The center, or eye, of a hurricane is relatively calm. The most violent activity takes place in the area immediately around the eye, called the eyewall. Some of the air, however, moves inward and sinks into the eye, creating a cloud-free area. Widespread torrential rains often in excess of 6 inches can produce deadly and destructive floods. This is the major threat to areas well inland.
Hurricanes also produce tornadoes, which add to the hurricane's destructive power.
These tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane. However, they can also occur near the eyewall. All Atlantic and Gulf coastal areas are subject to hurricanes or tropical storms. Although rerely struck by hurricanes, parts of the Southwest United States and Pacific Coast suffer heavy rains and floods each year from the remnants of hurricanes spawned off Mexico. Islands, such as Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico are also subject to hurricanes.