Gone are the Good 'Ole Days - Tybee Breeze

It’s already the 1 st of August and
with just 20 days until the arrival of
“peak” hurricane season, ARE YOU
READY??? Well if ya aint?? It’s your
own fault.
The Citizen’s Hurricane
Preparedness Program recently
presented by the City of Tybee was a most
informative and interesting event. Representatives
from various organizations that would play a key
role before, during and after a hurricane strike were
set up to pass out information and answer
questions. Paul Yuma of the National Weather
Service gave an interesting presentation on
22
Tybee Breeze
With Nancy Anderson
weather science, the role of the National Weather
Service and storm statistics. Despite the fact that
between 1850 and 2005 only 6 major storms have
come within 50 miles of Tybee Island, we are still
extremely vulnerable. Tybee’s shallow ocean
waters and surrounding creeks and marshes
contribute to a higher surge, as you have been
made aware of, by the recently placed signs
around the island, a category 2
storm would have a predicted surge
of at least 11 ft.
Most folks fear the wind, however
flooding is responsible for more
fatalities and costly damage;
likewise is the eye feared. The
weather systems surrounding the
storm are more damaging than the eye of the
storm; it does not need to be a major storm to
create havoc.
Tropical storm
Allison in June of
2001 produced 35+
inches of rain; 22
fatalities and $5
billion in damages.
The heaviest rains
are in the front of the
storm; tornados to
the west.
Who’s in charge? Clayton Scott of Chatham
County Emergency Management briefed the group
on how the shots are called as far monitoring the
storm, keeping municipalities informed and
advising. The CEMA does not issue an evacuation
order, that is left up to the Mayors of the
municipalities.
IT’S COMING! So what do you do? First of all DO
NOT wait until a storm is threatening to begin
preparedness. You should have your plan in place
for any disaster but definitely prior to the June 1 st
start of the hurricane season. CEMA or the
American Red Cross can provide needed
information to help you in creating your plan.
The plan should include: making all family