+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # Hurricanes and Coastal Storms                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| A [hurricane]{.underline} is a violent area of low pressure forming   |
| in the tropical Atlantic Ocean from June to November. August and      |
| September are peak months. (Similar Western Pacific Ocean storms are  |
| called [typhoons]{.underline}.) Hurricanes have winds of 75 miles per |
| hour or more and are accompanied by torrential rains and---along      |
| coastal areas---a [storm surge]{.underline}.                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Although coastal storms may have hurricane-force winds and may cause  |
| similar kinds and amounts of damage, they are not classified as       |
| hurricanes because they do not originate in the tropics. Coastal      |
| storms typically form along the east coast from December through      |
| March.                                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Hurricanes and coastal storms pose a risk because powerful and        |
| intense winds and rain can:                                           |
|                                                                       |
| -   Damage or destroy structures.                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| -   Lift and move unstable structures and objects.                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   Damage utility lines.                                             |
|                                                                       |
| -   Be accompanied by tornadoes.                                      |
|                                                                       |
| -   Cause coastal erosion.                                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Cause floods.                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Threaten lives.                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| The accompanying heavy rains can inundate coastal areas and inland    |
| communities, presenting another risk to life and property.            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Hurricane Classifications**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **Category**    | **Barometric**  | **Windspeed**   | **Storm**       |
|                 |                 |                 |                 |
|                 | **Pressure      | **(Miles Per    | **Surge         |
|                 | (Inches)**      | Hour)**         | (Feet)**        |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| I - Minimal     | Above 28.94     | 74-95           | 4-5             |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| II - Moderate   | 28.50-28.91     | 96-110          | 6-8             |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| III - Extensive | 27.91-28.47     | 111-130         | 9-12            |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| IV - Extreme    | 27.17-27.88     | 131-155         | 13-18           |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| V -             | Less Than 27.17 | More Than 155   | More than 18    |
| Catastrophic    |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # Hurricanes and Coastal Storms (Continued)                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| The [greatest]{.underline} likelihood of a hurricane striking land is |
| along the Gulf Coast and the southeastern seaboard. However,          |
| hurricanes have also hit central Pennsylvania and the coasts of New   |
| Jersey, New York, and New England.                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Each year approximately 10 "storm-strength" weather disturbances are  |
| detected in the North Atlantic. Of these, half may grow to hurricane  |
| proportion. Two hurricanes are likely to strike the U.S. coast each   |
| year.                                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Nearly 100 million Americans are at risk from hurricanes.             |
| Specifically:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Almost 14 million live in the area where winds greater than 125   |
|     mph have been recorded (i.e., the tip of Florida to the North     |
|     Carolina coast).                                                  |
|                                                                       |
| -   More than 6 million live in storm surge areas.                    |
|                                                                       |
| Although deaths from hurricanes are decreasing as hurricane warning   |
| systems improve, property damage is on the rise.                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Many people do not realize the threat that hurricanes can             |
| present---even if they live in hurricane-prone areas---because they   |
| have not experienced a "major" hurricane.                             |
|                                                                       |
| There are certain preparations that people who live in high-risk      |
| areas should take to prepare for a hurricane or coastal storm         |
| [before]{.underline} one occurs.                                      |
|                                                                       |
| The following are preparations:                                       |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Know the risk and evacuation routes]{.underline}. Being aware of |
|     the risk and how to get out of the area as quickly as possible    |
|     should an evacuation order be issued is one of the key            |
|     preparedness steps to take. Driving the evacuation routes to      |
|     ensure familiarity before a storm and identifying shelter         |
|     locations will make an evacuation smoother.                       |
|                                                                       |
| ```{=html}                                                            |
| <!-- -->                                                              |
| ```                                                                   |
| -   [Develop an action plan]{.underline}. When will you begin         |
|     preparing your home for possible high winds and storm surge? How  |
|     much time will it take you to evacuate, if necessary? Does your   |
|     evacuation route change based on the direction of the storm? Will |
|     you go to a shelter or a hotel? These are all questions that      |
|     anyone who lives in a high-risk area should answer as part of     |
|     hurricane or coastal storm planning.                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Secure needed supplies]{.underline}. If you assemble your        |
|     disaster supply kits as suggested in this unit, you will have     |
|     everything that you need for hurricane and coastal storm          |
|     preparedness.                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # Hurricanes and Coastal Storms (Continued)                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| -   [Floodproof property]{.underline}. Floodproofing can range from   |
|     using a water sealer in areas that have basements to sandbagging  |
|     to elevating utilities to moving furniture to the second floor.   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| -   [Secure mobile homes]{.underline} and any outdoor items that      |
|     could be picked up by the wind or washed away.                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| These are the steps that everyone who is at risk should take before a |
| hurricane strikes:                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Board up all windows and glass doors]{.underline}. Studies have  |
|     shown that if the wind can be kept out of a structure, the        |
|     structure will withstand high winds relatively well. If wind is   |
|     allowed inside, however, additional structural and nonstructural  |
|     damage will occur very quickly. The best way to prevent wind from |
|     getting into a structure is to cover all windows and glass doors  |
|     with plywood or to close hurricane shutters.                      |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Check batteries]{.underline}. Often electricity is disrupted by  |
|     hurricanes (and coastal storms) and, depending on the extent of   |
|     damage, may not be restored immediately. Check batteries for      |
|     flashlights and portable radios to ensure that they are fresh.    |
|     Replace old batteries, and have extra on hand.                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Stock up on nonperishable food]{.underline}. A 3-day supply of   |
|     food and water for each family member is a must.                  |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Listen to EAS]{.underline} for local emergency information.      |
|     Local officials will have the most current emergency information  |
|     about the storm (including watch and warning information from the |
|     National Weather Service) and will provide information and        |
|     instructions via EAS.                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| During a hurricane:                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Stay indoors]{.underline}. If advised to evacuate, do so.        |
|     However, do not assume that because an evacuation order is not    |
|     issued that the situation is safe. Even Category 1 hurricanes are |
|     dangerous. Stay indoors and listen to EAS for up-to-date          |
|     information.                                                      |
|                                                                       |
| > If advised to shelter in place:                                     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Take the family disaster supply kit.                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Go to an interior "safe" room, if possible.                       |
|                                                                       |
| -   Stay in the safe room and listen to EAS for additional            |
|     instructions.                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| ```{=html}                                                            |
| <!-- -->                                                              |
| ```                                                                   |
| -   [Stay away from flood waters]{.underline}. If the home begins to  |
|     flood, go to a higher level, if possible.                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Be aware of the "eye]{.underline}." The "eye" of a hurricane is  |
|     typically 20 to 30 miles wide in relation to the storm, which may |
|     have a diameter of 400 miles. During the "eye," there are very    |
|     few clouds, but it is important to remember that the storm is not |
|     over.                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Be alert for tornadoes]{.underline}. Tornadoes are frequently    |
|     associated with hurricanes, and are most common in the            |
|     right-front quadrant of the storm.                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| # Hurricanes and Coastal Storms (Continued)                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| After a hurricane or coastal storm:                                   |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Do not reenter the area until it is declared safe]{.underline}.  |
|     Reentry to the area too soon may cause unnecessary risk---and may |
|     keep first responders and utility workers from doing their jobs.  |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Use a flashlight to inspect for damage]{.underline}. Do not      |
|     assume that utilities are undamaged following a hurricane or      |
|     coastal storm. Checking for damage with a flashlight reduces the  |
|     risk of injury, especially from a damaged electric supply.        |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Stay away from downed power lines]{.underline}. The only sure    |
|     way to limit risk from downed power lines is to avoid them        |
|     completely.                                                       |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Turn off utilities]{.underline}, if necessary. If there is a gas |
|     smell or a fire, turn off the gas valve. If there is damage to    |
|     electric lines or supply, shut off the electricity by turning off |
|     small circuit breakers (or unscrewing fuses) first, then turning  |
|     off the main breaker (or fuse).                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Note:** If you turn off the gas valve, [only the gas                |
| company]{.underline} can restore the service.                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Reserve the telephone for emergency use]{.underline}. Telephone  |
|     lines are invariably overloaded following a disaster or           |
|     emergency. Reserving telephone use (both landline and cellular)   |
|     for emergency use helps to ensure that those calls that must go   |
|     through do so.                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Listen to EAS]{.underline} for updated information. Local        |
|     officials will use EAS extensively to provide emergency           |
|     information and instructions. Be sure to tune in often for        |
|     updates.                                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

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