Hurricanes bring flooding, high wind, storm surge and destruction. Being prepared for these eventualities can minimize your risks, keep everyone safe and decrease your recovery time.
KNOW THE TERMS
- Tropical Cyclone: a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical and
subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation. - Tropical Depression: has maximum sustained winds of 38 mph.
- Tropical Storm: has maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph.
- Hurricane: has maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher. Known as typhoons in the western North
Pacific; similar storms in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean are called cyclones. - Major Hurricane: has maximum sustained winds of 111 mph or higher. Corresponds to a Category 3, 4 or 5
on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. - Storm Surge: an abnormal rise of water generated by hurricane and tropical storm winds. Storm surges can
reach 25 feet high and be 50-1000 miles wide, rushing many miles inland in flat areas. - Safir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: a 1-5 rating based on a hurricane’s wind speed and potential impact based on the wind speed. Per the National Hurricane Center, the categories are:
- Category 1: Very dangerous winds will produce some damage. 74-95 mph.
- Category 2: Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. 96-110 mph.
- Category 3: Devastating damage will occur. 111-129 mph.
- Category 4: Catastrophic damage will occur. 130-156 mph.
- Category 5: Catastrophic damage will occur. 157 mph+.
KNOW THE RISK
- Heavy rainfall can cause severe flooding over wide areas.
- Hurricanes can create deadly tornadoes.
- Storm surges can cause extreme flooding and are the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane.
- Wind damage varies widely based on hurricane category but could topple trees or knock out power.
ADDITIONAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES
• Ready.gov’s Hurricane Preparedness
• FEMA’s How to Prepare for a Hurricane
• FEMA’s Ready Business Hurricane Toolkit
• American Red Cross’ Hurricane Preparedness Guide
• National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Surge Map (SLOSH)