Over 12% of the United States population lives within a flood zone and even more people live close to the ocean, which means they are also potentially in danger of being flooded out by excessively high tides high, tsunamis or hurricanes storm surges. We have all heard of the famous fifth-year flood or the hundred year flood study if we look at Environmental Impact Reports and building codes or master plans for most municipalities and counties.

These are quite real no matter how much they are downplayed or how often they are mitigated by giant cement ditches or runoff canals. The fact is 12% of Americans still live in a flood zone and that means is not a matter of if, but when. Lately we have been seeing quite a bit of flooding in the United States due to extreme weather.

Indeed, more people die from floods, then any other natural disaster and just because we live in a modern civilization such as the United States does not mean we are immune to these challenges or problems. Of course if you live in a flood zone it might be wise to have flood insurance although this might not be enough and even if you collect on insurance you still generally lose everything.

It would be wise before buying a home or moving into an area that you check to see if the region has historically had large floods within the last 200 years. And don’t kid yourself even if a big flood only comes every 200 years that means in any 20 year that you have a one in 10 chance of being flooded out. It makes sense to play it safe and smart and not take anyone else’s word for it. If you do not believe what I’m saying, turn on the news.

L. Winslow is a Disaster Assistance Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entreprenuer. Currently he is planning a bicycle ride across the US to raise money for charity and is sponsored by http://www.Calling-Plans.com and all the proceeds will go to various charities who sign up.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, it is always the perfect season to visit Murcia. The weather in Murcia is like that of other cities along the Costa Blanca. It’s all about location, actually. It is no wonder these cities in this Mediterranean region were so desirable and are still today. It is because the light ocean breezes keep things temperate and it’s as if the mountains to the west offer protection from any type of uninvited weather pattern. The average temperature throughout the year is 18 degrees Celsius (65F).

Winter Wonderland

Winter, generally the months of December and January, is the coolest with temperatures about 10 degrees Celsius (50F). This is a great time to take in outdoor hiking or even golf. You can dress comfortably in light sweaters but be sure to bring at least a light jacket for evenings when the ocean breeze cools things off further.

Spring Fling

Spring warms up a bit and makes for a great beginning to the true tourist season. The weather is warm enough for swimming and all kinds of outdoor dining experiences without being the peak of tour time. Students with Spring fever begin to emerge, but will soon be departing to their summer homes.

Sizzlin’ Summer

With the introduction of more tourists and the exit of full-time students, the city changes as dramatically as the climate. It can really heat up in the summer reaching about 40 degrees Celsius (104F)! The ocean breezes keep the shore pleasant enough, but the inner city, located about 45 km away, doesn’t usually benefit from ocean winds. The buildings and pavement can make it unpleasant for walking, and many older buildings are not equipped with air conditioning. Summer, however, is the perfect time to just relax at the beach. You can plan your activities that require exertion (golf, hiking, sight seeing) for the early morning hours then retreat to the cool ocean waters for the rest of the day. Once the sun sets about 8 p.m. it will once again be a good time to walk the city streets or dine out.

Festive Fall

Fall is when school starts again and the city once again transforms back into a pleasant, mild spot for late season vacationers. Temperatures will return to a pleasing 24 degrees Celsius (75F). Water temperatures remain warm enough to enjoy swimming in the ocean any time of year.

In short, there is not bad time to visit Murcia. The Murcia weather is predictable and consistent. It is safe to say, it is a great day in Murcia, no matter what day you are talking about.

Packing for Anytime of Year

There are some basic staples you will want to put in your suitcase no matter what time of year or what kind of weather you expect in Murcia. Swim gear goes without saying, but you will also want to have a light weight cover up when the summer sun gets too hot for skin to bear.

A lightweight jacket is sufficient for anytime of year, but in the winter months you may want to bring one loose fitting enough to layer your clothing with a light sweater under the jacket.

A wide-brimmed hat will protect your skin from the summer sun and heat as well. Of course, anything you forget can be purchased at any number of shops downtown and at reasonable prices.

For an enjoyable visit during any time of year, you should bring comfortable walking shoes or sandals. The city lends itself to a walking tour and the long beaches cry out for barefoot excursions.

One thing you probably won’t need to pack is an umbrella! The rainfall averages just 3 cm per month, with the heaviest peaks in late fall and early winter where you may get 6 cm per month.

Jerry Blackburn very often creates publications on themes relating to Costa Blanca and Alicante. His writings on Alicante and Murcia weather are published on his web publications.

Since weathervanes have been around for centuries and will continue to dot the landscapes of our great nation for many more, perhaps we should take the time to consider observing them and give them their due.

Weathervanes are more than just an ornament on the top of a barn or outbuilding. Profoundly silhouetted against the sky, they are a humble reminder of our dependence on the wind and weather.

Farmers look quickly at their weathervanes before attacking their chores. Wind direction is an important consideration before planting crops or harvesting. For that matter, spraying insecticides or even fertilizer should be scrutinized by the wind direction before applying them. Actually, this practice should not only be limited to farmers.

Consider checking the wind direction before you travel. The wind can affect the performance of your vehicle, especially a large one, or a vehicle towing a trailer. The wind carries the weather, and when you are on the road, the weather defines the safety or danger of the trip.

Here is another reason to check wind direction. Always be aware of this when burning campfires or any fire. The wind can carry sparks and burning debris very quickly and cause major damage. There are plenty of other outdoor activities as well, where the wind should be considered. Check your weathervane.

Weathervanes come in all designs and colors. You will find them made of wood, metal, copper and iron, to name a few. One may be adorned with a rooster, while another may have a deer. In this article the author would like to make a point to consider the black wrought iron weathervanes.

Wrought iron makes a bold statement practically anywhere. And when you look towards the sky to view your weathervane, black wrought iron will show a clear silhouette that is easy to see, clean lines and clean looking.

Another point to make is the durability of wrought iron. The fact of it being virtually weatherproof and great looking should be enough to convince anyone to consider a wrought iron weathervane.

If you are a homeowner without an outbuilding to mount a weathervane, there are other mounts on the market allowing them to be incorporated in the garden or on your deck. Their versatility is only limited to your imagination.

Tom Watson is the owner of Black Iron Junction, a website featuring a huge selection of Wrought Iron Decorative Accessories. Visit http://www.blackironjunction.com

The Orlando Climate is sub tropical. The weather tends to be warm and humid. The climate is influenced by several factors. The Gulf Stream and the city’s proximity to the Tropic of Cancer affect the climate. The low elevation of the city adds to the humidity level. There are two basic seasons in Florida: a hot summer season and cooler winter season.

Orlando Climate in the Summer Season

During the summer season, the weather is hot and humid. The average temperature during the day is in the nineties. At night, the temperatures range from the seventies to the eighties. The heat index during the day can get quite high. A heat index of over one hundred degrees is not uncommon.

The summer is also the rainy season in Florida. Storms are quite common, especially in the late afternoon. Most of these storms are caused by air from the Atlantic and air from the Gulf colliding over central Florida. At times, these storms can be quite violent. The storms often bring wind, thunder, lightening and hail. Orlando is known for more lightening strikes each year than any other city in the United States.

The rainfall during these storms can be very heavy. The months from June through September bring the most rain to Orlando. The average rain fall during these months is about fifty inches. In some years, this number is even higher. Often, the storms are strong, but short lived. You will usually be able to enjoy the evening outdoors after a storm. Unlike some areas of the country, the rain does not cool the temperature. Often the humidity is even higher just after a thunderstorm.

Hurricane season also occurs in the summer. The official hurricane season runs from June through November. Since Orlando is not on the coast, the city often escapes the brunt of the storm’s landfall. By the time most storms reach the city, they have weakened considerably. However, this doesn’t mean the city is safe from these strong and unpredictable storms. The city has sustained damage from several storms over the years.

Orlando Climate in the Winter Season

In the winter, you will know why Florida is called The Sunshine State. There is very little rainfall during this season. Most days are dry and sunny. The weather in the winter really is beautiful. This is a fabulous time to plan a trip to Florida. Many tourists flock to the area during this season to escape the freezing temperatures in the northern part of the country. For more information contact the Florida Tourist offices.

The months of December through May are the driest months of the year. In some years, the weather is way too dry during the winter months. This increases the risk of wild fires in central Florida. In the past, these have gotten quite severe.

The temperatures in the winter season are very mild. The average daily temperature ranges from the mid sixties to the seventies. The night time temperatures are generally in the fifties. There is virtually no snow in the Orlando area. The few times there have been flurries, they don’t accumulate. If you want to escape the winter, this is the place to come.

Howard Farmer

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The very word can bring feelings of anticipation or fear. These storms can leave an area devastated and people isolated from basic needs and services. For those of us who have lived near a beach in the United States they have become at best an expected annual nuisance. The weather channel builds each storm up to be a catastrophic killer that will topple even the strongest home, each broadcast beginning with dramatic footage of previous hurricane damage. I am surprised not to hear the voice of the movie preview guy saying things like “It was a storm like any other, until it was angered, and then there was no stopping it! - Arnold Schwarzenegger is the hurricane”. Why do they feel that an event such as a named storm heading toward people and their homes need any more drama than the actual event creates? And then only to find that minimal damage was suffered from the tropical storm or the category 1 hurricane.

You would think that we would never have an instance where a severe storm struck a community where the residents were unaware that the destruction and devastation was going to be more than they thought, or that they should have evacuated the area but did not, yet it happens time and again. The real damage is done where these storms hit communities of the elderly, where the special needs of individuals is not optional to their longevity.

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf region killing thousands and damaging entire cites in its path. Thousands of people were evacuated to other areas of the United States, not to return to their damaged homes for months if at all. How did this happen in the cry wolf society that we live in? We over dramatize everything, making mountains out of mole hills, building everything up to the worst possible scenario. So how could anyone be caught unaware?

I believe that the population of this country has become so numb to the possibility that something could happen to them that they turn a blind eye to the realities around them. These things happen to other people right? No need to worry about it anyway – You can’t change the outcome – What happens happens right? Well wake up people and open tour eyes, we as a nation need to find a way to put ourselves in the best possible position to protect ourselves. We live in a world where both the thinkable and the un-thinkable happen every day.