maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64
knots) or higher.
All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal
areas are subject to hurricanes or tropical
storms. Although rarely struck by
hurricanes, parts of the Southwest United
States and the Pacific Coast experience
heavy rains and floods each year from
hurricanes spawned off Mexico. The
Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June
to November with the peak season from
mid-August to late October.
Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage
to coastlines and several hundred
miles inland. Winds can exceed 155
miles-per-hour. Hurricanes and tropical
storms can also spawn tornadoes and
microbursts, create surge along the coast,
and cause extensive damage due to inland
flooding from trapped water.
Tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms
embedded in rain bands well away
from the center of the hurricane; however,
they also occur near the eye-wall. Typically,
tornadoes produced by tropical cyclones
are relatively weak and short-lived
but still pose a threat.
A storm surge is a huge dome of water
pushed on-shore by hurricane and tropical
storm winds. Storm surges can reach 25
feet high and be 50-100 miles wide. Storm
tide is a combination of the storm surge
and the normal tide (i.e., a 15 foot storm
surge combined with a 2 foot normal high
tide over the mean sea level creates a 17
foot storm tide). These phenomena cause
severe erosion and extensive damage to
coastal areas.
Despite improved warnings and a decrease
in the loss of life, property damage continues
to rise because an increasing number
of people are living or vacationing near
coastlines. Those in hurricane-prone
areas need to be prepared for hurricanes
and tropical storms.
A hurricane is a type of tropical
cyclone, the generic term for a low
pressure system that generally
forms in the tropics. The ingredients for a
hurricane include a pre-existing weather
disturbance, warm tropical oceans, moisture,
and relatively light winds aloft. A
typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms,
and in the Northern Hemisphere,
a counterclockwise circulation of
winds near the earth’s surface. Tropical
cyclones are classified as follows:
Tropical Depression. An organized
system of clouds and thunderstorms
with a defined surface circulation and
maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33
knots) or less. Sustained winds are defined
as one-minute average wind measured at
about 33 ft (10 meters) above the surface.
Tropical Storm. An organized system
of strong thunderstorms with a defined
surface circulation and maximum sustained
winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 knots).
Hurricane. An intense tropical weather
system of strong thunderstorms with
a well-defined surface circulation and
34 ARE YOU READY?
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY Hurricanes are classified into five categories
based on their wind speed, central
pressure and damage potential (see chart
below). Category Three and higher are considered
major hurricanes, though Category
One and Two are still extremely dangerous
and warrant your full attention.
Inland/freshwater flooding
from hurricanes
Hurricanes can produce widespread torrential
rains. Floods are the deadly and
destructive result. Excessive rain can also
trigger landslides or mud slides, especially
in mountainous regions. Flash flooding
can occur due to the intense rainfall.
Flooding on rivers and streams may persist
for several days or more after the storm.
The speed of the storm and the geography
beneath the storm are the primary factors
regarding the amount of rain produced.
Slow moving storms and tropical storms
moving into mountainous regions tend to
produce more rain.
Between 1970 and 1999, more people lost
their lives from freshwater flooding associated
with landfalling tropical cyclones
than from any other weather hazard related
to tropical cyclones.
See the “Floods” chapter for more specific
information on flood related emergencies.
What to do before
a hurricane
1. Know the difference between “Watches”
and “Warnings.”
• Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch—
Hurricane/tropical storm conditions
are possible in the specified area,
usually within 36 hours.
• Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning—
Hurricane/tropical storm conditions
are expected in the specified
area, usually within 24 hours.
• Short Term Watches and Warnings—
These warnings provide detailed information
on specific hurricane threats,
such as flash floods and tornadoes.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Scale Number Sustained Winds Damage Storm
(Category) (MPH) Surge
1 74-95 Minimal: Untied mobile homes,
vegetation and signs. 4-5 feet
2 96-110 Moderate: All mobile homes, roofs,
small crafts, flooding. 6-8 feet
3 111-130 Extensive: Small buildings, low-lying
roads cut off. 9-12 feet
4 131-155 Extreme: Roofs destroyed, trees
down, roads cut off, mobile homes
destroyed. Beach homes flooded. 13-18 feet
5 >155 Catastrophic: Most buildings
destroyed. Vegetation destroyed.
Major roads cut off. Homes flooded. >18 feet
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ARE YOU READY? 35
2. Listen for local radio or television
weather forecasts. Purchase a NOAA
Weather Radio with battery backup
and a tone-alert feature that automatically
alerts you when a Watch or Warning
is issued (tone alert is not available
in some areas). Purchase a batterypowered
commercial radio and extra
batteries as well because information
on other events will be broadcast by
the media.
3. Ask your local emergency management
office about community evacuation
plans relating to your
neighborhood. Learn
evacuation routes. Determine
where you would
go and how you would
get there if you needed
to evacuate. Sometimes
alternate routes are desirable.
4. Talk to your household
about hurricane issues.
Create a household disaster
plan. Plan to meet at
a place away from your
residence in case you
are separated. Choose an out-of-town
contact for everyone to call to say they
are safe.
5. Determine the needs of your household
members who may live elsewhere
but need your help in a hurricane.
Consider the special needs of neighbors,
such as people that are disabled
or those with limited sight or vision
problems.
6. Prepare to survive on your own for at
least three days. Assemble a disaster
supply kit. Keep a stock of food and
extra drinking water. See the “Emergency
Planning and Disaster Supplies”
and “Evacuation” chapters for more
information.
7. Make plans to secure your property.
Permanent storm shutters offer the
best protection for windows. A second
option is to board up windows with
5/8" marine plywood, cut to fit and
ready to install. Tape does not prevent
windows from breaking.
8. Learn how to shut off utilities and
where gas pilots and water mains are
located.
9. Have your home inspected
for compliance with local
building codes. Many of the
roofs destroyed by hurricanes
were not constructed or retrofitted
according to building
codes. Installing straps or
additional clips to securely
fasten your roof to the frame
structure will substantially
reduce roof damage.
10. Be sure trees and shrubs
around your home are well
trimmed. Dead limbs or trees could
cause personal injury or property
damage. Clear loose and clogged rain
gutters and downspouts.
11. If you have a boat, determine where to
secure it in an emergency.
12. Consider flood insurance. Purchase
insurance well in advance—there is
a 30-day waiting period before flood
insurance takes effect.
13. Make a record of your personal property.
Take photographs or videotapes
of your belongings. Store these documents
in a safe place.
Create a
household
disaster plan.
Plan to meet your
family in case you
are separated.
Choose an out-oftown
contact for
everyone to call to
say they are safe.
36 ARE YOU READY?
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY What to do during a
hurricane threat
1. Listen to radio or television newscasts.
If a hurricane “Watch” is issued, you
typically have 24 to 36 hours before
the hurricane hits land.
2. Talk with household members. Make
sure everyone knows where to meet
and who to call, in case you are separated.
Consider the needs of relatives
and neighbors with special needs.
3. Secure your home. Close
storm shutters. Secure
outdoor objects or bring
them indoors. Moor your
boat if time permits.
4. Gather several days’ supply
of water and food for
each household member.
Water systems may
become contaminated or
damaged. Sterilize (with
diluted bleach solution
of one part bleach to ten
parts water) and fill the
bathtub to ensure a supply of safe
water in case you are unable or told
not to evacuate. Refer to the “Shelter
and Emergency Planning” and “Disaster
Supplies” chapters for important
information.
5. If you are evacuating, take your disaster
supply kit with you to the shelter.
Remember that alcoholic beverages
and weapons are prohibited within
shelters. Also, pets are not allowed in
a public shelter due to health reasons.
See the “Animals in Disaster” chapter
and contact your local humane society
for additional information.
6. Prepare to evacuate. Fuel your car—
service stations may be closed after the
storm. If you do not have a car, make
arrangements for transportation with
a friend or relative. Review evacuation
routes. If instructed, turn off utilities
at the main valves.
7. Evacuate to an inland location, if:
• Local authorities announce an evacuation
and you live in an evacuation
zone.
• You live in a mobile home or temporary
structure—they are particularly
hazardous during hurricanes
no matter how well fastened
to the ground.
• You live in a high-rise. Hurricane
winds are stronger at
higher elevations.
• You live on the coast, on
a floodplain near a river or
inland waterway.
• You feel you are in danger.
8. When authorities order an
evacuation:
• Leave immediately.
• Follow evacuation routes
announced by local officials.
• Stay away from coastal areas, riverbanks
and streams.
• Tell others where you are going.
9. If you are not required or are unable
to evacuate, stay indoors during the
hurricane and away from windows and
glass doors. Keep curtains and blinds
closed. Do not be fooled if there is a
lull, it could be the eye of the storm—
winds will pick up again.
• Turn off utilities if told to do so by
authorities.
• If not instructed to turn off, turn the
refrigerator to its coldest setting and
keep closed.
• Turn off propane tanks.
Alcoholic
beverages and
weapons are
prohibited within
shelters. Also,
pets are not
allowed in public
shelters for
health reasons.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ARE YOU READY? 37
10. In strong winds, follow these rules:
• Take refuge in a small interior room,
closet or hallway.
• Close all interior doors. Secure and
brace external doors.
• In a two-story residence, go to an
interior first-floor room, such as a
bathroom or closet.
• In a multiple-story building, go to
the first or second floors and stay in
interior rooms away from windows.
• Lie on the floor under a table or another
sturdy object.
11. Avoid using the phone
except for serious emergencies.
Local authorities
need first priority on telephone
lines.
12. See the “Evacuation” chapter
for important information.
What to do after
a hurricane
1. Stay where you are if you
are in a safe location until local authorities
say it is safe to leave. If you
evacuated the community, do not
return to the area until authorities say
it is safe to return.
2. Keep tuned to local radio or television
stations for information about caring
for your household, where to find
medical help, how to apply for financial
assistance, etc.
3. Drive only when necessary. Streets
will be filled with debris. Roads may
have weakened and could collapse.
Do not drive on flooded or barricaded
roads or bridges. Closed roads are for
your protection. As little as six inches
of water may cause you to lose control
of your vehicle—two feet of water will
carry most cars away.
4. Do not drink or prepare food with tap
water until notified by officials that it is
safe to do so.
5. Consider your family’s health and safety
needs. Be aware of symptoms of stress
and fatigue. Keep your household together
and seek crisis counseling if you
have need. See the “Mental Health and
Crisis Counseling” section of the “Recovering
from Disaster” chapter for more
information.
6. Talk with your children
about what has happened and
how they can help during the
recovery. Being involved will
help them deal with the situation.
Consider the needs of
your neighbors. People often
become isolated during hurricanes.
7. Stay away from disaster
areas unless local authorities
request volunteers. If you are
needed, bring your own drinking
water, food and sleeping gear.
8. Stay away from riverbanks and streams
until potential flooding has passed. Do
not allow children, especially under
the age of 13, to play in flooded areas.
There is a high risk of injury or drowning
in areas that may appear safe.
9. Stay away from moving water. Moving
water only six inches deep can sweep
you off your feet. Standing water may
be electrically charged from underground
or downed power lines.
10. Stay away from downed power lines
and report them to the power company.
Report broken gas, sewer or water
mains to local officials.
Consider your
household’s
health and
safety needs
and be aware
of symptoms
of stress and
fatigue. Seek
crisis counseling
if you have need.
38 ARE YOU READY?
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 11. Don't use candles or other open flames
indoors. Use a flashlight to inspect
damage.
12. Set up a manageable schedule to repair
property.
13. Contact your insurance agent. An
adjuster will be assigned to visit your
home. To prepare:
• Take photos of your belongings and
your home or videotape them.
• Separate damaged and undamaged
belongings.
• Locate your financial records.
• Keep detailed records of cleanup
costs.
14. Consider building a “Safe Room or
Shelter” to protect your household. See
the “Thunderstorms” chapter for additional
information in the “Tornadoes”
section.
15. See the “Recovering From Disaster”
chapter for more important
