head of bay. 10-12 feet at islands and Oso Creek. Spreading to parts of the Southside. CATEGORY 3 111-130 mph winds 15-17 feet at Oso Creek, getting into a lot of the Southside. 20-24 feet at head of Nueces Bay (impacting reneries, I-37). 12-14 feet at islands. CATEGORY 4 131-155 mph winds 20-23 feet at Southside. 29-31 feet at head of bay. 16-17 feet at islands. CATEGORY 5 156+ mph winds The wind, rain and force of the sea combine to create a rise in sea levels up to as much as 35 feet above normal. This can cause serious ooding and has caused far more destruction and killed more people than the wind. The rise in sea levels brought on by Hurricane Katrina is an example of the destructive force the storm surge can have. The main cause of death in a hurricane that hit Galveston in 1900, one of the worst in U.S. history, was the storm surge, which killed more than 8,000 people. Low pressure Low pressure in the core pulls the water up. Open-ocean surges are not high because water is unobstructed and allowed to ow away. Water ows away creating underwater currents. OPEN OCEAN Low pressure Low pressure in the core pulls the water up. The ocean oor keeps water from owing away. The hurricane storm tide occurs when normal tides are combined with the advancing surge. The storm can be particularly damaging at high tide. A 2-foot normal high tide plus a 10-foot storm surge will push water 12 feet above mean sea level. Water piles up to the right of the eye. The worst storm surges hit areas where the ocean oor slopes gradually such as the Gulf of Mexico. SHALLOW WATER NEAR LAND FLOODING HU HURR RRIC ICAAAN NN A EEEEEEEEEEEEEE BBBOOOOOOOODY DY Y Water spirals downward N o rm a l h ig h tid e M e a n s e a le v e l The highest storm surge was 42 feet, Cyclone Mahina, Bathurst Bay, Australia, March 1899. Hurricane Katrina was accompanied by a storm surge of about 30 feet. O c e a n
o o r
A swirl of water is created when hurricane winds push water toward the eye. Sources: National Weather Service; The Weather Book; The World Book Encyclopedia; NASA; Divine Wind; staff reports 05 00 15 25 10 20 30 FT FLOOD LEVELS Minimal ooding. 5 feet at barrier islands, around Oso Creek immediate banks and head of Nueces Bay. CATEGORY 1 74-95 mph winds 9-10 feet at head of the bay. 8 feet at barrier islands CATEGORY 2 96-110 mph winds STORM SURGE MOST LETHAL ASPECT OF HURRICANES STORM SURGE FLOODING AREAS 44 P22 43 Nueces Bay Gulf of Mexico 37 181 286 361 S a ra to g a Y o r k to w n W a l d r o n W e b e r S P ID THE SEAWALL Highest storm tides in the 1919 Hurricane rose 10 feet. The Katrina storm surge was estimated at about 30-35 feet 10 20 30 The seawall steps start 2 feet below low water. Diagram is schematic. CATEGORY 1&2 CATEGORY 1&2 CATEGORY 3 CATEGORY 4&5 12X Sunday, May 18, 2014 CAL L E R-TI MES IF YOU HAVE TO EVACUATE ... KNOW WHEN AND HOW 624 665 35 35 37 10 10 181 283 281 281 77 59 44 16 16 359 123 285 San Antonio Austin Port Aransas Portland Sinton Beeville Refugio Kingsville Robstown Alice San Diego Freer Falfurrias Hebbronville Laredo Rockport Approximate mileage From Corpus Christi to: Austin/US77-US183 220 San Antonio/US181 140 San Antonio/State 16 140 Laredo 150 City ofcials ask evacuees to consider the travel path of the hurricane and the travel destination in choosing evacuation routes. 16 Potential contraow route If the contraow plan is activated, two lanes of I-37 southbound will carry northbound trafc. Route E Route C Route B Route D Route A Pleasanton Corpus Christi Sources: Texas Department of Transportation; City of Corpus Christi HOW TO BOARD THE WINDOWS Tools Drill with appropriate bits, hammer and wrench to t the bolts. Fastening to wall: Drill 2 inches from the outside edge of the plywood at each corner and at 12-inch intervals. Larger openings: If the opening is larger than one sheet of plywood, you will need to make shutters with 2x4 bracing in the middle and the bottom of the two sheets of plywood. Wood-frame houses For windows 3x4 feet and smaller use -inch lag bolts and plastic-coated anchors. The bolts should penetrate the wall or window frame 1
inches. For larger windows use 3 /8-inch lag bolts that penetrate at least 2 inches. Masonry houses For small windows use -inch expansion bolts and galvanized permanent expansion anchors. The expansion bolt should penetrate at least 1 inches. For larger windows use 3 /8-inch expansion bolts that penetrate at least 1 inches. Add 8 inches to both height and width of openings to provide a 4-inch overlap on each side of the door. Sheets of plywood are generally 4x8 feet. Use 5 /8-inch sheets of plywood. Many stores will cut them to order. Place plywood over the opening and mark each hole on the wall. Drill holes the appropriate size of the anchor. Install the anchors. Make sure on wood-frame homes that the anchors are secured in solid wood and not into the siding or trim. Label each shutter and bolts so you will know where they are to be installed. Source: American Red Cross; Federal Emergency Management Agency; Home Depot CHOOSING BOLTS CHOOSING PLYWOOD Holes at 12-inch intervals 4-inch overlap Window 5 /8-inch plywood Drill four holes in the center area of the plywood to relieve pressure. 2x4 bracing Holes at 12-inch intervals Two pieces of plywood Use eye protection and safety gloves. 44 358 286 361 P22 43 Corpus Christi Bay Nueces Bay Gulf of Mexico S a r a t o g a Y o r k t o w n W a l d r o n W e b e r S P ID Santa Fe Airline EVACUATION ZONES 37 181 77 Evacuation recommended for category 1 and 2 hurricanes Evacuation recommended for category 3 hurricanes Evacuation recommended for category 4 and 5 hurricanes Important tips Make a plan in advance Keep an emergency kit in your car Do not tow boats or campers Keep evacuation route map in your vehicle Take only one vehicle CAL L E R-TI MES Sunday, May 18, 2014 13X CAL351246 14X Sunday, May 18, 2014 CAL L E R-TI MES Tropical Storm Peak Hurricanes/Tropical storms Tropical storms Number of storms per 100 years Examples show approximate date storm occurred. Source: National Hurricane Center JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Katrina Charley Celia Agnes Dennis Andrew Jeanne Ike Hugo Opal Rita Gustav Ivan Floyd Wilma Frances Frederic Hurricanes/ Tropical Storms Tropical Storms HURRICANE YEAR CAT DAMAGE* 1 Katrina 2005 3 $108 2 Ike 2008 2 29.5 3 Andrew 1992 5 26.5 4 Wilma 2005 3 21 5 Ivan 2004 3 18.8 6 Charley 2004 4 15.1 7 Rita 2005 3 12 8 Frances 2004 2 9.5 9 Allison 2001 + 9 10 Jeanne 2004 3 7.6 11 Hugo 1989 4 7 12 Floyd 1999 2 6.9 13 Isabel 2003 2 5.3 14 Opal 1995 3 5.1 15 Gustav 2008 2 4.6 16 Fran 1996 3 4.1 17 Georges 1998 2 2.7 18 Dennis 2005 3 2.5 19 Frederic 1979 3 2.3 20 Agnes 1972 1 2.1 *U.S., in billions, not adjusted for ination +Only of Tropical Storm intensity, 39-73 mph winds. Category column indicates storm category at time of landfall. Source: NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC-6, The Deadliest, Costliest, and Most Intense United States Tropical Cyclones from 1851 to 2010. COSTLIEST MAINLAND U.S. TROPICAL CYCLONES, 1900-2012 GUL F OF ME X I C O ME X I C O T E X AS Corpus Christi PAC I F I C OC E AN AT L ANT I C OC E AN CAL L E R-TI MES Sunday, May 18, 2014 15X WHAT ABOUT YOUR PETS? ASPCA LISTS THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT: TIPS 1 Make an evacuation package. This should include an extra harness and leash, a crate, cage or carrier for each pet. Each device should include in permanent marker the pets name, pet owners name and emergency contact information. If the pet has behavioral or medical issues, include that information as well. 2 Keep three to seven days worth of food in a plastic, airtight container. Rotate food every two months. Food that needs refrigeration is not recommended. 3 Store at least seven days worth of drinking water for each person and pet in a cool, dark place and replace every two months. 4 Keep a roll of paper towels, liquid dish soap, and small bottle of household bleach in or near the pack. Also keep a package of garbage bags for clean-up. 5 Keep a copy of your pets medical records, feeding and medication requirements and recent photos of pet and owner together. 6 Extra water and food dishes. 7 Extra supply of pets medications and vitamins. Replace when expired. is should include an extra or carrier for each pet. Each ent marker the pets name, pet ntact information. If the pet has lude that information as well. of food in a plastic, airtight months. Food that needs d. of drinking water for ark place and uid dish soap, leach in or kage of al records, ments Identication: Cats, dogs, birds, and other large pets should always wear current identication. A collar and tags, band, microchip and tattoo are all forms of identication that will help increase the chances of pets return home should they become separated. Reptiles Pillow case, warming device (i.e. hot water bottle, heating pad), soaking dish. Small animals Salt lick, extra water bottle, small hide box or tube, seven days worth of bedding. Birds Catch net, heavy towel, cuttlebone, blanket or sheet to cover the cage, cage liner. Cats Pillowcase, harness, leash, blanket, toys, small litter pan and scoopable litter. Dogs Long leash, yard stake, blanket, toys, treats, seven days worth of cage liner (i.e. newspaper) The Safr-Simpson Damage-Potential Scale determines the strength of a hurricane by categories, 1 being the weakest and 5 the strongest. Any hurricane of Category 3 or stronger is consi- dered major. The scale was created by former director of the National Weather Center Robert Simpson, of Corpus Christi, and consulting engineer Herbert Safr in the early 1970s. CATEGORY 4 Damage: Extreme. Failure of roofs. Inland ooding as far as 6 miles cutting some escape routes. Damage to lower oors of structures near shore. Major erosion of beaches. Evacuation of all residences within 500 yards of shore possibly required. W in d s : 1 3 1 -1 5 5 m p h . Storm surge*: 13-18 feet. CATEGORY 5 Damage: Catastrophic. Very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors. Failure of roofs on many buildings. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned. Massive evacuation possibly required. W in d s : 1 5 6 + m p h . Storm surge*: 19+ feet. CATEGORY 1 Damage: Minimal. Damage to shrubbery, trees, foliage and unanchored homes. Low-lying coastal roads inundated, pier damage. W in d s : 7 4 -9 5 m p h . Storm surge*: 4-5 feet. CATEGORY 3 Damage: Extensive. Large trees blown down. Some damage to roong materials of buildings; some wind and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. W in d s : 1 1 1 -1 3 0 m p h . Storm surge*: 9-12 feet. *Surge values are for reference only. Actual surge depends on terrain, construction and underwater elevation. CATEGORY 2 Damage: Moderate. Some trees down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Some damage to roong materials of buildings; some window and door damage. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas ooded. Evacuation of some areas. W in d s : 9 6 -1 1 0 m p h . Storm surge*: 6-8 feet. 16X Sunday, May 18, 2014 CAL L E R-TI MES CAL351279