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Hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin runs from June 1st - November 30th.


HOW TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANES
 

  • Know your risk.  Storm surge is the #1 killer from tropical

cyclones (tropical depressions, tropical storms, hurricanes). 

Other threats are wind, flooding rainfall (including inland flooding),

and tornadoes.

  • Understand your homeowner's/renter's insurance policy and

consider purchasing Flood Insurance. Damage from rising water is NOT

included in a homeowner or renter insurance policy. Once you buy

Flood Insurance, it takes 30 days for the policy to take effect.

  • Know if you live in a FEMA-designated Flood Zone. 

Check your address at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home .

  • Inventory items in your home and take photos of each room. Doing

this will help insurance adjusters settle your claim.

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UNDERSTAND IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY

 

Tropical Depression = A tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds (one-minute average) of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.

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Tropical Storm = A tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 39-73 mph (34 to 63 knots).

 

Hurricane Watch =  Is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of 64 kt (74 mph) or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding. The watch does not mean that hurricane conditions will occur.

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Hurricane Warning = Is issued when sustained winds of 64 kt (74 mph) or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding, and/or river flooding.

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Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale 

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*** Know that every tropical cyclone is DIFFERENT.  Don't base your decisions based solely on the

category of the storm.  Focus on what the impacts will also be from storm surge, flooding and more! ***

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Image by NASA
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