A hurricane is a violent tropical cyclone, with winds of 74 or more miles per hour, which spiral counterclockwise around a relatively calm center known as the 'eye' of the storm. At full strength hurricane winds can gust to more than 200 miles per hour as far out as 20 to 30 miles from the eye. Winds of 39 mph and greater can extend 200 miles or more in advance of the hurricane and trail hundreds of miles behind. The greatest threat from hurricane wind is flying debris. Winds may also disrupt electrical power, telephone service, gas, fresh water supplies, and transportation.
Tornadoes are also possible as a spin-off of the hurricane's winds.
Another danger of a hurricane is from the storm surge. As the storm approaches and moves across a coastline, storm surge may rise 10 feet or more above normal high tide and usually is accompanied by battering waves which will overcome coastal lowlands. In addition, extensive rainfall associated with the storm, may cause widespread flooding further inland. More than 23 inches of rainfall in 24 hours have been recorded in association with a hurricane. Once a disturbance becomes a depression, the National Hurricane Center will begin issuing advisories.