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The following final examination is designed to find out how much you have learned
about hurricanes, hurricane forecasting, and decision making from this course.
If you want to receive FEMA's Independent Study certificate of completion, you must pass this exam with a minimum
score of 75%. If you score less than 75%, you will be given another chance to take the test.
In order to be eligible for the certificate, please enroll in the course (Course number IS-324) prior to taking
the exam by completing the form on the Independent Study Website at
http://www.fema.gov/emi/ishome.htm
If you do not have a copy of the answer sheet originally sent with this CD, you
must print a copy of the answer sheet (use the File/Print Frame command on your browser), complete it, and mail or fax it to
Office of Independent Study
Emergency Management Institute
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
or
Fax
(301) 447-1112
Alternatively, you can take and submit the exam electronically using the form
on the Independent Study Website (http://www.fema.gov/emi/ishome.htm) that lists this course (IS-324).
Privacy Act Statement (Public
Law 93 579)
FINAL EXAM
Community Hurricane Preparedness (IS-324)
The final examination consists of 50 questions (ignore spaces on the answer
sheet higher than 50) and should take no more than 60 minutes to complete. Carefully read each question and all
the possible answers before marking your responses on the answer
sheet. Using a soft lead (#2) pencil, circle the correct line corresponding
to the letter answer. There is only one correct response for each test item. You may refer to the course materials
to help you answer the questions.
1. The bigger the hurricane, the more intense it is.
2. The size of a typical hurricane is
| a. 20 miles across |
| b. 50 miles across |
| c. 300 miles across |
| d. 500 miles across |
3. Which quadrant of a hurricane has the strongest winds?
| a. Left-front |
| b. Right-front |
| c. Left-rear |
| d. Right-rear |
4. When should you be alert for hurricanes?
| a. July 1 - September 1 |
| b. June 1 - September 30 |
| c. July 1 - October 31 |
| d. June 1 - November 30 |
5. You explain to an official that a hurricane's forward speed and path can vary considerably. She asks why and
you respond:
| a. Hurricanes are affected by other weather patterns around the storm |
| b. The forward speed is affected by ocean surface temperature. |
| c. The hurricane is embedded in a constant airstream. |
| d. The hurricane's winds circulate counter-clockwise. |
6. What is the main method of taking indirect measurements of a tropical cyclone far out at sea?
| a. ASOS |
| b. Radar |
| c. Satellite |
| d. Ship reports |
7. Why is the United States becoming more vulnerable to hurricanes?
| a. Hurricanes are becoming more intense. |
| b. Hurricanes are becoming larger and more frequent. |
| c. Our ability to forecast has been declining. |
| d. Increasing population in coastal areas make it more difficult to evacuate for a
hurricane. |
8. How far out from the hurricane's center would you generally expect to find tropical storm-force winds?
| a. 50 miles |
| b. 175 miles |
| c. 500 miles |
| d. 600 miles |
9. Which of the following choices is the greatest advantage of satellite imagery?
| a. It shows the hurricane during the night, as well as the day. |
| b. It can accurately predict forward speed. |
| c. It can accurately predict the intensity and movement of the storm. |
| d. It can be used to estimate storm surge. |
10. What hazard associated with a hurricane has caused the most loss of life in the last 30 years?
| a. High winds |
| b. Tornadoes |
| c. Storm surge |
| d. Heavy rain |
11. What is significant about the right-front quadrant of a hurricane?
| a. That quadrant only appears on Doppler radar. |
| b. Storm surge is enhanced in that quadrant. |
| c. Fewer tornadoes can occur in that quadrant. |
| d. That quadrant usually has more rain. |
12. The eye of a hurricane is forecast to come ashore at your community in 24 hours. Which one factor would LEAST
influence your decision whether to evacuate areas near the coast?
| a. Anticipated storm surge |
| b. Forecast intensity of the storm |
| c. Probability of the forecast |
| d. Size of the eyewall |
13. A typical hurricane can bring:
| a. Trace of rain |
| b. 1-3 inches of rain |
| c. 3-6 inches of rain |
| d. 6-12 inches of rain |
14. A storm surge for a major hurricane is typically
| a. 50-100 miles wide |
| b. 100-150 miles wide |
| c. 1-5 miles wide |
| d. 1-20 miles wide |
15. A developer wants to build a hotel on an offshore island. He believes the location is high enough above sea
level to avoid storm surge flooding. Which of the following would NOT aggravate storm surge effects and cause flooding
problems?
| a. Coastal slope |
| b. Storm intensity |
| c. Tides |
| d. The type of building construction |
16. What tool is used by FEMA to assess storm surge threat?
| a. HURREVAC |
| b. Saffir-Simpson scale |
| c. SLOSH |
| d. HURRTRACK |
17. A coastline has a shallow slope. The type of storm surge damage will mainly be
| a. Flooded coastal communities |
| b. To ships and marinas in harbor |
| c. Caused by tsunami waves |
| d. The result of tornadoes |
18. Meteorologists tell you that a Category 2 hurricane will make landfall within 24 hours in your area and to
expect an 8 to 12 foot storm surge. What primary rule should guide your evacuation decisions at this point?
| a. Begin evacuations when the tropical storm-force winds arrive. |
| b. Evacuate immediately when the probability forecast is 25% or greater. |
| c. Maintain contact with the NHC for advice. |
| d. Plan for a hurricane one category higher. |
19. As a hurricane approaches your coastline, its forward speed decreases from 20 kt to 10 kt. What is the significance
of that?
| a. Higher wind speeds and enhanced storm surge |
| b. Less total rainfall from a weakening system |
| c. More total rainfall from a slower moving storm |
| d. Shorter period under high winds |
20. What is the principal inland hazard from a hurricane?
| a. Flash flooding from heavy rain |
| b. Storm surge flooding |
| c. Tornadoes from intensifying vorticity |
| d. Wind damage from high-velocity sustained winds |
21. A hurricane's rainbands are sweeping your community well in advance of a hurricane. In addition to the heavy
rain, the main threat from these rainbands is
| a. Lightning |
| b. Storm surge |
| c. Reduced visibility |
| d. Tornadoes |
22. How soon after a hurricane makes landfall is it no longer a flooding threat?
| a. After the winds drop below 74 mph |
| b. After the winds drop below tropical storm-force speed |
| c. 12 hours after landfall |
| d. It depends on what other weather systems it interacts with. |
23. The NHC forecasts a hurricane to come ashore in 6 hours, and they assign a probability level of 15% that it
will strike your community. What would be an appropriate action?
| a. At this time, the strike probability is high. Expedite evacuation. |
| b. At this time, the strike probability is low. Monitor the storm. |
| c. At this time, the strike probability is high and landfall is imminent. Cancel all
evacuations in progress. |
| d. At this time, the strike probability is low. Tell the public there is no further
need to worry. |
24. The NHC forecasts a hurricane eye to come ashore at your location in 72 hours, and they assign a probability
level of 10% to this forecast. Should you begin to make hurricane preparations?
| a. Yes, the probability is high for this forecast period. |
| b. No, the probability is low for this forecast period. |
25. Why do the hurricane computer models used by NHC contain forecast error?
| a. They are based on imperfect data. |
| b. They are run too frequently. |
| c. They take into account long-term atmospheric changes. |
| d. They do not contain forecast error–only people do. |
26. A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are:
| a. Expected within 24 hours |
| b. Expected within 36 hours |
| c. Possible within 24 hours |
| d. Possible within 36 hours |
27. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are:
| a. Expected within 36 hours |
| b. Expected within 24 hours |
| c. Possible within 24 hours |
| d. Possible within 36 hours. |
28. Who coordinates information requests between emergency managers and the National Hurricane Center?
| a. Hurricane Liaison Team |
| b. Miami Weather Forecast Office Operations |
| c. Technical Support Branch |
| d. Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch |
29. What agency disseminates watches and warnings for tropical storms and hurricanes?
| a. Local Weather Forecast Offices |
| b. Miami Weather Forecast Office Operations |
| c. National Hurricane Center |
| d. Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch |
30. What agency disseminates watches and warnings for inland high winds?
| a. Miami Weather Forecast Office Operations |
| b. Local Weather Forecast Offices |
| c. National Hurricane Center |
| d. Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch |
31. To get the current and predicted effects of the hurricane for your local area, you should?
| a. Read the latest tropical cyclone public advisory |
| b. Talk with the Hurricane Liaison Team at the National Hurricane Center |
| c. Read the hurricane local statement |
| d. Read the tropical cyclone discussions |
32. If you wanted to determine where you were in relation to the wind fields, which product would you look at?
| a. Special public tropical cyclone advisories |
| b. Tropical cyclone discussions |
| c. Tropical cyclone strike probability forecasts |
| d. Tropical cyclone forecasts and advisories |
33. If you wanted to get a sense of the forecasters' confidence in the models, which product would you look at?
| a. Public tropical cyclone advisories |
| b. Tropical cyclone discussions |
| c. Tropical cyclone forecasts and advisories |
| d. Hurricane local statements |
34. What product tells when tropical storm-force winds (40-mph) can be expected to arrive?
| a. Public tropical cyclone advisories |
| b. Tropical cyclone forecasts and advisories |
| c. Tropical cyclone strike probability forecasts |
| d. WFO hurricane local statements |
35. Which is NOT a source of forecast error?
| a. Incomplete understanding of atmospheric physics |
| b. Not enough observations |
| c. Radar images |
| d. Observation inaccuracies |
36. At 0900Z, a tropical cyclone advisory contains the following information:
FORECAST VALID 24/1800Z 21.9N 78.1W
MAX WIND 65 KT...GUSTS 80 KT
64 KT... 30NE 0SE 0SW 0NW
50 KT...100NE 100SE 30SW 30NW
34 KT...135NE 125SE 75SW 125NW
What does the information tell you?
| a. The current wind speed |
| b. The past intensity of the hurricane at various times |
| c. The predicted speed of the hurricane |
| d. The radii of the wind fields 9 hours from now |
37. At 0900Z, a tropical cyclone advisory contains the following information:
PRESENT MOVEMENT TOWARD THE WEST NORTHWEST OR 300 DEGREES AT 10 KT
ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE 992 MB
MAX SUSTAINED WINDS 65 KT WITH GUSTS TO 80 KT
64 KT....... 30NE 0SE 0SW 0NW
50 KT.......100NE 100SE 30SW 30NW
34 KT.......135NE 125SE 75SW 125NW
ALL QUADRANT RADII IN NAUTICAL MILES
If you are 225 nautical miles northwest of the storm and this hurricane is moving in your direction, how long before
tropical storm-force winds (34 kt) reach you, if the storm retains its current characteristics?
| a. 6.5 hours |
| b. 10 hours |
| c. 2 hours |
| d. 20 hours |
38. Why is the hurricane warning area usually 300 miles wide?
| a. That's how large the average hurricane is |
| b. To reflect possible errors in the track forecast |
| c. Because the tropical storm force-winds extend out 300 miles |
| d. To reflect possible errors in the intensity forecast |
39. What is a critical source of information about community resources, behavior, and hazards that go into the
hurricane sections of a community's Emergency Operations Plan?
| a. HURREVAC |
| b. National Hurricane Center |
| c. Hurricane Evacuation Study |
| d. National Weather Service |
40. What is the most critical component of coordination between agencies?
| a. Sequencing of actions to prevent interference and inconsistency |
| b. Contacting the Department of Transportation to finish repairs prior to the arrival
of 40-mph winds |
| c. Distribution of all agency plans to one another |
| d. Training Emergency Operations Center staff on specific duties |
41. What does the computer program HURREVAC do?
| a. Used by hurricane specialists at the NHC to produce forecasts |
| b. Calculates flooding potential depending on slope of continental shelf |
| c. Graphically displays tropical cyclone and evacuation data |
| d. Models the atmospheric forces that cause hurricanes |
42. In order to assure there is enough time to evacuate a community, the evacuation should start when
| a. The hurricane is predicted to intensify. |
| b. Tropical storm-force winds are 36 hours from your location. |
| c. Hurricane-force winds are 48 hours from your location. |
| d. When the tropical storm-force winds intersect the HURREVAC decision arc. |
43. When should an evacuation be under way?
| a. After the arrival of hurricane-force winds |
| b. After the arrival of 40-mph winds but before hurricane-force winds |
| c. At the arrival of 40-mph tropical storm-force winds |
| d. Before the arrival of 40-mph tropical storm-force winds |
44. When should you aim to have an evacuation be completed?
| a. After the arrival of hurricane-force winds |
| b. After the arrival of 40-mph winds but before hurricane-force winds |
| c. By the time the 40-mph tropical storm-force winds arrive |
| d. Before the arrival of hurricane-force winds |
45. The tropical storm-force winds of a Category 3 hurricane are forecast to intersect the decision arc for your
community in 36 hours. For a hurricane of Category 4 intensity, it is estimated that your community will need 20
hours to evacuate to safety. How much time is there before the evacuation should be started?
| a. 36 hours |
| b. 20 hours |
| c. 16 hours |
| d. 56 hours |
46. The eye of a Category 2 hurricane is 450 nautical miles away and forecast to come ashore at your coastal location.
The tropical storm-force winds extend 150 nautical miles. The hurricane is moving at 15 knots. If it maintains
forward speed, how long before tropical storm-force winds begin to affect your community?
| a. 20 hours |
| b. 10 hours |
| c. 24 hours |
| d. 30 hours |
47. Using the information in the previous problem, if the hurricane's forward speed increases to 20 knots, how
long before tropical storm-force winds begin to affect your community?
| a. 20 hours |
| b. 10 hours |
| c. 15 hours |
| d. 30 hours |
48. Using the information in Question 46 (forward speed remains 15 knots), and assuming it takes 18 hours to evacuate
your jurisdiction, when is the best time to call for an evacuation?
| a. Now |
| b. 4 hours |
| c. 15 hours |
| d. 5 hours |
49. Errors in forecasting the forward speed of the hurricane can affect
| a. The number of people to evacuate |
| b. Time available before onset of 40-mph winds |
| c. The radius of the tropical storm-force winds |
| d. The size of the rainbands |
50. If a hurricane is on course for your community, and it suddenly intensifies and gains forward speed. What are
the results?
| a. Decision arc expands |
| b. Decision arc shrinks |
| c. Fewer people must be evacuated |
| d. More time to complete evacuations |
Return Answer Sheet to:
Office of Independent Study
Emergency Management Institute
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
or
Fax
(301) 447-1112
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