Weather

• NWS Melbourne Weather Radar Loop
• Intellicast Florida Radar Loop
• National Weather Service Doppler Radar Loop
• The Weather Channel Doppler Radar Loop
• Satellite Imagery
• Intellicast Florida Visible Satellite Loop
• Sea Surface Temperature - Florida Coast
• Sea Surface Temperature - Florida Current
• Sea Surface Temperature Satellite Images
• Terrafin Sea Surface Temperature Charts
• Hurricane Information
• Weather Underground: Stuart Weather
• East Central Florida Coastal Waters Forecast
• Daily Tide & Current Predictions
• Global Lifeguards - Beach Information

• NOAA El Niño Page
• NOAA La Niña Page
• NOAA - Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly
• NOAA - Animation of Monthly-averaged Sea Surface Temperature Fields
• Current Animations of SST and OLR
• Welcome to the Gulf Stream
• The Loop Current
• NASA - Ocean Surface Topography from Space

Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. Hurricanes usually form between July and October. A hurricane is a tropical cyclone formed over the North Atlantic, E North Pacific, W South Pacific, and Indian oceans in which the winds attain speeds greater than 74 mph (121 km/hr). A tropical cyclone passes through two stages, tropical depression and tropical storm, before reaching hurricane force. An average of 3.5 tropical storms per year become hurricanes; one to three of these approach the U.S. coast. A hurricane is nearly circular in shape, and its winds cover an area about 500 mi. (800 km) in diameter. As a result of the extremely low central air pressure (around 28.35 in. / 72 cm of mercury), air spirals inward toward the hurricane's eye, an almost calm area about 20 mi. (30 km) in diameter. Deriving their energy from warm tropical ocean water, hurricanes weaken after prolonged contact with colder northern ocean waters, becoming extratropical cyclones; they decay rapidly after moving over land areas. 

Hurricanes cause high winds, heavy rains, flooding, storm surge, and may even spin-off tornados. The storm surge is the most dangerous and damaging part of the storm. The strongest hurricanes can cause water levels 18 feet above normal high tide. 

Hurricanes may be destructive but they play an important role in controlling the global temperature. By means of the large heat capacity and latent heat of evaporation of the ocean's water, they transport great quantities of heat energy into the heat-deficient higher-latitude regions. For every gram of water evaporated from the surface of the ocean, the hurricane gains 585 calories of heat energy. This adds up to an amazing amount of energy. The energy in one hurricane is greater than the energy consumption of the United States for the past 20 years. An atomic bomb explosion in the center of a hurricane would have no effect on the storm. The energy would be quickly sucked up through the eye and distributed throughout the system.

Tropical Disturbance - A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized convection--generally 100 to 300 miles in diameter-- originating in the tropics or subtropics, having a nonfrontal migratory character, and maintaining its identity for 24 hours or more. It may or may not be associated with a detectable perturbation of the wind field. In other words, a blob of thunderstorms.

Tropical Depression - A circulation at the surface of the water with a sustained wind speed of 38 miles per hour or less.

Tropical Storm - A cyclonic storm with distinct circulation having sustained wind speeds ranging from 39 to 73 miles per hour.

Hurricane - A severe tropical cyclone originating in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea, traveling north, northwest, or northeast from its point of origin, and involving heavy rains and sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or greater.

Saffir/Simpon Scale - A scale used to measure the strength of tropical storms.

• Hurricane Preparedness Checklist
• National Hurricane Center - Good Images
• National Weather Service - Hurricanes - Strike Probabilities and Updates
• Florida Radar and Satellite Images - Local Images
• A practical guide to hurricane tracking and plotting
• FEMA
• Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness

These contents can be assembled over a five month period on a weekly basis, and perishable items should be changed or replaced every six months.

For more information on assembling and refreshing supplies, contact the American Red Cross for their Disaster Supplies kit brochure.

Print Out This List And Keep It Handy!

Essentials:

• Battery-operated radio
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• (Do not include candles, which cause more fires after a disaster than anything else.)

Water: 3 gallons/person, minimum, in a food-grade, plastic container
Additional water for sanitation

Food: Minimum 3-day supply of non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration, or preparation, and little or no water, for example:

• Dry cereal
• Peanut butter
• Canned fruits
• Canned vegetables
• Canned juice
• Ready-to-eat canned meats
• Quick energy snacks, graham crackers
• Ready-to-eat soups (not concentrated)

First Aid Kit: (one for your home and one for each car)

• Scissors
• Sunscreen
• Thermometer
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex gloves (2 pairs)
• Tongue blades (2)
• Moistened towelettes
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• 2" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 4" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 2" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• 3" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Triangular bandages (3)
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes

Non-Prescription Drugs:

• Laxative
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Activated Charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies:

• Whistle
• Aluminum foil
• Crowbar
• Compass
• Paper, pencil
• Plastic sheeting
• Medicine dropper
• Needles, thread
• Signal flare
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Assorted nails, wood screws
• Pliers, screwdriver, hammer
• Plastic storage containers
• Heavy cotton or hemp rope
• Cash or traveler's checks, change
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Tape, duct and plumber's tape or strap iron
• Patch kit and can of seal-in-air for tires
• Map of the area (for locating shelters)
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water

Sanitation:

• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Personal hygiene items
• Feminine supplies
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Toilet paper, towelettes, paper towels
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)

Clothing and Bedding:

• Sunglasses
• Rain gear
• Hat and gloves
• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Thermal underwear
• One complete change of clothing and footwear per person

For Baby:

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Medication
• Powdered milk

For Pet:

• Food
• Leash, harness or carrier
• Records of vaccinations
• Non-tippable food and water containers

Important Family Documents:

• Copy of will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Copy of passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Record of credit card account numbers and companies
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Record of bank account numbers
• Inventory of valuable household goods
• Important telephone numbers

Family Medical Needs:

• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Extra eye glasses
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Heart and high blood pressure medication

Entertainment:

• Games and books