Hurricane Preparedness: Staying Safe During Nature's Fury * FearlessMermaid

Hurricane season is almost here, and it’s time to make sure my family is safe. This guide will help me get ready for hurricanes. It includes learning what hurricanes are, getting my house ready, making a plan, and knowing where to get the right information. With these steps, I can protect my family and stay safe.

Key Takeaways

Taping windows is not an effective way to strengthen them before a storm.¹
Hurricane-rated windows provide better protection during hurricanes.¹
Battery-powered flashlights or lanterns are safer alternatives to candles during power outages.¹
Stocking up on essential supplies early is crucial to avoid shortages during hurricane season.¹
Downed trees and power lines can be dangerous after a storm, so caution is advised when going outside.¹

Understanding Hurricanes

What is a Hurricane?

The word “hurricane” comes from ancient cultures. The Mayans had a storm god called Hunraken. The Taino people of the Caribbean had an evil god named Huracan. Hurricanes are not evil, but they are incredibly powerful storms. They can cause a lot of harm. People in areas where hurricanes happen need to prepare for them. This includes tropical storms too.²

How Hurricanes Form

Hurricanes come from warm seas and moist air. They are fueled by the ocean’s heat. Over tropical seas, they move with easterly winds. North of 25° north, they follow westerly winds. Sometimes, hurricanes get so strong they make their own winds. The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1. For the U.S., the worst time is from mid-August to late October. But, the season lasts through November.² In parts of Asia like the western Pacific, typhoons can happen any time.

Hurricanes form from a few key ingredients. They grow stronger over warm waters. Moisture from the sea feeds them. This makes them like a huge heat engine. As they spin, they pull air in. This air forms into thunderstorms. When winds are light, this process continues, and the storm grows. The middle of the storm, the eye, is calm. The most violent part is the eyewall. This is a circle of thunderstorms right around the eye.²

Potential Hurricane Impacts

Storm Surge

Storm surge is a large dome of water often 50 to 100 miles wide that sweeps across the coastline near where a hurricane makes landfall. The surge of high water topped by waves is devastating. The stronger the hurricane and the shallower the offshore water, the higher the surge will be. Along the immediate coast, storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property. The storm tide is the combination of the storm surge and the astronomical tide.

If the storm surge arrives at high tide, the water height will be even greater. The combination of the storm surge, battering waves, and high winds is deadly and causes great property damage.³

Winds

Hurricane-force winds, 74 mph or more, can destroy buildings and mobile homes. Debris, such as signs, roofing material, siding, and small items left outside, become flying missiles in hurricanes. Winds can stay above hurricane strength well inland.

Hurricane Hugo (1989) battered Charlotte, North Carolina—about 175 miles inland—with gusts to near 100 mph, downing trees and power lines.⁴

Tornadoes

Hurricanes and tropical storms also produce tornadoes. These tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane; however, they can also occur near the eyewall.

Usually, tornadoes produced by tropical cyclones are relatively weak and short-lived, but still pose a threat.⁴

Inland/Freshwater Flooding

All tropical cyclones can produce widespread torrential rains often in excess of 6 inches. This rain can produce deadly and destructive floods. Heavy rain can trigger landslides and mud slides, especially in mountainous regions.

Flooding is the major threat from tropical cyclones to people well inland. Tropical Storm Allison (2001) was the most costly tropical storm in U.S. history with more than $5 billion in flood damage.⁴

Preparing for Hurricanes

One of the worst feelings after a hurricane is regret. Many think, “If only I had done things differently.” Don’t be stuck wishing you had prepared better. Make sure to secure your home, pack an emergency kit, and keep important documents together.⁵ With a little preparation, you can save yourself from a lot of trouble and worry. Make sure to prepare an hurricane preparedness kit. Include items like non-perishable foods, batteries, and first-aid supplies.⁵ Also, keep your important documents in one safe and easy-to-find place.

Safe Sheltering

If emergency managers tell you to leave your area, listen. Make a plan for where you’ll stay and go early.⁶ If you have pets, find a pet-friendly shelter or plan ahead for them.⁶ Remember, help may not come quickly during the storm. You might need to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours.⁶

Evacuation Planning

During the hurricane

When a hurricane hits, keeping safe indoors is critical. Those who’ve experienced big hurricanes remember doors and windows shaking.⁶ The house might hold, but nature’s force is beyond us.⁶ Instead of struggling with windows, move to a room without windows. Stay there until the storm ends safely.

Staying Safe Indoors

Protect your home from all sides against the wind.⁶ Even though candles are comforting, they’re dangerous with a storm’s distractions.⁶ Use battery-powered lights when the power goes out to stay safe.⁶

Avoiding Risky Behaviors

Don’t go outside in the storm’s eye, when winds calm.⁷ This break doesn’t last, and danger can return.⁷ Stay indoors, keeping an ear on the weather until it’s safe outside.

After the Hurricane

Being stuck indoors after a storm is boring. But it’s safer than going out and risking an injury. After a hurricane, fallen trees and power lines make the area dangerous.

It’s tempting to step outside when the storm seems calm. The National Hurricane Center warns against this.⁵ Even if you’re eager to check out the scene, it’s best to wait. Don’t take selfies or go exploring until experts say the storm has truly passed. Sometimes the quiet is just the break before even worse weather hits.

Assessing Damage

Utility Safety

This booklet gives you the lowdown on staying safe around utilities after a disaster.⁷ It talks about being safe with electricity, natural gas, water, and generators. For instance, never use a generator inside. This can lead to fires and deadly gas.

It also says keeping in touch with the utility company, MLGW, is key. Report any problems and they’ll help you stay in the loop about repairs.

hurricane Season

Atlantic Hurricane Season

The Atlantic hurricane season goes from June 1 to November 30.⁸ NOAA says this year, there’s a big chance for lots of storms in the Atlantic.⁸ They think we might see between 17 to 25 named storms this season.⁸ This includes 8 to 13 hurricanes and 4 to 7 major hurricanes.⁸ Forecasts are quite sure about this, with 70% confidence.⁸

Many things make this season look busier than usual.⁸ La Nina in the Pacific means conditions are ripe for more storms.⁸ Also, the Atlantic’s warm, there are fewer trade winds, and less wind shear.⁸ This year, the African monsoon could be stronger, leading to more powerful Atlantic storms.⁸ Besides,⁸ climate change is warming oceans and raising sea levels, making storm surges worse.

For better warning and safety,⁸ NOAA is doing more this season.⁸ They’ll give out Spanish alerts and try new forecast tools for better predictions.⁸ They’ve also improved flood mapping to help emergency teams.⁸ Plus, they’re putting more observation tools in the ocean to get better data.⁸

NOAA will update their hurricane prediction in August, right before things might get the worst.⁸

Pacific Hurricane Season

In the western North Pacific,⁸ typhoons can happen any time of year.⁹ The Central North Pacific hurricane season goes from June to November.⁹

Notable Hurricane Impacts

Hurricanes are powerful natural events that often bring great damage and loss of life. They hit the U.S. with significant impact. Some recent hurricanes have caused extreme devastation. Here are a few examples:

Hurricane Katrina (2005)

In August 2005,¹⁰ Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. It was one of the deadliest and most costly hurricanes recorded. The storm surge caused widespread flooding, especially in New Orleans. It resulted in over 1,800 deaths. The hurricane also brought about $125 billion in damages. This made it the costliest hurricane in U.S. history at the time.¹⁰

Hurricane Harvey (2017)

August 2017 saw Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. It brought massive floods and around $90 billion in damages.¹¹ The storm moved slowly, setting record rainfall in some places, with over 60 inches. The floods submerged entire areas, leading to thousands evacuating.¹¹

Hurricane Maria (2017)

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017. It caused widespread damage, leaving the island’s infrastructure ruined.¹¹ The hurricane’s cost was about $90 billion and more than 3,000 died.¹¹ Puerto Rico struggled for years to recover from the storm’s impact.¹¹

Hurricane	Year	Impacts
Hurricane Andrew	1992	Damage in the U.S. reached $27 billion, making it the most expensive. In south Florida, wind gusts were at least 175 mph.¹⁰
Hurricane Hugo	1989	Wind gusts hit nearly 100 mph as far as Charlotte, North Carolina. Hugo kept up hurricane winds until just west of Charlotte.¹⁰
Hurricane Agnes	1972	Floods from North Carolina to New York caused record river crests. The storm spawned 15 tornadoes in Florida and 2 in Georgia.¹⁰

Staying Informed

Stay informed to stay safe before a hurricane comes. Watch the weather closely and use trusted sources for news. This helps you get ready early and protect your family.⁵

Monitoring Weather Forecasts

Don’t wait for hurricane news to start getting supplies. Buy things like food that lasts, batteries, and water early. This way, you won’t have to worry about long lines or not finding what you need.⁵

Preparing before the storm hits is key.¹² Start when you see the early alerts, not when everyone’s rushing to get supplies. This keeps stress low and makes you ready in time.⁵

Reliable Information Sources

Before a hurricane, knowing the latest news and safety tips is critical. The FEMA app can send you alerts for your area. It helps you stay updated wherever you are.⁵

Also, local emergency teams are always working with the state and others to share important info.⁵ Finding and using trustworthy sources can make a big difference in staying safe.

Keeping informed and acting early is how you protect your family and house. Remember, it’s vital to watch the weather, listen to experts, and never take these storms lightly.⁵¹²

FAQ

What is a hurricane?

A hurricane is a very strong storm that starts over warm ocean waters. It brings winds of at least 74 mph. This storm can cause a lot of harm to both people and places it hits.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes start when warm ocean waters feed a storm. This energy from the water powers the hurricane. The storm grows, forming a pattern of winds that spin and create thunderstorms inside.

What are the main threats from hurricanes?

Hurricanes bring storm surges, high winds, tornadoes, and a lot of rain. The storm surge, a wall of water that moves onshore, can be very dangerous. The high winds and heavy rain are also big risks, causing flooding and damaging buildings.

What should I include in my hurricane emergency kit?

Your kit should have food that won’t spoil, water, batteries, flashlights, and any medicines you need. Don’t forget about your pets: have food and a safe way to bring them with you. Keep important papers in a waterproof place. Having these ready will make dealing with a storm much easier.

When should I evacuate during a hurricane?

If local authorities say you must leave, do so right away. They won’t be able to help much once the storm is at its worst. You might have to wait to come back for at least 72 hours. Remember to plan where you’ll stay, and include plans for pets.

What should I do to stay safe inside my home during a hurricane?

Stay inside and choose a room without windows, like a bathroom or a closet. Make sure doors and windows are locked tight so water and wind can’t get in. Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid fires. Keep away from windows, as they might break.

What should I do after the hurricane passes?

Be careful when you go outside because there could be dangerous things like falling trees and power lines. Check your home for any damage. If you see problems with power or water, tell the right people. Stay away from flooded roads until officials say they’re safe.

When does hurricane season typically occur?

The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, with the most danger from August to October. However, storms can happen beyond these times. In the western North Pacific, typhoons can occur at any time of the year.

What are some of the most devastating hurricanes in recent history?

Hurricanes like Katrina (2005), Harvey (2017), and Maria (2017) stand out as very destructive. They caused massive damage and loss of life. For instance, Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Harvey brought severe floods to Texas, and Maria hit Puerto Rico hard, causing long-lasting power outages and damage to infrastructure.