标题: 四级飓风“伊莎贝尔”周五将袭击安魁两省南部,请注意人身安全。 [打印本页] 作者: muchswatch 时间: 2003-9-16 07:45 标题: 四级飓风“伊莎贝尔”周五将袭击安魁两省南部,请注意人身安全。 This week may start like a lamb, but it could go out like a lion.
That's because Southern Ontario and Quebec might have to endure the last gasps of Hurricane Isabel by Friday.
The Category Four storm is now stewing in the Atlantic and could make landfall between North Carolina and New Jersey on Thursday. It’s now boasting winds that are just under 250 kilometres per hour, meaning it can almost be listed as a Category Five storm, the most powerful ranking.
Although the raging weather might not have an impact in Atlantic Canada, it could target central Canada on Friday. An Environment Canada forecaster thought it could eventually move in to southern Ontario.
Isabel’s approach is causing some to look back warily at those that have come before her. In 1998, Category Five Hurricane Mitch killed approximately 11,000 people in Central America.
And in 1954, Hurricane Hazel raced through Ontario, claiming about 80 lives. But the province has taken precautions since then to protect us from similar weather assaults. “We have, from a weather service point of view, satellites and radar,” explained Dave Phillips from Environment Canada. “We can see these coming.”
Isabel might still make her presence known though with sustained winds of 60 to 80-kilometres an hour and three to four inches of rain.
If the forecast is correct, expect the worst of the storm to arrive in our area around noon on Friday.
What should you do to protect your property? Phillips says to take your lawn furniture or anything that could fly away, inside. And if there are dead tree branches around your home, cut them off.
Hurricane Categories
Ontario residents may not be quite as savvy about the differences in hurricane strength, because we've been lucky enough to just get a glancing blow from most storms over the past 50 years. Here's a look at what each ranking means.
Category 1
The least serious kind, with winds of 119-154 kilometres an hour. There could be damage to plants, trees and mobile homes, but most properties will withstand it with few problems.
Category 2
Next in line. Winds of 154-170 km/h. More damage to trees and plants, and some damage to older roofs. There could also be some minor flooding, especially in areas near the lake.
Category 3
Getting stronger and more dangerous. Winds reach 178-194 km/h. In addition to fallen trees, there could be damage to roofs, windows, and doors. Small buildings could be hit. And the flooding in areas near the lake would be serious.
Category 4
Where Isabel is now, although she should be considerably weaker once she hits the province. That means she could come ashore in the U.S. packing winds of 210-243 kilometres an hour. That's enough for severe damage to homes and trees, including roof collapses and structural problems. Flooding and beach erosion gets worse. Waves and flood debris could also cause harm. Evacuations of those near shorelines recommended.
Category 5
The monster of all storms, and one that Isabel just missed. Winds greater than 243 kilometres an hour promise extensive destruction to homes, buildings and trees. Massive flooding is also likely, with the complete evacuation of those near the shoreline the only real defence.
请注意人身安全。
[该贴被 版主muchswatch 修改于 2003-9-16 6:43:02]