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NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter Squad: More Than Meets the Eye

Go Gulf States staff — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 22:15:00 +0000

As we hold our breath and hang on tight for our Gulf Coast friends in the path of Hurricane Helene, let’s take some comfort in knowing that NOAA Hurricane Hunters are on their side. This quick glance at the history of this part of the NOAA Corps shows how the aviators and scientists who work on the world’s most innovative weather fleet fly on both a razor’s edge and the leading edge of technology. – Editor

The howling winds, blinding rain, and violent updrafts of a hurricane are incredibly dangerous from the ground – but imagine flying a plane directly into the eye of the storm. In order to collect life-saving data and information, NOAA pilots, planes and researchers fly into the world’s worst weather. Hurricane Hunters pilot specially-equipped aircraft into developing hurricanes, risking their lives to track these treacherous storms.

Data collected by the agency’s high-flying meteorological stations help forecasters make accurate predictions during a hurricane. These predictions help hurricane researchers achieve a better understanding of storm processes, improving their forecast models.

On September 11, 1961, Hurricane Carla made landfall on the coast of eastern Texas, causing torrential rains and extreme wind gusts. Known as the most intense and damaging hurricane to ever hit Texas, Hurricane Carla is historically significant for another reason: It was the first tropical cyclone to have its entire life history recorded by research flights. Throughout its evolution as a tropical depression, cyclone, and eventual hurricane, Weather Bureau aircraft flew investigatory missions into the storm and tracked its growing intensity and the conditions of the atmosphere.

The meteorological data collected during the first few years of flights helped scientists worldwide gain a better understanding of hurricanes, the atmosphere, and how the two interact.

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Twists of Fate: How Hollywood Inspires Generations of Meteorologists

Go Gulf States staff — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:09:00 +0000

A ticket from a 1996 screening of the movie, “Twister,” superimposed over a tornado blowing through a large field. Photo: NOAA Heritage

Tornadoes are as much a part of hurricane season as hurricanes. The cruel 1-2 punch of post-storm twister spin-offs is something most of us would like to not think about. While the topography is very different, tornado reality is something that the coast shares with our Tornado Alley neighbors. Speaking of twister spin-offs, the current Hollywood hit, ‘Twisters’ involved NOAA tornado experts behind the scenes to to make the science as accurate and realistic as possible. NOAA logos, props and staffers as unpaid extras are visible throughout. This story – about how films like these stoke interest in weather science – is but one part of an excellent collection of tornado stories on the agency’s site. – Editor

This summer, a new blockbuster features severe weather as the ultimate super-villain. Tornadoes and tornado researchers play huge roles in the script of the new movie, Twisters, with a young woman facing both her fear of storms and her fear of miscalculating data as she follows dangerous cloud formations alongside a brash and handsome celebrity storm chaser.

The movie, released by Universal Studios on July 19, 2024, is a kind of homage to the 1996 movie, Twister. The original also mixed science, romance, and bad weather with a plot focused on two storm-chasing researchers on the brink of divorce who are forced to work together to collect novel data inside a tornado.

The 1996 movie has become a classic and is sometimes credited for increasing enrollment at some meteorology schools such as the one at the University of Oklahoma.

Keli Pirtle, a public affairs officer supporting NOAA’s tornado experts says that the first Twister movie influenced a lot of people’s careers. Nationally, bachelors degrees in meteorology increased by 47% from 1994 to 2004 and more than doubled by 2007. (Years later, critics even expressed concern that there weren’t enough jobs for all the fresh graduates.) offsite link

Some speculate that the new movie may eventually have the same impact as the 1996 movie.

Pirtle, who grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, was early in her own communications career when the first movie arrived in the mid-1990s. A few years later she would transition into the job supporting NOAA in Norman, including the National Severe Storms Laboratory and the Storm Prediction Center, helping communicate about the science there ever since.

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‘Deep South’ Curates the Latest Beach Reads, New Fiction, and Even a Rogue Shark Memoir

Go Gulf States staff — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:30:00 +0000

Our pals at ‘Deep South’ are known for reliably covering the Southern book beat. A few times each year, the online magazine publishes great reading recos, not to mention some terrific reviews. A solid half of this particular list of 28 tomes features settings in, or authors from, Gulf states. The entire list offers titles that reflect the dark drama, the charm, and the emotional humidity of the American South. While the list first appeared in May, many of the titles are still due for release late into summer. – Editor

SHARKS DON’T SINK: ADVENTURES OF A ROGUE SHARK SCIENTIST by Jasmin Graham

Sharks have been on this planet for over 400 million years, so there is a lot they can teach us about survival and adaptability. For example: How do sharks, which unlike other fish are denser than water, stay afloat? They keep moving. When Jasmin Graham, an award-winning young shark scientist, started to feel that the traditional path to becoming a marine biologist was pulling her under, she remembered this important lesson: Keep moving forward.

ATCHAFALAYA DARLING by Shome Dasgupta

The dream-like world of South Louisiana shimmers through one of its most original voices, author and Lafayette high school English teacher, Shome Dasgupta. This homage to Cajun culture contains local music scenes, crumbling homes, and creature comforts amid the convergence of wild hopes and rural spaces. Each story navigates the nature of memory, lost or found, sprinkled like spice into the red of the crawfish. While this collection often portrays immense grief – whether from hurricane winds or splintered dreams – each character clings to a love for place and the people who make it home.

THE DISSONANCE by Shaun Hamill

Terrifying signs and portents have summoned Hal, Athena, and Erin back to Texas, where their paths collide with Owen, a closeted teenager from Alabama whose aborted cemetery seance with his crush summoned something far worse: a murderous entity whose desperate, driving purpose includes kidnapping Owen. As Owen tries to outwit his new master, his new acquaintances reckon with how the choices they made as teens might connect to the apocalyptic event unfurling over the Lone Star State.

Time to catch up on your summer reading! Click through for the full list.

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🆘 🤲 Give ’Til It Helps: The Gulf Begins to Recover from Hurricane Beryl

Go Gulf States staff — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Beryl makes landfall on Jul 8, 2024 – Sandwich RGB image Via NOAA in the Public Domain

After causing calamitous damage across the Caribbean as a Category 5 storm, record-breaking Hurricane Beryl diminished to Tropical Storm status then regained strength overnight, and hit the Texas Coast in the early hours of July 8 as at Category 1 hurricane.

It’s the second named storm of 2024 and the earliest-forming Cat 5 hurricane on record within a calendar year!

While Hurricane Beryl hit Matagorda County, Texas as a Cat 1, it fortunately weakened to a Tropical Storm as it headed up Texas and beyond. Even at this strength, however, damage will be considerable. Relief efforts are underway. Over 2 million folks in the Houston area alone are without power, rubble needs clearing, supplies need distributing, and structures will need repairs. Click through the links provided to learn how you can help.

THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING THESE RESCUE AND RELIEF EFFORTS

Team Rubicon USA

Team Rubicon is a veteran-led, boots-on-the-ground, hands-on humanitarian operation that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. TR focuses on three areas of impact: Disaster Response, from mitigation to immediate response and recovery; Rebuild, to maintain the fabric of communities through resilient building methods; and International, providing emergent and surge medical services, WASH, and disaster risk reduction.

Team Rubicon Updates

Cajun Navy

The Cajun Navy is a network of volunteers that provides assistance to vulnerable populations impacted by natural disaster. Their Facebook page (linked below) will be the best place to find current information regarding supplies needed (diapers, canned goods, etc.) and real-time urgent needs, for whatever is required to complete their search and rescue efforts.

Cajun Navy Updates

Gulf Coast Rescue Squad

This organization provides search and rescue services for Brazoria County boaters in distress and other water-related occurrences such as recovering drowning victims. GCRS is an all-volunteer organization on call 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, providing free service to persons in Brazoria County, Texas.

GCRS Updates

East Harris County Empowerment Council

The East Harris County Disaster Needs Assessment is now open. This organization serves as a channel, networking with direct assistance and disaster relief organizations in the Houston area. They assist folks in crisis by evaluating the level of need, determining the most efficient path to resources, and connecting people with these assets.

EHCTX Updates

Catholic Charities of Galveston-Houston

Catholic Charities is providing limited, short-term financial assistance to Texas families who experienced loss from the storm. Disaster food boxes, cleaning supplies, and water are available while supplies last at locations listed on their website (use above link).

CCGHTX is distributing relief resources at their headquarters, Sat., July 13. Click to learn more.

Their previous efforts during recent year’s Gulf storms have effectively lit up their extensive collaborative networks across many faith communities in the region. Learn more and donate.

CCGHTX Updates

Brazoria County Off-Road Recovery

This volunteer off-road recovery concern is the official community automotive rescue group of Brazoria County. Member supported, BCOR is a Texas Nonprofit, a 501c(3) exempt organization, and does not charge the public for the services it provides. From rescuing vehicles stuck in the sand, mud, water, to helping with dead batteries or transport, BCOR is known across Brazoria County as the good guys that are there to help those in need.

BCOR Updates

Fleet of Angels

Fleet of Angels is an award-winning nonprofit that helps equines in crisis due to natural disasters and other major emergencies. They are currently offering temporary assistance for equines directly affected by Beryl. They help with funds for emergency hay, critical supplies, and vet care.

Fleet of Angels Updates

Crisis Cleanup

Check out this small group of volunteers, only open for large disasters. Crisis Cleanup is a coordination website for relief agencies whose goal is to connect survivors who need help to volunteer groups who can help with basic cleanup such as small tree removal, tarping, muck-out (removing mud, drywall, and debris from a home), hauling debris to the curb, etc.

Crisis Cleanup Updates

Thanks so much for helping in the wake of this record-breaking Gulf storm. Remember, every little bit helps! Do you have a favorite governmental, faith-based, or local and independent relief organization? Please let us know, and send us a note on our Contact Form. 🌊

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Projections for July 4th Travel Are In: 2024 Will Be Another Record-Breaker

Go Gulf States staff — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:10:00 +0000

The results are in: The annual projections for the 2024 4th of July travel season blow all previous year predictions out of the water! Over 5.6 million anticipated travelers in Texas and over 4.5 million in Florida indicate that the Gulf states are definitely driving significant numbers in these US estimates. With this year’s July 4 happening mid-week, our own site’s Independence Day event listings span the entire week and then some, with related happenings as early as June 28 and as deep into the calendar as July 10.

Click through to the entire AAA article for informative charts and some great tips to make your summer holiday travel a breeze! – Editor

AAA Texas projects 5.6 million people in the Lone Star State will travel over this Independence Day holiday travel period, a 5.2% increase over last year. Across the nation, AAA projects 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period.

“We anticipate this July 4th week will be the busiest for this holiday ever,” said Galen Grillo, Vice President and General Manager of AAA Texas. “Travel is in high gear this summer with more people not only booking domestic trips, but AAA travel advisors are seeing more international and cruise bookings as many people are taking bucket list vacations.”

Top Destinations

This July 4th week, travelers are cooling off in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska – and by the ocean! Seattle, Vancouver, and Anchorage are top destinations, and beaches in South Florida are in high demand.

In Texas, AAA Texas travel advisors say the top road trip destinations are Galveston, Corpus Christi, state parks, the San Antonio River Walk, as well as the large metropolitan areas of Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

Busy Roads

AAA projects 60.6 million people will travel by car in the U.S.

Transportation data and insight provider INRIX, says the worst times to travel by car before and on July 4th are between 2pm and 7pm. Drivers should hit the road in the morning, and travelers returning on Monday, July 8th should avoid rush hour traffic in the morning and afternoon.

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Turtle Power! Learn About the Real Heroes on a Half Shell During World Sea Turtle Month

Go Gulf States staff — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:31:00 +0000

Beach goers all along the Gulf know that early Summer is a great time for turtle-watching and turtle events. It’s also an important time to watch out for turtle mamas making nests to lay many, many eggs. The University of Florida’s Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research is the place to be to learn even more about these fabulous flippered friends on World Sea Turtle Day! – Editor

The University of Florida – Thompson Earth Systems Institute is celebrating sea turtles throughout June in collaboration with the Florida Museum and the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research. Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day with the Florida Museum on June 16, and explore more Sea Turtle resources by clicking through the link.

Why are Sea Turtles Important?

Sea turtles have been navigating our oceans for over 100 million years. They play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. Sea Turtles contribute to ecosystem health in the following ways:

Sea turtles contribute to the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs, providing habitat for a diverse range of marine life.
As both predators and prey, sea turtles are integral to marine food webs.
Sea turtles hold cultural, spiritual, and economic importance in many coastal communities worldwide.
Sea turtles attract Turtle-watching tourists to Florida’s beaches, contributing to the local economy.

Did you know that 90% percent of all sea turtles in the United States lay their eggs on Florida beaches? Therefore, the Sunshine State an extremely important place for the conservation of these endangered creatures! Sea turtles are a keystone species. They have been a vital component of healthy and balanced marine and coastal ecosystems for over 100 million years. In fact, sea turtle health can be a very good indication of ecosystem health.

Florida’s beaches and waters are home to five out of only seven sea turtle species in the entire world!

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How the 2024 and 2017 Solar Eclipses Differ – Totality Spoiler: 2024 = More

Go Gulf States staff — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 15:35:00 +0000

While the Texas Gulf Coast won’t have quite as perfect a vantage point for the April Total Solar Eclipse as it did for the October 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse, the region will be close enough to the path of Totality to experience quite a show. The last Total Solar Eclipse that crossed the U.S. happened in 2017. This year, things will be a bit different. NASA breaks down the differences between the 2017 and the upcoming Eclipse. – Editor

On April 8, the Moon’s shadow will sweep across the United States, as millions will view a total solar eclipse. For many, preparing for this event brings memories of the magnificent total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017.

In April, totality will last longer than it did in 2017. Seven years ago, the longest period of totality was experienced near Carbondale, Illinois, at 2 minutes, 42 seconds.

For the upcoming eclipse, totality will last up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds, in an area about 25 minutes northwest of Torreón, Mexico. As the eclipse enters Texas, totality will last about 4 minutes, 26 seconds at the center of the eclipse’s path.

This year, 99% of people who reside in the United States will be able to see the total or at least a partial eclipse from where they live.

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GulfCorps: An Investment in Conservation, Communities, and Coastal Habitats

Go Gulf States staff — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:05:00 +0000

Back in the day, when our kid was in college, we enjoyed following his adventures in AmeriCorps. The more we learned, the more we supported its mission of investing in community projects across the U.S. – not only benefiting those localities, but also providing AmeriCorps members invaluable skills and connection with others. GulfCorps has similar a similar mission while specifically focusing on the Gulf Coast. We’re excited to see how it develops and becomes part of the coastal conservation conversation. – Editor

From 2016-2021, NOAA received $9.2 million from the RESTORE Act to administer the GulfCorps program alongside federal and state partners on the RESTORE Council.

GulfCorps invests in the people along the Gulf of Mexico coast through a conservation corps program producing sustainable and lasting benefits to the environment, economy, and communities. The program provides short-term (less than one year) employment for local young adults, including veterans and those from underserved communities, as well as skills training and experience in jobs supporting local workforce development in the growing habitat restoration field.

GulfCorps trains and places participants to work on projects benefiting coastal habitat like wetlands, coastal forests, bogs, savannahs, oyster reefs, rivers, and streams. Through this work, GulfCorps participants receive field training that promotes career growth and future employment opportunities in conservation work. Projects include:

Remove invasive species
Plant native vegetation
Stabilize shorelines
Repair hydrology
Restore sensitive habitats
Support sustainable fisheries
Contribute to the recovery of protected resources
Other management actions in the Gulf of Mexico region

GulfCorps employed more than 500 participants from 2017-2023 in coastal habitat conservation and restoration in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Collectively during the first five years, these young adults completed more than 330,000 hours of service. They performed a range of conservation and restoration projects on local, state, and federal lands and waters positively impacting 22,500 acres of habitat.

From 2023-2025, the GulfCorps program anticipates engaging an additional 90 participants, and restoring more than 3,200 acres of habitat.

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The Perfect Valentine: Send Your Love a Symbolic Adopt-a-Manatee!

Go Gulf States staff — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:10:00 +0000

It’s that time of year, lovers! Don’t get caught up in that post-New Year’s Mardi Gras blurrrrr without first figuring out what you are going to do for that other important upcoming holiday: Valentine’s! Adopt-a-Manatee’s got you covered. Even if you have more than one beloved who is expecting something special from you… player! – Editor

Celebrate love in a unique and selfless way this Valentine’s Day with the adorable manatee, Florida’s beloved gentle giant. Save the Manatee Club continues to works to address the growing threats to manatees and their aquatic habitat. The club’s ultimate success, however, depends upon the involvement of caring, compassionate people as partners in their efforts. You can help manatees by spreading the love!

This Valentine’s Day, show your love for the special people in your life by symbolically adopting a real, living manatee for them from Save the Manatee Club. With over 30 unique manatees available for adoption, this heartfelt gift is sure to make a lasting impression. Each adoption package includes a personalized adoption certificate. Plus, each has an individual biography of a real, living manatee that has been studied by research teams in Florida.

All You Need Is Love!

Among the remarkable manatees available for adoption is Zelda. This lovely female manatee easily identified by the scars on her back that resemble the letter “Z.” These scars are a result of unfortunate collisions with boats, serving as a poignant reminder to boat slowly, especially around shallow seagrass beds, and to not alter the manatees’ natural behavior by giving them food or water.

Symbolic manatee adoptions start at just $25 and come with a one-year Save the Manatee Club membership. Plus, an award-winning manatee wall calendar, while supplies last! Become a member, and you will receive a quarterly newsletter, The Manatee Zone, providing updates on adoptable manatees and important manatee information. For a limited time, adoptions at the $35 level or above will also include a special gift.

By participating in the Adopt-A-Manatee® program, you are directly supporting Save the Manatee Club in its mission to protect all manatees and their habitat. Funds raised will contribute to emergency rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts, as well as education and public awareness programs. Additionally, the funds will aid in addressing the ongoing manatee mortality crisis on Florida’s east coast. Make a difference this Valentine’s Day. Give a gift that truly matters. Adopt a real, living manatee from Save the Manatee Club and help protect these gentle giants and their environment.

Please order by Wednesday, January 31, 2024, for delivery by Valentine’s Day. Manatee adoptions also make a great last-minute gift, as personalized adoption certificates can be emailed immediately!

All you need is love!

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Hey, Santa! Please Bring a Ho-Ho-Whole Lot of Gifts from Stuckey’s This Year

Go Gulf States staff — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:30:00 +0000

Stuckey’s mission statement, “Making Road Trips Fun Again!” is right up our alley. Our childhood memories are chock full of visiting Stuckey’s on family car trips up and down the South. These days, we stop along I-10 in East Texas; road trips aren’t complete ’til we grab some Hunkey Dorey. Go! Gulf States appreciates Stephanie Stuckey and the entire Stuckey’s crew for their support as we “coast” through this holiday season. – Editor

Well, folks, the most wonderful time of the year is now upon us. That means it’s time once again to make a Stuckey’s stop – whether online at Stuckeys.com or in-person at a shop – for everyone on your gift list.

At Stuckey’s, you’ll find gifts for all your family and friends – even those who seem to have everything.

For the roadtrippers on your list, why not get them a box of world-famous Stuckey’s Pecan Log Rolls? After all, what’s a road trip without ’em? (Vanilla 2oz. rolls and the 10oz. roll complete with cherry bits, make great stocking stuffers!) Stuckey’s Gift Shoppe bags in six different pecan flavors are also great for those who can’t wait to hit the road. And don’t forget a Stuckey’s travel mug so they can wash down those treats with their favorite beverage while on the go.

Teens will love the variety of hoodies and retro Ts to keep them “comfy cozy” and looking nostalgi-cool all year. And why not get yourself a “Merry Christmas, Y’all” T-shirt to keep you in holiday spirit all season long? Santa says you’ve been nice.

At work, your colleagues will love digging into the Stuckey’s Chockful Gift Tin at the annual party. And nothing will say you’re the best Secret Santa quite like the surprises they’ll find in the Stuckey’s Mystery Box.

Of course, there’s so much more to choose from, and you’re sure to find something for everyone. Make a Stuckey’s stop on the information superhighway today at stuckeys.com for all of your holiday needs.

Oh! And don’t forget to stock up on Stuckey’s snacks just in time for the Bowl games happening all across December and into the New Year!

Happy Holidays from Stuckey’s!

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