00:00We are up for a crazy Atlantic hurricane season.
00:05It may be even worse than that of 2005, the year that brought us Hurricane Katrina.
00:12That one took 1,392 lives and cost the country over $100 billion.
00:20Experts predict there will be between 17 to 25 total named storms.
00:26Some of these storms are about to become hurricanes, with winds reaching over 100 mph or higher.
00:33We're already seeing storms sweep across the country, bringing dangers like tornadoes, flooding, and hail.
00:40You gotta thank the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, for this.
00:45This complicated term has to do with El Niño and La Niña, the two giant forces that basically shape our world.
00:53Normally, winds in the Pacific Ocean blow west along the equator, moving warm water from South America towards Asia.
01:01This warm water is replaced by cold water rising from the depths of the Pacific.
01:06But during El Niño and La Niña, this usual pattern is messed up.
01:14El Niño is the warm phase of the ENSO cycle.
01:18During El Niño, the equatorial winds weaken, causing warm water to shift back towards the west coast of the Americas.
01:25This means less cold water rises to the surface.
01:29The weather in northern parts of the U.S. and Canada become drier and warmer because of it.
01:34But there are wetter conditions in southern states.
01:38In the Atlantic, El Niño weakens hurricane seasons, and it ramps up hurricane activity in the central and eastern Pacific.
01:46In Africa, it brings more rain to East Africa but less to southern Africa, West Africa, and parts of the Sahara.
01:55La Niña is the cold phase of the ENSO cycle.
01:59During this phase, the westward winds along the equator in the Pacific are stronger than usual, and they push more warm water towards Asia.
02:07And because of it, colder, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface along the Americas' west coast.
02:15These colder Pacific waters push the jet stream northward, giving us drier weather in the southern U.S.,
02:21but wetter and colder conditions in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
02:26La Niña also brings warmer winters to the southern U.S. and cooler-than-normal temperatures to the north.
02:32La Niña usually calms hurricane activity in the Pacific, but intensifies it in the Atlantic.
02:39In 2023, El Niño was in charge, and it took most storms up before they got to the U.S.
02:45But this year, we've switched to La Niña, and this lady brings us colder water in the Pacific
02:51and a pattern that lets storms move a little farther west and reach the Caribbean.
02:56And when they get there, they can easily move into the Gulf and affect Florida and other states.
03:02The upcoming intense Atlantic hurricane season also has to do with a strong monsoon season in West Africa.
03:09It creates moisture and waves off Africa's coast and can travel along the Atlantic and spur hurricanes.
03:16The Atlantic hurricane season runs from the 1st of June to the 30th of November,
03:21and most activity happens between mid-August and mid-October.
03:25Since the 1950s, tropical cyclones have been given names to make it easier for meteorologists to inform the public about them.
03:32You're more likely to remember that Leslie is coming than Hurricane X-34-D is on the way, right?
03:39So there are 20 names on the alphabetical list this year, from Alberto to Beryl to Valerie and William.
03:47Let's hope it won't get as terrible as the Galveston hurricane.
03:51The most fatal natural disaster in U.S. history hit Texas in the year 1900.
03:57A Category 4 hurricane smashed into Galveston, demolishing over 3,600 buildings with winds over 135 miles per hour.
04:07It took the lives of between 70 and 80 people.
04:11One of the reasons it became so fatal was poor communication policy.
04:15Days before the disaster, it was clear to a professional weather forecaster that the storm was moving west.
04:21But the Weather Bureau in Washington predicted it would go over Florida and up to New England, which was way off.
04:28The Bureau was just 10 years old then, so hurricane science in the U.S. didn't know what to do.
04:35Cuban scientists were excellent at tracking storms because their region is so prone to them.
04:39So they knew it was heading towards the Gulf of Mexico.
04:42Unfortunately, the director of the Weather Bureau was so jealous that the Cuban forecasters were better than the American ones
04:49that he cut off the flow of information from Cuba and made it difficult for local forecasters to issue warnings.
04:56In the days before the storm hit, the chief observer in Galveston began to suspect that Washington's forecast was wrong
05:03and tried to warn the city, but it was too late.
05:07The hurricane left Galveston in ruins.
05:10After this hurricane, the Weather Bureau started improving communication both internationally and internationally.
05:17The officials in charge are doing everything possible to improve forecasts, support the people,
05:22and help the affected areas recover more easily after the hurricanes hit.
05:26They're going to try new forecast models to predict tropical cyclones getting stronger,
05:31help emergency and water managers prepare for the next storm,
05:35and help the city prepare for the next storm.
05:39Coastal weather buoys in the tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean have been upgraded,
05:43and new drifters and sail drones, underwater gliders, and a lightweight drop sonde will provide real-time data.
05:50There are also some things you can do to ensure your safety before, during, and after a storm.
05:56For example, you can use a GPS tracker to track your location.
06:00If you live in a hurricane-prone area, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas,
06:04you must always be prepared before the high storm season.
06:08Make up a family disaster plan that will outline your actions during an emergency.
06:13Map out several evacuation routes in case your primary one is blocked,
06:18and decide on a meeting place if you get hit by a hurricane.
06:21You can also use a GPS tracker to track your location.
06:25Map out several evacuation routes in case your primary one is blocked,
06:28and decide on a meeting place if you get separated.
06:31You can arrange drills to teach family members how to shut off water, gas, and electricity,
06:37and even make sure the youngest knows how to call emergency services.
06:41Pack a disaster kit that will be ready to go at a moment's notice.
06:45It should include essentials like food, water, a first aid kit, and flashlights to last at least 72 hours on your own.
06:54You can buy a generator to make sure you have electricity in case of a power outage until the power returns.
07:00Keep it in a secure place, away from rain and rising water, with proper ventilation.
07:06You're also going to need self-powered radios and flashlights.
07:10If you can, add a safe room to your house that's strengthened to withstand high winds
07:15with reinforced concrete ceiling, floor, and walls.
07:19Make sure you have enough canned and non-perishable food and bottled water for at least three days.
07:28When the storm is about to hit, head north to get away from it,
07:32where it will be much weaker by the time it gets there.
07:35It's much safer to keep your family and pets together away from the storm than trying to ride it out at home.
07:41Try to go in one car if possible.
07:44Always follow local evacuation orders, especially if you're in a mobile home.
07:49Fill up your gas tank and give yourself plenty of time to get out.
07:53Never leave your pets behind.
07:55Debris, floodwaters, or flying objects can be dangerous for them.
08:00If you're staying put during a storm, you need a safe spot for you, your family, and your pets.
08:06This place shouldn't have any windows or skylights.
08:09If you're hiding at home, close all interior doors and secure the exterior ones.
08:14Quickly find an interior room with strong walls and no windows, like a bathroom or a closet.
08:20If your home isn't safe, look for a community shelter.
08:23Get to your shelter at least two hours before the storm hits so it doesn't catch you outside.
08:28Bring a battery-powered radio with extra batteries for updates every 15 to 30 minutes.
08:34Never leave your shelter even if it seems calm, as conditions can get worse quickly,
08:39especially if you're in the eye of the storm.
08:42For extra protection, lie on the floor under something sturdy like a table.
08:47Don't use electric appliances, phones, or showers during the storm.
08:51Don't leave your shelter until you get the official all clear from the authorities.
08:56Be careful. There will be many hazards outside.
09:01That's it for today!
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