Do you need hurricane shutters? Find out now!
When there is a threat of a storm or a hurricane, you usually find shelter in your home, right? However, as you may have noticed, recent meteorological phenomena have been so strong that the windows and doors of your house may not be enough to keep you safe and sound anymore. To guarantee the safety of your loved ones and your own, it is crucial that you consider getting new forms of protection such as hurricane shutters, storm panels or a hurricane fabric shield.
Here are some questions to help you decide which hurricane protection is best for you:
1. Do you live in a tropical place, near the beach and with a hot and humid climate?
The first thing that you need to consider is the area where you live. If your home is near the ocean and / or in an area with tropical or subtropical weather, you are more likely to be hit by a cyclone. Then yes! Your home needs hurricane shutters!
2. How close ti the coast is your home?
We have already established that it is highly recommended to get hurricane protection if you live near the beach. Now it’s time to decide the material that your storm panels should be made of. Aluminum shutters, polycarbonate blinds or hurricane fabric panels? If your house is right on the beach or steps away from the coast, we recommend aluminum hurricane shutters for you. Their rigidity and resistance will be of great use to face the raging winds and projectiles that storms can bring with them. If you want to have the same level of protection provided by aluminum but you don’t want to block sunlight, your best option is our polycarbonate storm panels. For homes located in the middle of a beach city, relatively far from the sea, our hurricane protection fabric shield may be a discreet and reliable alternative.
3. How big are the windows of your home?
Another aspect that must be taken into consideration to choose the right hurricane protection for your house is the size of your windows and your doors. See the solution recommended for each window size in the table below:
| Size of the window | Product recommended |
| Any size | Hurricane fabric shield |
| Large (less than 16 feet wide) | Aluminum shutters |
| Medium (less than 12 feet high) | Aluminum or polycarbonate shutters |
| Small | Any product |
Now that you know how our products can protect your home against hurricanes, you might be ready to speak with one of our advisors to receive personalized assistance.
Please fill out our contact form!We will contact you as soon as possible to answer all your questions. If you want to continue reading about the different hurricane shutters and storm panels that we have available, check out these posts
However, if you prefer to learn more about the different hurricane protections that you can choose from, you can continue reading our posts:
Shutters: Your best allies against storms and hurricanes
Storm protection: Stormcatcher Buyer’s Guide
Hurricane shutters: Why have them at home?
The most frequently asked question from our potential clients is “Why should I install hurricane shutters at my home?”. Although the answer to this could be as simple as “To protect your home from storm winds”, the truth is that hurricane panels provide you with more benefits than you may think.
Here’s 5 reasons why you should get hurricane protection ASAP:
Why have hurricane protection at home?
1. They stop all kinds of projectiles
Being nearly as strong as steel, hurricane shutters can stop almost any object thrown by the winds towards your doors or windows. In other words, having them will turn your house into quite an impenetrable bunker. Just wait calmly for the cyclone to go away, knowing that neither the winds, the rain or any object will fly into your home.2. They are easy to install.
Isn't installing and uninstalling wood panels to protect your house quite a drag? And you have to do it every time there is a storm warning! So many homes are left unprotected for this reason; if anything, a big “X” of duct tape ends up on every window. Thanks to hurricane shutters, protecting your home from storms can be as simple as pulling a curtain, turning a handle or pressing a button. Stress, be gone!3. Discreet and easy to store
Since they are installed to the sides of doors and windows, hurricane shutters do not require much storage space. A few inches on each side are enough. You just have to fold the blinds or roll them up to store them until you need them again.4. Durable, reliable and environmentally friendly
Unlike wood, tape and other makeshift forms of hurricane protection, storm blinds have a long service life, and they can be reused for many years! Plus, by no longer using wood or plastic tape, you'll help reduce deforestation and pollution.5. Light or dark inside, it’s up to you
One of the greatest advantages of having hurricane shutters is that you can choose whether or not you want natural light in your home. Aluminum blinds, when closed completely, will not allow even a single ray of sunlight to enter. On the other hand, transparent polycarbonate hurricane shutters will let the light in during the day and will allow you to see what is happening outside your home. Now that you know some of the most important features of storm shutters, you might be seriously considering having an expert help you choose the protection your home needs. Please fill out our online form to leave your contact info! We will get back to you shortly.
The invisible consequences of climate change.
Beyond emergencies related to meteorological events, there is a silent factor that is taking center stage in the face of climate change. Learn more in this article.
How do they affect the media?
The discrepancy that exists in the media, when communicating the news about climate change, is one of the factors that has most attracted attention in the area of psychology. Indeed, there has been an increase in research relating the consequences on people's mental health after an extreme meteorological event. This is due to the uncertainty that causes, in the perception of people, the contrast in the information received.
On the other hand, stress levels can be increased by environmental conditions. For example, it can increase violence, aggression in people and the number of suicides due to a natural disaster. One of the most significant psychological impacts is the tendency to perceive vulnerability more closely. This can be associated with geographic location, economic variability, social status, among others.
How to approach the silenced?
To address this agglomeration of events in a healthy way, there is a key word: adaptation. However, on psychological issues, it is of utmost importance to consider the social context of each country. In this sense, it is crucial to unite the disciplines to promote the sustainable development of a nation. The investigations cannot remain only in a magazine; it is necessary that they reach society with a common language.
This would make it possible to reduce the educational gap and, therefore, take concrete actions by the citizenry. In addition, social principles must be fundamental pillars within climate change laws. Finally, the need to consider actors from different humanistic perspectives in the resolution of this type of situation becomes imperative. Here we need everyone's contribution to live adapted to a new planet.
HOW CAN HUMANS INFLUENCE THE INTENSITY OF HURRICANES?
In the las decades, numerous studies have suggested that global warming could increase the number and intensity of tropical cyclones. However, recent research has shown that human emissions of greenhouse gases should already have caused a small increase on the intensity of tropical cyclones worldwide. But while there has been an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the oceans have clearly warmed in recent decades, the global trend in the strength of tropical cyclones, does not coincide with the increase in these factors.
SCENARIO
In the view of this large puzzle of factors with big uncertainties that influence the potential intensity of tropical cyclones, NOAA produced simulations considering four different scenarios:
- What happens if we had never started burning fossil fuels (without greenhouse gases, without aerosols?
- What happens if we emit greenhouse gases, but not aerosols?
- What happens if we emit aerosols, but not greenhouse gases? and
- What is the scenario considering greenhouse gases and aerosols?
Beginning with the simplest scenario: if we hadn´t experimented with burning fossil fuels, the sea surface temperature and the potential intensity of the cyclones would have remained approximately the same approximate since 1850 until now. But if we look at what happens with the greenhouse gases and aerosols, so, the reality scenario 4) the surface sea temperature has clearly increased, but the potential intensity of the tropical cyclones has not. It has fluctuated slightly but we have not seem the same clear upward trend in the sea surface temperature until the past 2 decades. When we look at scenarios 2 and 3 things get very interesting. The computer model shows that the warming the warming provided by the greenhouse gases at the sea surface temperature is 2 to 3 times greater than the cooling effect of aerosols.
However, the increase in the potential intensity caused by the greenhouse gases is almost the equal to the decrease caused be aerosols.
In spite of the aerosols action, acting against greenhouse gases effects, the published study in the magazine “Natural Hazards” showed that, in the absence of a strong decrease of these gases emissions, the potential futures strength of greenhouse gases will dominate each time more the impact of aerosols, which will lead to substantially major increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones.
When we look at scenarios 2) and 3) things get very interesting. The computational model shows that the warming provided by greenhouse gases at sea surface temperature is two to three times greater than the cooling effect.
Creditos: Meteored.com.ar
Hurricane Dorian forecast: Errors and achievements
Dorian devastated everthing he found from The Bahamas to Canada. The national Hurricane Center studied the strom´s formation and development, and how well meteorologists predicted its trajectory and intensity.
What was the verdict?
Dorian became a tropical storm on August 24, 2019 in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, crossed the Eastern Caribbean Sea, passing through the Virgin Island and Puerto Rico. But this was just de beginning of a journey that would last 15 days and would leave thousands of victims.
The Trajectory
The storm started as a small disturbance in the Caribbean area with dry air, which tends to weaken possible hurricanes. The European numerical model, the most reliable in recent years, could not predict its genesis and the GFS model predicted that it would form much further east. Also, when the storm began to take shape, forecasters did not agree on where the center of the storm would be. "Dorian´s forecast was extremely difficult because we were tracking 3 centers" said the specialists.
One of the first paths for Dorian was that it was going to cross over “La Española” and “Puerto Rico” where it was expected for the mountains to dissipate the storm. Another forecast showed him going to Florida. The surprise came when Dorian formed and turn to the right interacting with warmer water. Thanks to this, the storm was able to quickly intensify into a hurricane, resulting in a lack of warning, which would have been necessary for some of the islands at its path, according to the report.
The intensification
After the consolidation stage, forecasters were able to predict the storm´s trajectory without major difficulties. However, they failed in determining its intensity. There was no indication that it would strengthen into a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 180 m/h, even less that it would stop at the Bahamas for several hours.
Another big dilemma for the meteorologists was whether or not to issue warnings for The Florida. Forecasts showed that the storm´s trajectory was heading north, avoiding the state. But taking into consideration previous mistakes, there were great doubts. They saw an advantage in what had not been able to predict. The storm was not moving fast, and if it deviated from the predicted trajectory, there would be time to issue warnings.
In the end, Dorian effectively took a turn northward as planned, and this successful forecast saved Florida residents and its government a lot of money on unnecessary evacuations.
Be a Force of Nature.
Every year, people in this country and in many others are killed or seriously injured by all kinds of extreme weather, despite previous warnings.
In StormCatcher we develop community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events. As part of the Weather-Ready Nation iniciative, NOAA and along with its parrtners wants to motivate individuals and communities to take actions that will prepare them in the event of a weather disaster.
However, NOAA and its partners can´t do it alone. A key member of the team is the public. That is why we are encouraging everyone to do their part. We ask everyone toBe a Force of Nature“.
Be a Force of Nature by knowing your risk, taking action and being an example in your community.
KNOW YOUR RISK
Hurricanes, droughts, tornadoes, snowstorms, flooding - severe weather impacts every part of the country. The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that an affect whaere you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. What you can do.
- Stay informed of the latest CONAGUA weather forecast.
- Follow official information media such as the National Weather Service Facebook y Twitter.
- Develop an eviction plan.
TAKE ACTION
Be a Force of Nature by making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes creating a disaster supplies kit and making sure that you can receive emergency messages.
- Prepare a supply kit. Make a list of items to replenish your hurriane supplies and start getting them before hurricane season begins.
- Get verification of your insurance. Keep inmind that homeowne´s insurance policies do not include flood coverrage. Flood policies require a 30-day waiting period!
- Strenthen your home. Make sure it is under lical building codes. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the house, and it needs to be able to resist strong winds.
BE AN EXAMPLE
Be a positive influencie on your community b sharing your weather preparedness story. "Be a Force of Nature" by letting your friends and family kwon what you did to become weather-ready it is very important to ask your friends and family if they are already prepared. What you can do.
- Ask your friends and family if they are ready. On many occasions it happens that our close relatives have not prepared, so it is important to share your actions to take.
- Help your neighbor. Many people, and especially the elderly, depend on the assistance of their neighbors before and after the hurricanes.
- Complete yout written plan. Writing a plan will help you avoid mistakes when you face an emergency and will ensure that everyone in your home is prepared for the next storm.
Credits: NOAA
uncapped heroin from Hurricane Dorian.
Chella Phillips saved 97 dogs from dying.
As everyone knows The Bahamas has been viralized by that intense hurricane Dorian , a hurricane that will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most devastating hurricanes so far in the Hurricane Season 2019 . You know now that the passage of the hurricane destroyed people's homes, flooded the streets and caused the death of at least five inhabitants.
Given the authorities' warning that the weather phenomenon would hit the Caribbean islands, residents prepared as best they could, bought groceries, and took refuge in shelters or their homes. But a woman named Chella Phillips worried not only about keeping her safe, but about street dogs that would have no place to shelter.
He opened the doors of his home to 97 ownerless canines so that they could be safe during hurricane storms.
CHELLA PHILLIPS.
Chella Phillips had to share her room with 79 dogs, but that was the easiest part of having rescued them. Keeping them and their brother who accompanied her in their shelter safe was difficult. The first night Dorian's eye fell on the Bahamas, rain began to flood his home. They used three pumps to drain the water but it was not enough and the liquid exceeded them . After an hour of relentless trying, all of the machinery had overheated and burned, so they had to try to scoop the water out, but they failed entirely.
They ran out of services and their TV broke down from the lightning of the storms that hit the area, so she couldn't use the cartoons to entertain the dogs that were inside her house, and she won't be able to do until you get a new one.
Despite the complications experienced, the Chella was able to keep the 97 dogs safe, with food and water.
For eleven years, when she moved to the archipelago, she has been dedicated to helping street animals and four years ago she opened the refuge. During that time, with his own money and donations, he has managed to help 1,000 street dogs.
Who says that a Tropical Storm is not dangerous?
Who says that a Tropical Storm is not dangerous?
Many people normally when listening to "tropical storm" think that it is not something to which we must attribute so much attention or that represents a danger to our family or that threatens our home and / or business, we simply pay attention to it when we find out of the approach of a hurricane; but big mistake, this time this is an example of a tropical storm that triggered tragedies.
The tropical storm #Fay on August 15, 2008 penetrating from the east and leaving from the south (Haiti). Fay the sixth tropical storm of that Atlantic Hurricane Season , has already left victims. A woman has drowned and her two children have disappeared when a stream overflows in the municipality of Higuey, in the east of the Dominican Republic, due to the intense rains caused by the tropical storm " Fay ".
The heavy rains that fell on the Dominican Republic and kept much of the nation on high alert, 2,230 people were forced to take refuge in shelters in the capital of the country, Santo Domingo, and affected 446 homes. Throughout the day, the storm Fay was then that it began to move towards Haiti.
The 32-year-old fatality lost his life when he and his husband and two children attempted to cross the overflowing “Chau Chau” stream in a vehicle. The husband survived, but his two children were taken from him and swept away by the current ...
The director of civil defense reported
Hurricane Manuel 2013
Although it was only category 1 , Manuel left 123 dead , 97 of them occurred in an avalanche in the community of La Pintada, Guerrero . It was also brutalized with Coahuila , Chihuahua and Durango . In addition, there were more than 59 thousand evacuees and at least 218 thousand 594 people affected . Economic losses were estimated at $ 242 million .
On September 13 in the morning the tropical depression No. 13 of the Pacific Ocean was generated, which was formed from a low pressure off the coast of Guerrero that finding favorable conditions led to a tropical depression Thirteen , which started with sustained winds of 55 km / h , gusts of 75 km / h and moving northwest at 6 km / h .
During the day 14 , the tropical storm " Manuel " began with a stationary period and then began its course heading north, moving smoothly erratic while increasing its strength off the coast of Guerrero and Michoacán , causing a wide area of dense cloudiness, whose rotation favors the significant entry of moisture into the southern and western states of the country.
On September 15 , around 2:00 pm, the tropical storm " Manuel " made landfall over the City of Manzanillo, Colima with maximum sustained winds of 100 km / h and gusts of 130 km / h , when advancing on land, the system began to lose strength due to which at 22:00, was already in the vicinity of the population of El Limón, Jalisco, as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 55 km / h , gusts of 75 km / h and moving northwest at 13 km / h
At 01:00 a.m. September 16 , the tropical depression " Manuel " was located 25 km northeast of Tomatlán, Jal ., moving northwest at 13 km / h, very close to weakening at low pressure. At 4:00 on the same day, DT “ Manuel ” was already at sea again as a low pressure remaining with maximum sustained winds of 45 km / h and gusts of 65 km / h.
The low pressure, remaining from " Manuel " continued its journey to the northwest and on September 17 in the afternoon, when it was 120 km west-southwest of Mazatlán, Sin., Regenerated to a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 55 km / h and gusts of 75 km / h , the same force with which it was maintained until morning of day 18 , when it developed for the second time in its path to a tropical storm, being 160 km south-southwest of Culiacán, Sin., with maximum sustained winds of 65 km / h and gusts of 85 km / h.
While gaining strength, the tropical storm “Manuel” began to enter the southern part of the Gulf of California and at 7:00 p.m. on the 18th, when it was 180 km south-southeast of Topolobampo, Sin., It intensified to hurricane acquiring maximum sustained winds of 120 km / h with gusts of 150 km / h , strength with which it was maintained until 19 September at noon, when it touched the Sinaloa coast; upon touching land, “Manuel” began to lose strength, so at 13:00 it was located 65 km north-northeast of Altata, Sin., as a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of 100 km / h and gusts of 120 km / h.
"It was very maddening because we didn't know what was happening, but when the energy came back it was worse because we knew that everything was closed and we couldn't leave Acapulco."
Esther Jiménez.
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