Hugo, Florence, and Cape Verde: Why we name hurricanes
Even though Hugo was a category one hurricane by the time it hit Charlotte, it carried winds close to 100 mph with it. The winds were so strong they wiped out almost the entirety of the city's tree canopy and left 85% of Charlotte's residents without power.
Four people in the metro were killed, it took months before life for most Charlotteans went back to normal.
Duke Energy told us last fall that since Hugo, their storm response team has grown -- communication, technology and meteorology have all improved. But they face one problem: so many people are moving to Charlotte.
So while emergency responders prepare to keep up with the boom, there's more people that will need protection from storms like Hugo, which was what's called a 'Cape Verde storm.'
When we get to the months of September and October, we arrive at our most dangerous time. Not only is it prime time for hurricanes, more start forming off of the coast of Africa. These Cape Verde storms develop near those islands and travel across the entire warm ocean, strengthening with each mile they travel.
By the time they reach the U.S. mainland, they are monsters.
Hurricane Florence in September of 2018 was also known as a Cape Verde storm, and the Carolinas are still dealing with the impacts from that.
Florence is a good reminder that each storm has its own characteristics - that there is no single specific type of storm. They come in all shapes and sizes and each offer different kinds of deadly threats.
Consider this - in that year of 2018 we also had Hurricane Michael that slammed into Florida as a category five storm. Florence was a 'mere' category one when it hit Wrightsville Beach.
Who claimed more lives? Florence. Why? Michael raced through the south. Florence moved through our region at an astonishingly slow two miles per hour.
That's why they get a name, each storm is different: different sizes, different shapes, different speeds, and many different ways they can threaten your family and your property. And all it takes is just one. The time to be ready is now.
(VIDEO: Asheville-based businesses struggle to recover months after Hurricane Helene)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Goats and sheep to replace mowers on Jay Peak trails in VT: Why they're doing it
Jay Peak Resort is trying a new approach to trail maintenance this fall by using goats and sheep instead of gas-powered equipment. The animals will graze about 130 acres of ski and Nordic trails throughout September, replacing part of the resort's annual fall mowing operation, according to a community announcement. Traditionally, Jay Peak mows about 340 acres of trails and glades each September and October, using a crew of 10 seasonal workers with gas-powered trimmers. This year, the resort has contracted a Vermont-based farmer to bring a herd of goats and sheep to handle part of the job. The animals will be outfitted with radio collars connected to a cellular-powered geofencing system and will rotate through 2-acre sections every two days, grazing the vegetation down to the target height of 6 inches. A trained guard dog will stay with the herd overnight to deter predators. What is goatscaping? Goatscaping is a centuries-old technique for natural landscaping that relies on goats' indiscriminate appetite for nearly anything leafy and green. Their hardy stomachs can digest plants other animals cannot, including poison ivy, sumac and other invasive or nuisance growth, without harm. This organic, chemical-free approach is both environmentally friendly and highly effective, making it a sustainable alternative to weed-killing sprays. 'This is as much about exploring better, lower-impact ways to care for the mountain as it is about tradition,' said Andy Stenger, director of mountain and base area operations. 'If the goats and sheep can do the work without heavy fuel use — and without us needing to haul crews up the hill every day — that's a win for us and the mountain.' While optimistic, the resort acknowledges the experiment comes with unknowns. If the animals don't meet vegetation targets, the mowing crew will resume in October to complete the job. If the pilot succeeds, Jay Peak hopes to expand the grazed acreage in future seasons. Regardless of outcome, the planning for winter 2025-2026 operations will not be impacted by how the trails are ultimately cleared. The approach offers multiple benefits: reducing fossil fuel consumption, cutting back on noise and emissions during the fall prep season and supporting Vermont agriculture through direct partnerships with local farmers. The goats and sheep are expected to be on-site for the month of September. Guests and passholders may spot them from select trails, though they will remain within geofenced areas and under supervision at all times. Jay Peak Resort is a four-season destination in Northern Vermont, located near the Canadian border and about 60 miles north of Burlington. While best known for its snowfall and extensive winter terrain, Jay Peak comes to life in the warmer months with a range of summer activities and facilities. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Jay Peak ski resort trying goats on trails to trim growth, save gas Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
$2.8 Million Homes in Connecticut, Florida and South Carolina
Old Lyme, Conn. | $2.8 million This four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom house was a sheep barn before it was converted into a home, and it sits on a parcel of land with two other buildings: one is used as a guesthouse and the other is rented out. The property is on the edge of the Lieutenant River, and is less than five minutes by car from Old Lyme's library. A chocolate shop, a supermarket, and the Florence Griswold Museum, which features a collection of American Impressionist art, are also nearby. New Haven is an hour away, and Newport, R.I., is less than two hours away. New York City is a three-hour drive. Size: 6,742 square feet Price per square foot: $415 Indoors: From the driveway, a bluestone path leads to this home's front door, which opens to a wide foyer with one set of stairs continuing up to the second level and another leading down to the lower level. The living room, off the foyer, has high ceilings with exposed wood beams, and a fireplace with a stone surround. Tall windows look out over the grounds from the living room and from a formal dining room, also off the foyer. Here, there are yellow painted walls, and a set of French doors opens to a narrow balcony. A powder room is off the foyer. The kitchen is on the lower level, with Spanish-style tile floors and stainless steel appliances. An island sits in the center of the kitchen, which has a bay window. Another dining area, also with tile floors, is on the other side of the kitchen, and this level holds a wood-paneled den that could also be used as a bedroom. A smaller den with a built-in bench seat is next door, and a full bathroom is also in this part of the house. At the end of a corridor extending from the dining area is the primary suite, which has windows that face the pool. The floors here are wood, and the primary bathroom has a combined tub and shower. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Business Upturn
6 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Dr. Lal PathLabs becomes first in India to adopt AI-based module for cancer lymph node metastasis detection
Dr. Lal PathLabs has taken a groundbreaking step in advancing cancer diagnostics in India by becoming the first laboratory in the country to introduce a deep learning-based AI module for the detection of lymph node metastasis, including micrometastasis. This innovation, developed in collaboration with Singapore-based healthtech company Qritive, was recently showcased at USCAP 2025, one of the most prestigious pathology conferences in the world. The accurate detection of cancer spread to lymph nodes is a critical factor in determining the stage and treatment strategy for patients. Missing these signs of cancer progression can allow the disease to advance, increasing the chances of it spreading to distant organs and reducing survival rates. The ability to identify even occult metastases in patients with early-stage cancer has the potential to significantly influence treatment plans and improve outcomes. Traditionally, detecting micrometastases—small clusters of cancer cells hidden in lymph nodes—has been a time-consuming and complex process, often requiring advanced testing. The new AI system, called QiAI Lymph Node Dx, addresses this challenge by using deep learning to analyze digital slides and identify cancer cells with exceptional precision. This integration of AI into diagnostic practice ensures that cancer detection becomes faster, more reliable, and highly accurate. What makes this development especially impactful is its ability to pick up even single cancer cells, which were later validated through immunohistochemistry testing. The AI model has been tested across various cancer types, including breast, colon, stomach, and esophageal cancers, consistently delivering highly accurate results. Breast cancer, which accounts for nearly 28% of cancer cases among women in India, particularly stands to benefit from this breakthrough, highlighting the clinical relevance of the technology. By achieving complete sensitivity and negative predictive value—meaning no metastatic cases went undetected—the AI system has proven to be a robust screening tool. Its tumor-agnostic design allows it to function effectively across different cancer types, making it a versatile solution for oncologists and pathologists alike. As cancer incidence continues to rise in India, the integration of advanced AI-powered diagnostic tools such as QiAI Lymph Node Dx is set to transform the landscape of cancer care. By enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, this technology not only improves the efficiency of medical practice but also ensures better treatment decisions, offering renewed hope to patients battling cancer. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
