Hurricane Catarina: A Very Strange Storm Not Seen Before or Since
On Friday, March 26, 2004, something happened in the South Atlantic Ocean that had never happened before: a hurricane formed. The following night, it made landfall and wreaked incredible havoc. Which is understandable, considering that the town of Torres in southern Brazil had not ever (at least on record) seen a hurricane, leaving its residents rather unprepared for the colossal impact.
Hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30—in the Northern hemisphere, that is. The southern Atlantic does not experience the massive storms of the north; only two tropical cyclones had ever been recorded in the South Atlantic Basin prior to Catarina. March in the Southern hemisphere is roughly equal to September in the North, meaning Catarina occurred during the peak of the season, if there were such a thing.
Brazilian meteorologists were so surprised by the storm that, initially, they refused to call it a hurricane. It was over a year later that they finally admitted as much. Forecasters in the North—due either to greater experience in identifying hurricanes or, perhaps, a bit less pride in the beautiful Brazilian weather—recognized it immediately upon seeing satellite imagery. The easy-to-spot eye-wall structure combined with spiraling outer bands and the warm temperature of the water identified this particular storm as a hurricane, despite the oddity of its location.
As the storm approached the state of Santa Catarina (which is how it got its name), its wind speeds surpassed 100 miles per hour, eventually peaking at about 110 mph, meaning it had achieved Category 2 hurricane status on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Upon hitting land over Torres, the storm quickly petered out, but not before inflicting heavy flooding. The area had been evacuated, but many shipyards were destroyed and housing was decimated, totaling about $350 million in damage. There were, fortunately, no deaths.
What are the Best Summer Jobs for Students in Evansville?
May 19, 2013 7:00 AM Ahh, the summer job. You slave away during your break so you can "save" your money and live easy during the school year. Yeah right! We compiled a list of the best summer jobs here in Evansville. If you know of any more, let us know!
Summer Camp Counselor
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‘Sad Cat Diary’ Offers Hilarious Insight Into the Mind of a Cat
May 19, 2013 4:00 AM As, you know, Jon refers to me as 'The Cat Lady' on the air. Just because I adopted my first cat a year ago and have since acquired 7 more, doesn't make me a cat lady. Or does it??? ;-) Ok, I know it would appear that I, if I'm not the cat lady NOW, I am well on my way. In the past year, I have become very in tune with cats and all of their personalities. Maybe that's why I love them so much and they, in turn, are drawn to me. lol
I found a video that gives a little insight to the mind of the sad cat (which is only ONE of their many personalities) Watch, learn and laugh!! It's seriously, hilarious!
Annual Book Sale at Willard Library Set for June 1st
The area's largest one day book sale will feature books from nearly every genre along with other materials for purchase.
‘Koalaing’ Could Be the Cutest Web Photo Trend Yet
Forget (if you haven't already) milking, planking, hadokening, any of those-ings that were internet fads for a hot minute. They've been replaced. They're done. Koalaing -- that's the trick o' the day. It involved clinging as tightly to a pole or tree as possible like a koala. It's pretty adorable. Check it out.
Chris Young Doesn’t Feel Pressure When It Comes to Fourth Album
With a string of No. 1 singles – 'Tomorrow' and 'You' from 2011's 'Neon,' and 'Gettin' You Home,' 'The Man I Want to Be' and 'Voices,' from 2009's 'The Man I Want to Be'-- there are expectations surrounding Chris Young's upcoming fourth album. But as for pressure? Pft. He's feeling none of that.
Remember When George Strait Went to Prison?
It was the wildest show behind bars, and George Strait was in the thick of it for one year in the early '80s. He wasn't the only one. Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Tom T. Hall … they all did time behind the walls of the Huntsville Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Dierks Bentley Says Third Baby Was ‘Kinda Planned, Kinda Unplanned’
Dierks Bentley, with decidedly shorter hair, spoke to a Jacksonville radio station during an appreciation event for the military and revealed how his wife Cassidy let him know that their third bundle of joy was on the way. The pregnancy, according to Bentley, was sort of a surprise, but not really.
Would Keith Urban Return to ‘American Idol’?
Most average people hate their jobs, toiling away to earn a wage and to make ends meet. It is a rare and precious few who get to do what they love for a living, and Keith Urban is one of those fortunate folks when it comes to being a judge on the embattled 'American Idol.' The singer and guitarist wants to return to his seat for Season 13 in 2014 and with good reason.
Deer Goes Crazy After Crashing Into a Bus
May 18, 2013 12:00 PM I have had my fair share of run ins with deer. Living in the country, it's just a way of life. You must, during the early morning hours and evening/night hours, constantly be on alert and have your eyes scanning the sides of the road.
Once, on a trip back to Indiana from Tennessee, a deer came inches away from slamming through the passenger side window of my car, injuring my son. Luckily, the deer hit the front of the windshield and rolled off the hood of the car. But in the case of this bus, it came right through the window and went crazy!!
Trick Shot Videos That Would Make LeBron and Tiger Jealous
May 18, 2013 8:00 AM Trick shot videos can be pretty amazing depending on how elaborate they are, which in some cases might even make you question their authenticity. The first Video is one of the most incredible basketball shots you will ever see featuring a guy falling from a 100-goot platform and dropping the ball through the hoop. The second video might be the greates trick golf shot ever and definitely a one-in-a-million shot.