Hurricane season is just around the corner! The season is a long one as it generally runs from June 1st through November 30th each year. It won’t be long before we’ll observe or hear about some hurricanes headed toward the United States. I wanted to update this post since Hurricanes can be scary for those who have to endure them, and also for family and friends watching from the outside. If you live in an area where hurricanes are frequent, you are going to want to be prepared for a hurricane!
It’s interesting to hear and contemplate the term hurricane as someone who has lived the majority of my life inland and far from any coastal areas. We did live in Southern Utah for a number of years and actually lived near a city called Hurricane. I couldn’t understand why they’d call it by that name until one day we were shopping there when one of their famous wind storms came on. Palm trees were bent in half, dust everywhere, and power lines in some areas had dropped to the ground. Crazy!
We hear a lot about climate change and the effect it has on current weather trends. The US is experiencing more storms, and the severity of those storms has increased. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) decided to declare this week in early May as Hurrican Preparedness Week. They want people in areas affected by Hurricanes to plan ahead and be ready for the pending hurricane season NOW.
Although hurricanes typically make their first appearance in early June, it is anticipated that 2022 will be the 8th year in a row for a “named” storm to hit the coast of the US before June 1st.
Be Prepared for a Hurricane
When it comes to a hurricane, you can never be too prepared or too knowledgeable. Below, you will learn the following about hurricanes:
- What is a hurricane
- Parts of a hurricane
- Different Types of Hurricanes
- How dangerous is a hurricane
- How to Plan ahead
- Items to Have on Hand
- How to Bunker Down
- How to Evacuate
What is a Hurricane
According to NASA, a hurricane is a large, swirling storm. It can produce winds of 74 miles per hour or higher. To give you an example of how fast that is, it is faster than a cheetah. A cheetah is the fastest animal on land.
Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters. Many times they stay over the ocean surface, but they can strike on land too. When it reaches land, it pushes an enormous wall of ocean water ashore. This is called a storm surge. These storm surges and heavy rains cause flooding, damage to buildings, and damage to trees and other foliage.
Parts of a Hurricane
In order for NASA to properly identify a hurricane, they must see all the parts of a hurricane. These parts include:
- The Eye: The eye of the storm is where the winds are light. The skies were partly cloudy and can be clear. The eye is basically a “hole” in the center of the storm.
- The Eyewall: The wildest part of the storm is the ring of thunderstorms around the eye. This is called the eyewall. It is the strongest part of the storm.
- The Rain bands: Those who don’t actually go through the hurricane but are feeling the effects are probably in the rain bands. Rain bands can stretch for hundreds of miles surrounding the hurricane.
The great thing about hurricanes, however, is that once a hurricane forms, weather forecasters can predict the type of hurricane it is, its projected destructive power, and its path. This can help you and others get ready for the storm once you hear the news about the anticipated direction it will take.
Different Types of Hurricanes
Now you might think that a cheetah is fast, but trust me, the winds of a hurricane can be much much faster. In fact, 74 miles per hour is actually a very mild hurricane. There are five different types of hurricanes. The types of hurricanes are based on wind speed.
Hurricane Types
Hurricane types are put into categories. Those who live in an area where hurricanes frequent will know if they are dealing with a category 1 or category 5 hurricane. Here’s the breakdown:
- A Category 1: Winds 74-95 mph and is faster than a cheetah.
- Category 2: Winds 96-110 mph which is as fast or faster than a baseball pitcher’s fastball
- A Category 3: Winds 111-129 mph and that is similar, or close, to the serving speed of many professional tennis players.
- Category 4: Winds of 130-156 mph which is faster than the world’s fastest rollercoaster.
- A Category 5: Winds more than 157 mph which is similar to the speed of a high-speed bullet train.
How Dangerous is a Hurricane?
As you may know, any hurricane can be dangerous. There will be some damage no matter what. However, as the hurricane category goes up, so do the risk and dangers as follows:
- Category 1: At winds of 74-95 mph, a category 1 hurricane is somewhat dangerous and will generally cause some minor or limited damage, depending on how long it tends to stay in place. It might include damage to roofs, shingles, vinyl siding, and rain gutters. You’ll also usually see some large tree branches snap off.
- Category 2: With winds of 96-110 mph, the category 2 hurricane starts becoming extremely dangerous. Winds will cause extensive damage. There is a bigger risk of injury and death. Expect to see near-total power loss as it passes communities in its path.
- Category 3: When winds get up to 111-129 mph it means there is a high risk of injury or death. Nearly all mobile homes will experience severe damage or be destroyed. The devastation will be extensive as trees will snap or be totally uprooted. Don’t count on access to clean water or the use of electricity for several days to weeks.
- Category 4: Considered a catastrophic storm as winds get up to 130-156 mph, there is even a higher chance of death for people and livestock. Most mobile homes will be destroyed. Even well-built framed homes will see severe damage as they lose roofs, siding, windows, trees, and other property damage like exterior wall loss. More power poles will be tipped over too.
- Category 5: Let’s pray that wind speeds don’t get above 157 mph. Category 5 hurricanes cause catastrophic damage. Most homes will be completely destroyed. And Whole communities can experience near-total destruction. Most homes will become uninhabited for weeks to months. Get out!
How to Plan Ahead to Be Prepared for a Hurricane
Whether you are facing a category 1 or a category 5 hurricane, it is important to plan ahead. You never know the extent of damage you’ll experience, how long you will be without power, or exactly what might happen to you or your property. Here are a few ways you can plan ahead:
Look for Possible Airborne Items
Check around your house and yard. Is there anything that can become airborne in a storm? Things like container plants, hanging baskets, tools, lawn furniture, toys, bicycles, trampolines, and playhouses need to be secured. Make a list of all these things you will need to secure or bring inside.
Plan to Cover Your Windows
If you live on a barrier island or near the coast, you may have to cover your windows with plywood to keep them protected. You will want to do this BEFORE you are under a storm watch. Here’s what you do:
- Get ⅝ inch exterior-grade plywood.
- Measure and cut pieces for each window.
- Mark which piece goes to which window.
- Pre-drill screw holes every 18 inches.
You will want to do this because wind, water, and sand can seep in causing damage. Also, windows could break causing even more damage to the interior of your home and may cause personal injury to you, members of your family, and family pets.
Stock Up to Be Prepared for a Hurricane
Obviously, stocking up is going to have to be done well before a hurricane is in sight. If you live in an area where you know hurricanes frequently visit, you will want to prepare long before you need to. Here is what you can start doing now:
- Store 4-gallons of water per person per day.
- Read and stock up on Survival Food Storage.
- Put extra clothing in water safe containers.
- Store extra cash in waterproof containers.
- If you have an infant, be sure to have an inventory of baby food.
If you know of other things you can’t live without, make sure you have them in an easy-to-access place.
Make an Important Documents Binder
What happens to paper when it gets wet? Having a binder that can be kept safe from disaster and can easily be grabbed is an essential part of planning for a hurricane. You don’t want to be without your homeowner’s insurance after a hurricane has destroyed your home. Check out this Free Emergency Binder Kit to make sure you have all your important documents on hand.
Items to Have on Hand
In addition to stocking up on things, it is important to know what you are going to need to have on hand in the event of a hurricane. You will want these items stored in a safe place and easy to access. Here is a list of hurricane items you must have:
- Cooking devices
- Blankets
- N-95 masks
- Gloves
- Work gloves
- Toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer/soap
- Cleaning supplies
- Hygiene supplies
- First Aid Kit
- Solar phone charger
- Menstrual supplies
- Flashlights for everyone
How to Bunker Down
If you plan on staying through the storm and bunkering down, you know a hurricane is on the way. Hopefully, you have already planned ahead, you have stocked up on food and water, and have the necessary hurricane items discussed above. Here is what you need to be prepared for a hurricane if you are planning to bunker down:
- Make sure your stored water is not older than 6-months. If it is, replace it. Prepare for at least 3-days.
- Update contact information. Get updated phone numbers, addresses, and meeting locations.
- Prepare a disaster plan. Talk to all your family members. Make sure they know where to go and what to do if you get separated.
- Prepare your car. Make sure you have a tire repair kit, a small shovel, and road maps in your car. Fill your gas tank prior to the storm.
- Harvest your crops. The strong winds of a hurricane will destroy your garden. Go ahead and harvest all your vegetables that are ripe or close to ripe.
- Start securing items. Bring unsecured items inside or start tying them down. Use your list.
- Start boarding your windows. Now is the time to get that plywood up.
- Fill prescriptions. If you take medication, you are going to want to get all your prescriptions filled before the storm.
- Locate all your hurricane items. Make sure you know where your flashlights, rope, sanitary supplies, food supplies, and other items are. If necessary put them up high.
- Take out cash. You may have some cash stored, but make sure you take what you think you may need out of your bank accounts. Remember, many electronic devices won’t be working, and that could include ATMs, credit card readers, terminals, and point of sale devices at stores, etc. Cash could become “king” in these situations.
How to Evacuate
If there is a hurricane heading your way that is stronger than a category 2, you may want to evacuate. Actually, you may not be given a choice as local authorities determine the severity of the pending storm. Evacuation will be necessary if you live in a mobile home as most will not withstand a hurricane. If you are planning to get the heck out of Dodge, here’s what you need to do:
- Leave early. You want to leave while you still have daylight and before the big rush starts. Roads become clogged very quickly if an evacuation order is given.
- Turn off all your water.
- Keep your freezers and refrigerators on.
- Tell someone you are leaving. You want them to know how you are traveling, where you are going, and who is with you.
- If you have pets you can’t take, put them on the highest level of your home.
- Bring water and nonperishable food. If driving, have enough for the long haul.
- Grab your binder with all your important documents.
Who Normally Predicts Hurricane Activity?
I may seem strange, based on their location in the Western States, but researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) have been predicting and tracking hurricane activity for years. They are expecting the 2022 hurricane season to be another very active one. Usually, the season will include three major hurricanes, those are ones with a category of 3 or higher. The CSU team is expecting four major hurricanes this year. They are also predicting 19 “named storms and nine lesser hurricanes.
Besides the NOAA, hurricanes are monitored and activity predicted by The Weather Company (TWC). Their predictions are very similar to the CSU forecasts and similar to 2021. They predict 20 tropical storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes during 2022.
The scary part is that the storms are not only more frequent but also more powerful. Historically, the average storm frequency from 1991 to 2020 was seven hurricanes and three were considered major. In the last century, only 52% of category 3 hurricanes made landfall, but meteorologists are suggesting that this year that percentage will be a whopping 71%!
Does the Frequency of Hurricanes Mean Much More Destruction?
The Florida Director of Emergency Management, Kevin Guthrie, tells people not to get too caught up in the number of hurricanes. He recently reminded attendees at a convention that the 1992 hurricane season was predicted to be a fairly mild one. The challenge was, that the very first hurricane of that season was Hurricane Andrew, a category 5 storm that proved to be the most destructive in Florida history, and the third strongest hurricane to ever hit the U.S. mainland.
How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?
Since 1953 the names for tropical storms have come from six lists that were generated at that time. So, in essence, you might see the same names given every six years. The only exceptions are if the name was retired due to the severity of the storm based on loss of life and property. Some retired names are Katrina, Dorian, and Irma.
The names you’ll see this year include Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, and Hermine. The list goes on to include Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Martin, and Nicole. If the season is as active as expected, you could also see Owen, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tobias, Virginie, and Walter. Keep your eyes and ears open, it could be a wild storm season in 2022!
Final Word
Whether you plan to bunker down or get out of Dodge, a hurricane can be scary. However, luck favors the prepared, so make sure you know how to be prepared for a hurricane.
If you have any questions, concerns, or advice about hurricanes, please share them in the comments below! May God Bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Hurricane Irma AdobeStock_171083324 by Satoshi Kina