User:Hurricanehink/Effects of Hurricane Ivan in Florida
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The effects of Hurricane Ivan in Florida
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[edit] Preparations
On September 9, while the hurricane was located off the coast of Venezuela, the National Hurricane Center forecasted Ivan to make landfall on southern Florida as a major hurricane within five days.[1] As such, a mandatory evacuation was issued for all residents and visitors of the Florida Keys. According to newspaper reports, an estimated 50 percent of Monroe County residents evacuated the islands.[2] Its forecast track shifted westward, and by September 10 it was predicted to pass near the Florida Keys before moving ashore near Cedar Key after paralleling the state's western coastline; however, uncertainty was noted.[3] On September 12, a tropical storm watch was issued for the Florida Keys from the Dry Tortugas to Seven Mile Bridge.[4]
In the several days prior to Ivan making its first United States landfall, forecasters predicted Ivan to move ashore between Alabama and the western Florida panhandle. About 52 hours prior to its landfall, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch from Morgan City, Louisiana to St. Marks, Florida. About 34 hours before moving ashore, the watch was replaced with a hurricane warning from Grand Isle, Louisiana to Apalachicola, Florida, with a tropical storm warning further east to Yankeetown.[4]
[edit] Impact
[edit] Florida Keys and Southern Florida
The outer rainbands of Ivan produced a wind gust of 53 mph (86 km/h) on Key West; the winds downed some tree limbs across the Florida Keys, though the number of downed trees was limited by the passage of previous hurricanes Charley and Frances. While passing west of the area, the hurricane produced a 1 foot (0.3 m) storm tide. The mandatory evacuations prevented the delivery of products, which caused widespread fuel and food shortages at commercial establishments.[2]
[edit] Central Florida
[edit] Florida Panhandle
The maximum sustained winds recorded along the Florida Panhandle officially peaked at 76 mph (122 km/h) in Pensacola,[4] though officials estimate the hurricane produced winds of Category 3 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.[5] Wind gusts unofficially reached 124 mph (201 km/h), also at Pensacola.[4]
[edit] Aftermath
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Stacy Stewart (2004). Hurricane Ivan Discussion Twenty-Eight. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
- ^ a b National Climatic Data Center (2004). Event Report for the Florida Keys. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
- ^ Lixion Avila (2004). Hurricane Ivan Discussion Thirty-Three. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
- ^ a b c d Stacy R. Stewart (2004). Hurricane Ivan Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-02-02.
- ^ Hurricane Research Division (2006). Chronological List of All Hurricanes which Affected the Continental United States: 1851-2005. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved on 2008-02-03.
