Precision of language : Catastrophic

Yesterday Steph and I went to see the Giver. One of the rules in the community is always use precise language. I personally think that is a rule Tucson forecasters need to learn.

Starting Tuesday the people of southern Arizona were warned that catastrophic flooding from hurricane Odile was on it's way. And the most intense catastrophic flooding was supposed to happen Wednesday-Thursday.

What do you think of when you hear the word catastrophic?

This is what I think of

Well that is not what the weather reports consider catastrophic apparently.

No, what's considered catastrophic is scattered puddles and light rainfall. I was particularly disappointed because it is really not difficult to flood Tucson, THERE IS NO DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! It takes a really pathetic rain to not flood Tucson, and that is exactly the definition of catastrophic that the weather department used.

Perhaps the worst part of this situation was the trick emails that the school was sending out, getting all students and employees hopes up.

The use of the words "very high" (cough cough precision of language) made me believe that I was not going to have work on Wednesday. 

Well sure enough I woke up on Wednesday and it was bone dry outside. I even helped Steph do a rain dance so I wouldn't have to walk to work, but unfortunately it only work a little bit as it only started to sprinkle.

So yeah I went to work. I walked around campus with students through the "catastrophic" floods, getting hit by every girls umbrella. When I was off work I got another email.

I was very hopeful that the worst of the flooding would happen Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, and I was very anxious for 9 pm to roll around to see if I would have classes the next day. So then Steph and I went to the movie (fun fact: Lauren decided not to come because it was around the time that some news places have said the flooding would begin). Well it wasn't raining on the way there, and when the movie was over we were thinking the flooding would be so catastrophic that we would have to abandon Stephs car and walk home. So you can imagine our disappointment when we walked outside to scattered clouds and no rain. 

On the plus side the sunset was really pretty.... But that's also a downside. You may know the rhyme: red skies at night, sailors delight. Red skies at morn, sailors take warn." The pretty red sky meant to me that there would be no rain the next day. I was pretty bummed because I was then pretty sure that I would have to go to my classes the next day. My assumptions were solidified when I received the most depressing email of the day 

Now here I am in my first class of my day. I walked here in humidity but no rain, and the forecast is looking bright (bright because the sun). 

So again, PRECISION OF LANGAUAGE, it's very important. I'm glad to know the true definition of catastrophic now.

But I suppose this is what I get for being twisted minded and wishing for a hurricane just so I didn't have to go to work/school.