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Hurricane Warning Hurricane Preparedness and Impacts Guide

Here at hurricane warning we believe the best way to deal with a hurricane impact is to be knowledgable about hurricane impacts occuring before, after, and during the storm and knowing how to prepare for them. For this reason we have provided hurricane preperation tips and hurricane impacts information below.

Hurricane Impacts

Hurricanes are undoubtedly one of the worst natural 
phenomena on Earth. They cause impacts economically even before the storm 
hits and when they hit they combine wind, storm surge, tornadoes, and flooding
to cause unbeleivable destruction which can cripple a city for months and  
leave it scarred for decades. Below are the impacts of hurricanes divided into
before, during, and after sections and how you should prepare for each. 

Before The Storm

Before the storm is a crucial part of the preperation 
process. During this time you must make proper precautions to protect life and 
property. Also, everyone should be prepared for a storm the entire hurricane 
season, this is regardless if there is a storm or not. Remember, when a 
hurricane threatens it is nearly impossible to get supplies as everyone will be
trying to. Also, remember that your supplies should be enough to survive at 
least 2 weeks and hopefully FEMA will supply you after that. Here are some 
things that should be done well ahead of a storm:

*Learn about your communities emergency evacuation plans, signals, and
warnings.
*Identify home hazards such as trees and have them reguraly trimmed to
prevent property damage. Also, have shutters on stand-by for a hurricane.
*Designate a safe room. 
*Buy a fire extinguisher and know where it is.
*Know where all important papers are.
*Have emergency phone numbers at every phone.
*Inform local authorities about special needs people.
*Have a pet safety plan such as plans of where the dog should go for a 
hurricane or back up dog supplies.
*Buy a generator. 
*Make a stock pile of non-perishable goods and water.

A stockpile of water is always a smart thing too have all of hurricane season. (image courtesy of Nugentec)

Another crucial part of the preperation process is what 
should be done within 48 hours of the storm. Below is what should be done
within 48 hours of a storm:

*Check if stockpile is enough for at least 2 weeks and buy goods if it isnt.
*Take proper precautions for pets such as sending them to a safe kennel.
*Put up shutters. Corrogated alluminum shutters that screw into the wall
are the best. Wood just doesn't stand up and neither does roll downs. 
*Re check all hazards around the house and fix them.
*Clean out gutters to prevent water damage.
*Bring in all movable objects such as plants, chairs, construction debris, etc.
If left un checked they will become missiles.
*Dust off the generator. Get a gas stock pile and use correct storage techniques.
*Fill all vehichles with gas to the brim.
*Get cash as credit cards dont work after hurricanes.
*Send all special needs people to designated locations.
*Evacuate if required or you know your house isnt safe. Never just stick it out
especially if you live on the beach or by water. 
*Get flash lights and plenty of batteries.
*Get a radio. This is extremely important!
*Secure your boat correctly.
*Get sandbags and make a sandbag dam if you know your house is in flood
danger. 
*Continue to listen to messages from local authorities and the hurricane center.
*Know what a tropical storm watch/warning and hurricane watch/warning are.
Tropical storm watch means windspeeds over 39 mph probable within 36 hours.
 Tropical storm warning means winds over 39 mph likely within 24 hours. A
hurricane watch means winds over 74 mph probable within 36 hours. A
hurricane warning means winds over 74 mph likely within 24 hours.
*Use cone of forecast error to get a general idea of time left until an impact.
*Remember that storm impacts occur well before the actual center of a
hurricane.

The cone of error is a good thing to use to understand your risk and how much time you have left to prepare. Just remember it is liable to change and impacts occur well ahead of a storm.

During the Storm

During the storm can be the scariest part of a 
hurricane impact. This is because the hurricane is unleashing its fury of wind, 
rain, storm surge, and tornado/vorticities on the outside. Below are the main 
impacts of a hurricane and how to survive each. 

Wind

Wind is a very dangerous aspect of tropical cyclones.
Winds in tropical cyclones range from 25 mph to around 200 mph. One must 
remember that all of these windspeeds are very dangerous to be exposed too. 
Stay tuned to media reports and once winds have exceeded 20 mph everyone
should go inside. This is because things can get knocked loose at 20 mph and
potentially hit and kill someone. All things should be inside at this point or they
will become projectiles. As winds increase, stay away from unprotected 
windows or all windows for that matter as your shutter could fail. If a shutter
fails, immediately head to a safe room. A safe room is a room with no windows
and it would be better if its closed off from the rest of the house. Also, if power
goes out dont light candles! If you start a fire no fireman will come. Just use
flashlights instead. If worse comes to worse and the roof fails or the walls, get a
matress and get under it! If your safe room remains intact hold the door.
This will hopefully spare you from flying debris. Dont go outside until the all 
clear is given on the radio and be very wary when you do go outside due to 
downed powerlines and other dangerous objects on the ground. Once again, 
wait for the all clear. This is because the winds may stop in the eye and if you
go outside you could be killed when the backside of the storm comes. 

The above image shows strong wind in a hurricane which can be very dangerous.

Rain

Rain is usually the last worry of people in a tropical cyclone. It seems harmless, 
afterall its just rain. This ideal can't be farther 
from the truth. A tropical cyclone usually dumps anywhere between 5 and 30 
inches of rain. It can start getting near 100 though in a worse case scenario.
100 inches of rain is ALOT of water. If you live in a low lying area or by a river,
chances are youre gonna be flooded. If a tropical cyclone is coming and you 
know youre house is prone to flooding, evacuate to higher ground. If you stick
it out and your sandbag dam fails, the best advice would be to get to an upper 
floor or on furniture. Hopefully it wont have to come to getting on the roof, which
you cant do in a hurricane anyways. Obviously, evacuating before the storm is 
the best choice. Also, if youre on the road (you shouldnt be!) dont drive through
water. It may wash you off the road which will likely lead to drowning. Once the
all clear is given for the tropical cyclone, do not go in the water! You might be 
injured by an organism or downed lines and even pointy objects that are in the 
water. Remember, all tropical cyclones carry a rain threat! Just because it is 
only a tropical depression doesnt mean it cant dump enough rain for a major
flood.

This image above shows how rain can be a major danger in tropical cyclones.

Storm Surge and Waves

Storm surge is the most dangerous hurricane impact.
This is shown through the fact that 9 out of 10 hurricane deaths are caused by storm surge. 
Storm surge is a bulge of water caused by winds piling up water in 
a storm and pressure pulling the water upwards. Storm surge can also be 
affected by the continental shelf shape and high tide. If the continental shelf is
shallow and gently sloping the surge will have more affect. If it is steep it will 
have less affect. If the tide is low there will be less surge, if it is high there will
be more surge.Also, Low lying land is more prone to storm surge. Waves on top of 
storm surge add to total storm surge damage. When a storm surge impacts land it




This diagram shows how storm surge and waves come on shore from the ocean
and how they differ from normal tides.

is nearly unstoppable. Only the strongest dykes and dams can stop it. If you live in
a storm surge zone for the tropical cyclone that is approaching you should
evacuate. This can be determined through storm surge maps provided by the 
media. If you dont evacuate and the surge comes you wont be able to hide from
it and will be lucky to survive. Obviously the best option is to evacuate. 

The above image shows the extreme power of storm surge.

Tornadoes/Vorticities

Tornadoes/Vorticities are one of the most tricky 
aspects of a hurricane. They are hard to distinguish if they ever happened due to 
the rapid movement of tropical cyclone storm cells and the intense rain and wind
obscuring the tornadoes/vorticities. Also, thier damage blends in with regular 
tropical cyclone damage. Even so, tornadoes/vorticities are still dangerous. They 
can cause major damage and injure or kill someone in the middle of a relatively 
light rainband. This is another reason everyone should stay inside during a 
tropical cyclone. Tornadoes/vorticities can occur throughout a cyclone but, are 
favored in the rainbands. They are also more likely in the right front quadrant. 
In the southern hemisphere they are favored in the left front quadrant. Remember, 
the best way to avoid tornadoes/vorticities in a tropical cyclone 
is by being inside.

This is a very rare photograph of a tropical cyclone tornado.

After The Storm

After a hurricane is the most dangerous time of a 
hurricane impact. During this time there are many hazards such as downed power 
lines, debri, and flood waters. There also hazards such as crime and looters. It is 
very important to know how to handle hurricane aftermath and below is a guide 
on how to do this so life and property are protected.

The aftermath of a hurricane can be very dangerous and filled with hazards as seen by the image above.

*Continue to listen to the radio until all clear is given and then you can go outside.
*When you go outside be extremely cautious. Do not step in water as you might be
electrecuted or harmed by organisms. Wear shoes to prevent cuts on your feet.
*Do not rummage through debri as you might be injured.
*Watch out for hazards such as loose trees, limbs, and buildings. 
*Report all downed power lines to the correct authority.
*Get all in need of medical help medical attention. 
*Dont drive through flood waters and stay tuned for flood warnings as rain may
continue.
*Report and help any injured people you see.
*Check all electrical equipment before turning it on.
*If you have a well and it had a flood over it make sure it is safe before using 
it again.
*Ventilate the house by opening windows.
*Check regrigerattor and all foods for food spoilage.
*Dont pump basement water out to fast to prevent collapse.
*Find the nearest FEMA location for supplies when they come. Media reports 
will instruct you.
*Get to a safe place if house was compromised. 
*If there are looters in your neighberhood get out of there or have proper
armarment. 
*Find all your pets and provide them with help if needed after a storm.
*Inform your insurance company about all damage to property. 
*Only return to evacuated areas when all clear is given.
*Do not use candles to prevent fire.
*Do not place a generator near a window to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
*Operate chainsaws safely if removing debris.
*Check if city water is safe and if not first boil the water. Then add 16 drops of
bleach per gallon. Let stand 30 minutes. If it smells of chlorine it is safe.If it doesnt
its not safe.
*Continue to listen to media reports for bulletins such as safety and schools.

Hurricane aftermath can be very dangerous and the correct steps must be taken to protect life and property.

Please heed all warnings and advisories posted by the National Weather Service and the NHC. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be used to make any decisions.