Mesoscale damage patterns of Hurricane Frederic in relation to enhanced SMS imageryAn F-scale analysis of Hurricane Frederic (September 12 and 13, 1979) was performed in order to determine the structural damage patterns attributed to the storm. Enhanced SMS imagery revealed patterns of mesoscale features as well as features related to the shielding effects of trees and the grouping effect of structures. The scatter in estimating the damage scale was + or - 1 F-scale. It is shown that discrepancies in recorded wind speed and the estimated wind-speed from the F-scale are the result of different damage mechanisms of hurricane and tornado winds. Radar echoes revealed that the structure of Hurricane Frederic changed from an axisymmetric center to an instantaneous center of rotation. Finally, it is suggested that major hurricane wind and water damage be investigated in greater detail by aerial photography, damage vector mapping, and ground surveys.
Document ID
19820026674
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Fujita, T. T. (Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Wakimoto, R. M. (Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Stiegler, D. J. (Chicago, University Chicago, IL, United States)