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The National Weather Service has announced that another El Nino is forming. What does that mean for Hurricane Ivan?
It doesn't mean anything for Hurricane Ivan, according to forecaster Frank Alsheimer. It's a global weather phenomenon, not an individual storm phenomenon.
What does it mean for future weather here?
The Gulf Coast is likely to receive more rainfall than normal, possibly 3 inches more rain than normal in January, February and March. The daytime temperatures might be a little below normal because of more clouds.
How many deaths have been blamed on Hurricane Ivan?
Fifty-six deaths have been attributed to the storm as it crossed the Caribbean, including 34 in Grenada and 11 in Jamaica.
If the latest track proves accurate, what would be the impact on the Tampa Bay area?
The area would feel the effects of Ivan's extreme outer bands, moving north out of the gulf. From Manatee to Pinellas counties, winds on Wednesday would be about 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph. The area would get 2 to 4 inches of rain. Tides would be 3 to 5 feet above normal.
What should I do if I have damage?
Call your insurance agent. Take photos of damage. Make any emergency repairs to prevent more damage and keep receipts to help document your claim.
Whom can I call for further disaster assistance?
Call your insurance agent. If you need more help or don't have insurance, call the Federal Emergency Management Agency toll-free at 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing- or speech-impaired, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
Whom can I call if I don't have power?
Call your power company: Progress Energy at 1-800-228-8485;
Tampa Electric at 1-800-223-0800;
Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative at (352) 567-5133 or (727) 868-9465; Sumter Electric Cooperative at (352) 793-3801.
What can I do if my car is damaged?
Car damage is generally covered by auto insurance, even if the house also is damaged. You will need to make two claims, but they can be made at the same time if you have the same company for both policies. If the inside of the car is flooded, don't try to start it. Cover broken windows. List all damaged or lost valuables.
What does renter's insurance cover?
Renter's insurance generally covers contents and living expenses if your apartment or house is no longer livable. (Your lease might not require your landlord to find you alternate housing.)
What does homeowner's insurance cover?
Homeowner's insurance generally covers damage to the building and contents, plus living expenses until your dwelling is livable again.
How can I entertain my children if the power goes out?
Keep crayons, paper, puzzles, coloring books, board games and craft activities on hand. Give children their own flashlights.
Why are hurricanes named?
Tropical cyclones - the proper name for hurricanes - are named to provide ease of communication between forecasters and the public. The storms often last a week or longer, and more than one can occur at the same time in the same area. The first use of a proper name for a tropical cyclone was by an Australian forecaster, who named tropical cyclones after politicians he didn't like. The weatherman could publicly describe a politician as "causing great distress" or "wandering aimlessly about the Pacific." During World War II, tropical cyclones were given women's names by U.S. Army Air Forces and Navy meteorologists, and were named after meteorologists' girlfriends or wives. From 1950 to 1952, tropical cyclones of the North Atlantic Ocean were identified by the phonetic alphabet, such as Able, Baker or Charlie, but in 1953 the U.S. Weather Bureau switched to women's names. Gender parity didn't come until 1979, when the World Meteorological Organization and the U.S. National Weather Service switched to a list of names that included men's names.
What is likely to happen to Hurricane Ivan's name when it stops wreaking havoc?
The name will be retired, along with other names of hurricanes that caused death and destruction. The names are retired to prevent confusion in the future. Other retired names: Andrew, Floyd and Hugo.
Compiled by Monique Fields and Leonora LaPeter. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.