The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-06-08
HURRICANE WARNING SERVICE
NOW BECOMES VERY EXTENSIVE

Aut5 anu Warning SCAAASNJ ouOWAAt
the nature and behavior of tropi-
cal storms, and the importance
Of public cooperation, has grown
to be quite an extensive PROPOSE
ton. 1t is shown that the
Weather Bureau is the only in
stitution in the United States
authorized by law to issue warm
ings and advices of storms and to
collect weather reports for that
purpose. The authority is com
tanned in an act Of Congress APP
proved February o, 1870.
In the more than so years since
that date, the Weather Bureau
has advanced its knowledge of
tropical storms by the research
and experience Of it's technical
experts and has extended and inn
proved its hurricane-waFning
service by taking every advantage
of developments in telegraph and
radio communication as an aid in
securing as full and quickly dis
patched information from shore
stations and ships in storm areas
as is humanity possible.
Issued Regularly
Warnings and advices Of the
Weather Bureau in connection
with these storms are issued as
frequently as conditions warrant
and the information disseminated
is as accurate and complete as Isl
possible with reports at hand,
which are speedily secured from
every available source IN the re-
gions affected. The Weather
Bureau assigns only its most ex-
pert and experienced forecastersI
to the duty Of issuing adviees and
warnings relating to hurricanes
They are fully aware Of their re-
probabilities, and they strive TO
render the best and most accurate
service that is possible.
With these facts in mind, resi-
dents Of South Atlantic and Gulf
States, and visitors to those re-
gions, during the hurricane sea-
.son--whieh extends from June to
November--should rely upon the
warning service Of the Weather
Bureau and should not be unduly
alarmed when there are rumors
Of storm conditions which are at
variance with the official state
ments of the Bureau.
Relative To Rumors
Unfortunately, 1t is true that
when @ tropical storm ID in pro-
gress alarming rumors are cir
cuIated by many Inisinformed and
emotional persons. Others, pos
sessing only q limited superficial
knowledge of the true structure
and normal behavior Of the hur-
ricane, pose as experts and give
out erroneous opinions or make
interpretations of the official adj
vices and warnings which do not
accord with the facts. There are
known instances Of persons who
we're -aetuated by selfish motives
in endeavoring TO prevent dis
tribution of warnings or to
modify the character Of official
anppuncements. The excitement
prevailing when q hurricane is
approaching stimulates the public
credence in unofficial statements
and false rumors. vitality inn
nortant advices and warnings then
lose much of their effectiveness.
This Is deplorable situation
which cannot be overcome except
by cooperation of the public.
Much of this anxiety and
nervousness that follows the an
nouncement of tropical storm
is unwarranted. Undoubtedly part
Of il would be avoided il resi-
dents OF areas subject to vista
ton by tropical disturbances
'zSeald acquire an understanding
Of the service given by the
Weather Bureau in issuing adj
vices and warnings, as described
herein, as well as a knowledge, at
least elementary, of the charac-
teristics of tropical storms.
Disturbances
Storms of tropical and sub
tropical areas of the southern
North Atlantic Ocean. including
the Gulf of Mexico and Carib-
bean Sea. are referred TO In adj
vices and warnings OF the
Weather Bureau as tropical dis
turbances, or hurricanes, depend
ing upon the intensity. as in
dieated ia the reports received BY
the Bureau. II reports do not in
dieate winds of destructive force
or ahnormally low barometric
pressure at the center, il Isl
usually described ~ n tropical
disturbance Of slight or moderate
intensity. The term "hurricane"
Is used when il h apparent that
the stern is one OF marked in
tensity, accompanied by destrue-
tive winds. The language in AL
adviees and warnings II intended
TO describe the intensity Of the
storm as accurately IS available