We appreciate SARE for bringing attention to National Geographic's program HURRICANE SUMMER. Below is an excerpt from their web site.

http://lists.ifas.ufl.edu/cgi-bin/wa.ex ... mp;P=19121

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Explore the Awesome Power of Mother Nature in National Geographic Channel's World

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- CHARLEY. FRANCES. IVAN. JEANNE. In the span of six weeks, four powerful hurricanes devastated the Caribbean and Florida, leaving behind thousands dead; billions of dollars in damages; and a relief effort that even eclipsed the one following the 2001 terrorist attacks. Not since 1886 have four major storms battered one state in such a short time span. But what factors contributed to this summer's unprecedented barrage of storms? And what's it like to come face to face with this relentless destructive power -- and live to tell about it?

On Tuesday, October 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, experience firsthand the fury of these violent storms as National Geographic Channel's "Hurricane Summer" takes viewers from the eye of these monsters to the personal stories on the ground. Meet a scientist who searches for clues by flying into these storms. Relive accounts of unimaginable loss and dramatic survival from Florida residents. And learn why a one-degree rise in water temperatures may have helped set in motion the forces that led to this historic season of destruction.

When hurricanes threaten, most people head for safety. But for NOAA hurricane expert Chris Landsea, the study of these deadly storms is his life. His goal is to measure firsthand each storm's destructive power in the hope that his work will help predict the path of its devastation. Landsea flew into all four storms that struck Florida, adding to his understanding of this hurricane summer and his terrifying prediction that this new active hurricane cycle could last another 40 years. In fact, as Landsea explains, scientists have confirmed that the Atlantic Ocean has warmed one degree, which many hypothesize is enough to create a catastrophic hurricane cycle.

The special also features a couple determined to beat Mother Nature. The Sigler family built their dream home in Pensacola Beach, FL, only to see it destroyed by previous hurricanes. Instead of abandoning their dream, this determined couple set out to build a hurricane proof house. After intense research and detailed design by a group of highly trained architects and engineers, the Sigler's built a massive, round "Dome Home," capable of withstanding winds of more than 300 mph. As Ivan approached, Mr. Sigler got permission to stay behind, and weather the storm. Taking an almost direct hit, Sigler tells of his experience, and how the "Dome Home" handled her first major test.

As the Atlantic Ocean calms for the time being, Floridians breathe a sigh of relief. But if weather experts are to be believed, this is just the beginning.

Based at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel is a joint venture between National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) and Fox Cable Networks. National Geographic Channel debuted to an initial 10 million homes in January 2001, and has been one of the fastest growing networks in history. The Channel has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available to more than 52 million homes. For more information, please visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel.

When Hurricane Katrina ravished the Gulf coast last week, I was in Montana. I could only watch with helpless horror as the coast braced itself for yet another strike. I kept hoping it was a nightmare that would dissipate upon awakening. Since we do not have a TV here, each morning I impatiently wait for my computer to boot up and deliver the most current updates via the internet. I never thought I could pray for a Category 3 hurricane, but when faced with Katrina's 175 mph winds, I prayed for an Ivan event. A year ago I would have denied the possibility of hoping for another Ivan. Obviously, I had forgotten about perspective. It's all about perspective. Ivan was truly Ivan, the Terrible. But, a Category 5 storm with 175 mile per hour winds churning on my doorstep gave me a different perspective.

As the hours progressed, disbelief became terror as the water continued to rise. Thousands are homeless; hurricane shelters are compromised; the situation is more dire than I dared imagine. My laptop screen failed to convey the magnitude of Katrina's wrath. Just last September I was in Montana watching footage of Hurricane Ivan's destruction on TV. When I actually flew into the area and saw the widespread damage, I was completely unprepared. Unless a person happens to be in the image of debris shown on TV, the picture fails to convey enormity of the piles. And the smell! The smell absolutely overwhelms the senses --- but cannot be shared with a TV audience.



When I finally did have the opportunity to watch the news coverage on TV, I felt the same residue of despair in my heart as I did when 9/11 happened. It’s a deep knowing that life will never be the same again, for any of us. I am aware that for many, time becomes relevant only in BK and AK. Katrina will divide their lives into Before Katrina and After Katrina. Ivan's reign as the event that defined my time was short-lived. Less than a year actually, who would have thought?

It's a week since Katrina irrevocably altered time. The incomprehensible situation continues to compound. From the lack of food and water; levees breaking; anarchy terrorizing the victims even further; deteriorating sanitation conditions; putrid stagnating water; deceased victims absent of burials; to the slow response time of federal aid, the situation becomes ever graver. Survivors of the actual hurricane must now survive the aftermath. Medication is running out for many of the refugees; there are reports of people still trapped in their attics; the unbearable heat facilitating the potential for diseases and deteriorating health conditions; and the heart-rending decisions to separate families to expedite evacuation.

The scenes are reminiscent of a disaster movie. It's likely if we saw all of this occurring in a movie, we would say, "It was over the top, too much, it could never be that bad." And like the survivors in the movies, small groups of people banded together to increase their odds for survival in a world gone mad. Some groups decided to strike out on their own to see if they could fare better being active instead of waiting on an organized effort by the government.

While the logistics of organizing a relief effort seem insurmountable, Hurricane Katrina was not a surprise. The government knew a storm was heading to the Gulf coast. Not just any storm, but a Category 5 monster bent on stalking its prey. True, no one knew exactly where she was going to strike, but there was a general location identified by hurricane watches and warning. And it was painfully obvious the communities affected would need help. And quickly.

Forces should have been mobilized and readied well before landfall. They could have been organized to respond wherever they were needed immediately after the storm subsided. It is not a surprise that water, food, emergency personnel, and military support were required after Katrina ripped through the coast. If, by some miracle, the disaster wasn't as extensive as anticipated, then gratefully, the readied troops could return to their previous duties. Obviously, people and supplies should have been ready to move ASAP to the affected areas.

A prominent politician recently stated, ""If we can't respond faster than this to an event we saw coming across the Gulf for days, then why do we think we're prepared to respond to a nuclear or biological attack?"

I guess that is what frightens me most – that the American public has been lulled into trusting that our government has its act together. A complacency exists because we assume that the government is organized and has a plan for catastrophic events. When the directors of FEMA and Homeland Security state they didn't foresee the problems and they were unaware of the situation in New Orleans (although the news networks spoke of little else), we, as the American public, should be concerned about their abilities to lead and protect us in a time of crisis. Thankfully, many men and women are helping where they see a need, instead of waiting for orders that may never come.

I salute the troops, emergency personnel, reporters, and volunteers who are, quite literally, in the trenches helping in innumerable ways. I am especially grateful that people have a means to have their voices heard and their stories told. MSNBC interviewed a therapist that said survivors need to be able to tell their stories over and over again to help their healing process.

Hours upon hours I spend at my computer mesmerized by the human stories that are emerging from the rubble. The spirit of the human species encourages me. Yes, there are stories of anarchy and gunfire. But, there are stories of neighbors and strangers sacrificing themselves to save another. A pregnant mother swims across dangerous waters to find help for her asthmatic son – Her healthy child was born after her daring swim. A six year old boy takes his five siblings and cousins by the hand and leads them to an evacuation bus after being separated from his parents during a helicopter rescue. He is six and very successfully takes responsibility for a five month old; a three year old; and three two-year olds. As the survivors emerge from the wreckage, stories of the heart and of triumph are being heard. Heroes do what they can when they can. Without a doubt, many will be unsung heroes with their stories unheard by the masses. Even so, their open hearts and courage changed the world.

Months after Katrina struck, we were still having survivors come to visit the Dome of a Home to see how it withstood Hurricane Ivan's assault. Most of them were shocked at how devastated our beach was a year after Ivan. You could see the light go off and then the despair creep across their faces as they realized that even a year later, their lives would not be "put back together." The realization dawning that it will take years to get back to normal (whatever that is) caused many to burst into tears. Empathy for their heartbreak coupled with my own exhaustion resulted in a river of tears being shed by all of us.
How do you survive? One second at a time. Eventually, you can survive a day at a time. Step by step you rebuild your life, hoping that Mother Nature will give you a reprieve for a while.

Please forgive my whining on the previous post, "Are You Kidding, Katrina?". I just find myself overwhelmed at the prospect of being slammed by yet another storm. In less than a year, we have been visited by Hurricane Ivan, Tropical Storm Arlene, Hurricane Dennis, and now Katrina.



Once again, I am in Montana while a monster storm looms in the Gulf. Last year, it was Hurricane Ivan that threatened and thrashed the Pensacola area. Now, Katrina sets her sights on the Gulf coast. I feel so deeply for those in the path of Katrina. Having faced evacuations so often in the last year, I can fully empathize with them. My concern is especially for the people of New Orleans. As well as being below sea level, they do not have the experience taught to us by Hurricane Ivan. It has been 40 years since a large storm has struck them. That's wonderful on the one hand, but on the other – if it has been a generation since a hurricane affected your family, the severe conditions can be underestimated.

Evacuation and hurricane preparation are far different now for the residents in my area than when I moved here 11 years ago. Gone is the complacency or illusion that it can't really be all that bad. For days before the storm makes landfall, gasoline is difficult to find and water is a premium commodity. Before Ivan, people prepared, but it was a more relaxed atmosphere. Now, it feels like everyone assumes that any hurricane will be another Ivan. I know I do. Much more trepidation is attached to the tropical storm season for me now than before last year's Hurricane Ivan.

The post traumatic stress was evident on the faces of Ivan's survivors as we prepared for Hurricane Dennis last month. Overwhelming despair and resignation resonated from the people I passed. Blank stares or streaming tears met my somber gaze.

If Katrina strikes as the monster she presents herself to be, the emotional trauma and scars will be evident long after the waters have receded. When people finally understand they may not have a home any longer and all of their memories have been washed away, the initial gratefulness for just surviving plummets into a deep grief. Grief for the friends you will know longer see on a daily basis; grief for the inability to have your support system near you in your greatest time of need; grief for the loss of your job; grief for the loss of mementos and pictures that have personal intrinsic value; grief for the life that will never be again because you are irrevocably changed.

And the thought that there are people without transportation to leave the city has me mortified. I am in a deep state of sorrow for the upcoming victims of this storm. It should be a human right to have a way to escape an oncoming storm that gives us several days notice.
Even this afternoon on Pensacola Beach, water was rising significantly. After Ivan, there was a set of construction posts that hadn't been seen in decades uncovered. Hurricane Dennis covered them up last month. Early this afternoon, they were uncovered half way again. So, we are definitely expected some storm waters to flow over the island --- yet again.

I am tired, stressed, and worried for my neighbors and friends. I know the Dome will fare as well as any structure out there, but I am sad to see my neighborhood become a debris pile yet again.


We are all now aware of the nightmare that was endured by those on the coast because of Katrina's unbridled fury. It's been a year and I can't help but wonder if anything would be any different if another storm of Katrina's mass were threatening the Gulf coast again. Would less people be trapped, would evacuations be more organized, would there be a plan to evacuate hospitals and nursing homes? We can only hope that lessons were learned and alterations were made at the government levels. Will there be facilities that will accept all members of the families evacuating (pets)?

I have read several stories about people who had to leave their pets, been fortunate enough to find them again, but cannot convince the adopting family to return the pet. I understand that the adopting family loves this animal they have adopted and obviously have big hearts to take in abandoned animals. BUT, to keep an animal from a family who has lost everything seems …. Well, let's just suffice to say: "Have some compassion, people!!!" The victims of the storm lost their lifestyle, their jobs, their homes. their sense of security, etc. To have a member of their family back would help restore some of what was lost.

CNN MEDIA COVERAGE: ANDERSON COOPER
08/26/2005 6:22 pm Central Time

Now for the Good News!!!

CNN called yesterday to inquire about using the Dome of a Home in this evening's broadcast of Anderson Cooper's program. The producer wanted a different slant to the usual hurricane rhetoric. Fortunately, the Dome of a Home offers an interesting perspective of building structures intended to alleviate as much storm damage as possible. We are encouraged that CNN is offering educational solutions to an obvious dilemma

Below is an excerpt of the "Hurricane Man's" web site. We thank him for including us in his information.

http://hurricane-man.com/

On August 28th, 2005, late in the afternoon in Waveland, Mississippi, I became the Hurricane Man, a title confered on me by a six-year-old boy who I overheard say to his mother, "What did the Hurricane Man say?"

He was nervous because his mother was, and she had good reason. Twelve hours out was the mother of all storms. Hurricane Katrina was bearing down on the western edge of Mississippi. Before it was all over, all was destroyed in Waveland and hundreds were dead, but a dozen Wavelanders thought of me as THE Hurricane Man. When I did, I launched this website and began to write with authority and conviction.

At first, I was very angry at the system and at the way coastal Americans deal with hurricanes. Much of that has been vented and deleted. What remains should be of great value to those who have good reason to be nervous about hurricanes.

Hurricane-Man.Com is a web based resource for anyone wishing to live in flood plains or areas of severe weather and does not wish to pick a fight with Mother Nature. You'll not find conventional wisdom being espoused here. In some cases, conventional wisdom and the wise by degree will be mocked here. The Native American and the fire ant will be lauded and applauded. Mother Nature, "Mom," has our respect and admiration. She certainly got our attention.