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Tropical Storms/Hurricanes
Hurricane Facts:
- Hurricanes are nature's most powerful storms and can include storm surges, tornadoes, straight-line winds and heavy rain along with floods.
- Even the weakest Category One hurricane can damage buildings, knock down power lines, flood roads and uproot trees.
- A Category Four hurricane can cause about 100 times the damage of a Category One storm.
- A storm surge is a dome of water that can be 50 to 100 miles wide and 30 feet high or more.
- Tornadoes are most likely to form in the right front quadrant of a hurricane.
- Severe flooding and high winds can occur.
- Tropical Depression: an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less.
- Tropical Storm: an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph.
- Hurricane: an intense tropical weather system with a well-defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.
What To Do?
- If you know a hurricane is coming, have at least a one-week supply of medications on hand.
- Learn safe routes inland. Identify several places you could go in an emergency, a friend's home in another town, a motel or public shelter.
- If you are not able to evacuate, stay indoors away from all windows.
- Ensure that enough nonperishable food and water supplies are on hand.
- Know the hurricane risks in your area. Learn the storm surge history and elevation of your area.
- Stay out of flood waters, if possible. The water may be contaminated, electrically charged or snake-infested.
- Make a plan on how to evacuate your pets.
- Review your insurance policy.
- Learn the location of local storm shelters.
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