Hurricanes

A hurricane is defined as a cyclone that forms in the Pacific Ocean and has winds of over 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour. The storm will have strong winds, intense rain, and a potential storm surge (a wave of water ahead of the storm that is pushed by the winds).

Thankfully, the National Hurricane Center monitors the storms and provides a significant warning before a storm hits. The advance notice ranges from a few days to a few weeks and gives time for individuals, families, and governments to prepare.

Hurricane season typically runs from June to November in the Pacific, and about the same time in the Atlantic Ocean (hurricanes that form in the Atlantic are called typhoons.) The south/southeast seaboard of the United States is typically the area affected by hurricanes. Specifically, the following states in the U.S. are the ones normally impacted -

• Florida
• Texas
• Louisiana
• North/South Carolina

Hurricanes are rated on a scale of 1 to 5. Category 1 is rated as the least severe, with a max wind speed of 95mph/152kph. A Category 5 is rated as the most severe, with a max wind speed of 156mph/251kph+

Hurricanes can strengthen rapidly. If one is approaching, you should be tuned into the weather daily at the very least. A Cat. 1 can strengthen to a Cat 3 or 4 within days.

The primary dangers from Hurricanes are flying debris, and the storm surge. Secondary dangers can include damage to infrastructure. As with other disasters, getting out of the path of a hurricane is the best option. While it's possible to ride out a lower-rated hurricane, evacuation orders should not be discounted.

It's key to get supplies regardless before the storm hits. Stores will be emptied by those who didn't think ahead.

Supplies for a hurricane are extremely similar to that for an extended power outage. They include:

• 1-2 weeks of non-perishable food, water, and essential medications
• First aid
• Key documents
• Flashlight
• Heavy-duty gloves for moving debris
• Thick gaiters for wading through contaminated water
• Plywood cut-outs for windows (or better, hurricane shutters)
• Communications methods (walkie talkies, battery-powered radio, and cell phone battery packs/chargers.
• Spare food and items for pets
• Potential solar backup battery bank to charge phones/radios/flashlight batteries.
• Backup gasoline/additional fuel for a generator

The following is a more comprehensive list from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency.) It offers more in-depth descriptions as well as potential printouts of what to do before, during, and after a hurricane hits.

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazard/hurricane/2010/hurricane_week_preparedness_factsheet_ready.pdf

A hurricane will bring heavy rain, a potential storm surge, and strong winds as it nears land. The following are some basic steps to perform as landfall nears.

• Monitor the storm's progress via phone, website, radio, or other media
• Board up/cover windows (or install storm shutters)
• Have go-bags (bug-out-bags) packed and ready to go with other supplies if an evacuation is ordered
• Listen for evacuation orders, and don't delay if one is issued!
• Be aware that if sent to a shelter for safety, they may not have spare power. Pack a spare set of battery packs to charge phones/other items
• Storm shelters may not allow pets. Have this in mind when evaluating whether to evacuate before a storm or wait for a potential order to do so
• Do not assume you can ride it out. A hurricane can easily destroy homes and buildings with winds, flying debris, and flooding/a storm surge. Ignoring evacuation orders puts first responders at risk if you need help later. Operate on the better-safe-than-sorry principle in terms of evacuation

After a hurricane, the local neighborhood may be anywhere from mildly inconvenienced, to utterly unrecognizable. Utilities will likely be down for a short, or extended period. Treat all downed wires as live, and tune into local news stations for recovery efforts.

As communications may be spotty, having a communications plan to stay in touch with your family with out-of-state contacts is key, as is adding walkie-talkies to your kits for when you're helping around the neighborhood. Help your neighbors recover. A simple way is to run an extension cord from a generator to help charge other's devices.