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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHurricane Cristina Just Set A Scary Record
http://m.motherjones.com/environment/2014/06/hurricane-cristina-eastern-pacific-el-ninoHurricane Cristina off the coast of Mexico. NASA/Wikimedia Commons
For the first time on record, the eastern Pacific basin has now had two Category 4 hurricanes before July.
Chris Mooney on Thu. June 12, 2014 11:40 AM PDT
Two weeks ago in the eastern Pacific hurricane basin, we saw Category 4 Hurricane Amanda, which was too strong, too early. Amanda was the "strongest May hurricane on record in the eastern Pacific basin during the satellite era," noted the National Hurricane Center.
And right now, the basin is host to Category 4 Hurricane Cristina, which follows on Amanda's record with a new one. The storm just put on an "extraordinary" burst of intensification in the last 24 hours, rocketing from Category 1 to Category 4 strength, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 150 miles per hour. And now that it has gotten there, notes the National Hurricane Center, we have another new record:
Cristina is the earliest 2nd major hurricane formation in the ern Pacific (reliable records since 1971) by 13 days, old record Darby 2010
Natl Hurricane Ctr (@NHC_Pacific) June 12, 2014
Adds encyclopedic weather blogger Jeff Masters:
This year is also the first time there have been two Category 4 hurricanes before July 1 in the Eastern Pacific. Prior to Cristina, the earliest second Category 4 hurricane was Hurricane Elida in 1984, which reached that threshold on July 1.
As I've noted before, the eastern Pacific basin tends to be very active in El Niño years. We are not officially in an El Niño right now, but the forecast for one developing this summer is now 70 percent. In this case, maybe the eastern Pacific is ahead of the forecasters in responding to the state of the ocean and atmosphere.
As of now, Hurricane Cristina is expected to travel eastward westward, harmlessly, out to sea.
This sank like a stone this morning
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025086500
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)survive for days.
malaise
(269,157 posts)Isn't that the truth - Hurricane Snowden
Uncle Joe
(58,389 posts)Thanks for the thread, G_j.
Kber
(5,043 posts)If the storm were named Christopher. Or Carl. Now those are serious sounding names.
kentauros
(29,414 posts)~snip~
In Texas, wind gusts as high as 170 mph (280 km/h) were observed in Port Lavaca. Additionally, several tornadoes spawned in the state caused notable impacts, with the most destructive twister resulting in 200 buildings severely damaged, of which at least 60 were destroyed, and 8 deaths and 55 injuries. Throughout the state, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes, 568 farm buildings, and 415 other buildings. Additionally, 50,723 homes, 5,620 farm buildings, and 10,487 other buildings suffered damage. There were 34 fatalities and at least $300 million (1961 USD) in losses in Texas alone. Several tornadoes also touched down in Louisiana, causing the destruction of 140 homes and 11 farms and other buildings, and major damage to 231 additional homes and 11 farm and other buildings. Minor to moderate damage was also reported to 748 homes and 75 farm and other buildings. Six deaths and $25 million in losses in Louisiana were attributed to Carla. Heavy rainfall occurred in several other states, especially in Kansas, where flash flooding severely damaged crops and drowned 5 people. Overall, Carla resulted in $325.74 million in losses and 43 fatalities.
Kber
(5,043 posts)I kid. I was trying to make reference to an article posted a few weeks ago that showed people don't take female named storms as seriously as male ones.
kentauros
(29,414 posts)Because anyone that has ever gone through a major storm doesn't give a shit what the storm is named. I doubt people going through Katrina or Andrew really thought much about the name of the storm as the winds and flood waters destroyed everything around them.
At least, that's what I'd say to anyone stupid enough to dismiss a powerful hurricane simply because it's named "Wilma"
TexasBushwhacker
(20,209 posts)There was a tree in the backyard that my dad said was "my tree". Unfortunately, he had to go outside during the storm and chop it down because it was hitting the power line. The power was out. We still had a gas stove, so my mom made popcorn.
kentauros
(29,414 posts)Good thing the power was out. Sorry to hear you had to lose a good tree, especially one that was "yours."
I was too young to remember anything about Carla, but still vividly remember Alicia (1983.) Our property used to have about eight post oaks on it (all of them over 80 years old) until a few years before Alicia. In some ways, it was good that a disease killed most of them, or our house surely would have been crushed, my bedroom going first.
I do remember watching the western sky lighting up blue as the wind drove the high-power lines together, making them arc. It was quite the light show (in addition to the mini-tornado that almost killed a maple tree in our backyard...)
And yet, Ike in 2008 was scarier
Geez, if the El Niño gets any stronger, look out.
Electric Monk
(13,869 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)I am sure though, I can (and I have engaged him here) find one here on DU who lives in my county no less.
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)turns into a major concern . California is in need for some water just not that much water at once