Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a hurricane.
Prepare to secure your property.
Cover all of your home's windows to protect them from high winds. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection, but another 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.
Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down. Loose objects can become projectiles in high winds.
Keep all trees and shrubs around your house well trimmed.
Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
If you own a boat, determine how and where to secure it for the storm.
If you have a car, keep the the gas tank full in case evacuation orders are issued.
During a Hurricane...
Listen to the radio or TV for official news, updates and information.
Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
Turn off propane tanks. Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
Stay out of flood waters, if possible. The water may be contaminated or electrically charged. However, should you find yourself trapped in your vehicle in rising water get out immediately and seek higher ground.
Stay away from downed power lines to avoid the risk of electric shock or electrocution.
Do not return to your home until local authorities say it is safe. Even after the hurricane and after flood waters recede, roads may be weakened and could collapse. Buildings may be unstable, and drinking water may be contaminated. Use common sense and exercise caution.
When Is Evacuation Necessary?
If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
If you feel you are in danger.
If You Are Unable to Evacuate...
Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
Close all interior doors—secure and brace external 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.
Be alert for tornadoes and flooding. If you see a funnel cloud or if local authorities issue a tornado warning take shelter in an interior room away from windows
or in a closet or hallway in the lowest level of your house. If waters are rising quickly or local authorities issue a flash flood warning, seek higher ground.
Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a tropical storm or hurricane.
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 maximum sustained winds of 74 MPH (64 knots) or higher. See the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale for hurricane categories.
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch
An announcement issued when hurricane/tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat in the specified area, generally within 36 hours. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments.
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning
A warning is issued when hurricane/tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area, usually within 24 hours. Once issued, you should determine the safest location to be during the storm. If an evacuation order has been issued for your area, leave immediately for a safer location.
Short Term Watches and Warnings
Provide detailed information about specific threats associated with hurricane/tropical storm conditions, such as flash floods and tornadoes.
Storm Surge
A dome of water pushed onshore by hurricane and tropical storm winds. Storm surges can reach 25 feet high and be 50–1000 miles wide.
Storm Tide
A combination of 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 created a 17-foot storm tide).
A classification scale of five categories based on a hurricane's wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential (see chart below). Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two can still be extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.
Category
Sustained Winds
Damage
Storm Surge
Category 1
74-95 mph
Minimal; Unanchored mobile homes, vegetation and signs
4-5 ft
Category 2
96-110 mph
Moderate; All mobile homes, roofs, small crafts, flooding.
6-8 ft
Category 3
111-130 mph
Extensive; Small buildings, low-lying roads cut off.
9-12 ft
Category 4
131-155 mph
Extreme; Roofs destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, mobile homes destroyed. Beach homes flooded.
13-18 ft
Category 5
> 155 mph
Catastrophic; Most buildings destroyed. Vegetation destroyed. Major roads cut off. Homes flooded.
> 18 ft
For more information on hurricane preparedness and how to protect your property from hurricane damage visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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