Hurricanes

A hurricane is a tropical weather system with sustained winds of more than 74 miles per hour. Hurricanes are classified into five categories according to wind speed. Category 1 is the weakest, with winds from 74-95 miles per hour. Category 5 is the strongest, with winds faster than 155 miles per hour. The Atlantic Hurricane season is from June 1 through November 30. 

Hurricanes can have direct and indirect impacts on your health. Take steps to protect yourself before, during, and after a hurricane. 

Before hurricane season starts

• Make a plan for what you might do if a hurricane occurs. You can use the My Emergency Plan Workbook to help.
• Learn evacuation routes.
• Build an emergency kit with supplies for at least 3 days.
• Recognize warnings and alerts (a hurricane watch means be prepared and a hurricane warning means you should take action!).
• Sign up for CodeRED to receive emergency alerts from local officials.
• Keep copies of important legal, medical, and financial records in a waterproof container.
• Practice your family emergency plan.
• If you have pets, know which local shelters and hotels welcome animals.
• Think about whether enrolling in RISNER is right for you.
• Think about whether flood insurance is right for you. Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. It can take up to 30 days for a flood insurance policy to go into effect. Learn more through the National Flood Insurance Program. 

Before a hurricane (or when a hurricane warning is issued)

• Trim dead or weak branches from trees. De-clutter drains and gutters. Bring in outside furniture.
• Protect your windows with storm shutters or pre-cut plywood.
• Follow the National Weather Service for weather updates in your area https://www.weather.gov/
• Charge cell phones and other electronic devices.
• Make sure your car emergency kit and go-kit are ready.
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings, unless instructed by officials to turn off utilities. Food establishments should follow power outage guidance for food establishments.
• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
• Evacuate safely, if instructed by officials to do so. 

During a hurricane

• Take shelter in an interior room, away from glass doors and windows.
• Follow guidance from local officials and first responders. If you are told to evacuate, evacuate immediately.
• Follow local weather updates.
• Avoid contact with flood water. Floodwater may contain harmful substances that can cause disease or injury, like sewage or debris.
• Do not walk or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving floodwater can knock a person off their feed. Twelve inches of moving floodwater can carry away a small car. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

After a hurricane

• Return home only after officials say it is safe to do so.
• Beware of downed or loose power lines. Report them immediately to the power company, police department, or fire department.
• If you left your home during the storm, be careful when you enter your home after the storm.
  • Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, quickly leave the building and leave the doors open. Call the gas company. Do not use candles or open flames until you verify that it is safe.
  • Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or frayed wires, turn off electricity at the main fuse box.
  • If there is standing water, turn off the power from a dry location. If you can’t turn off power from a dry location, call an electrician to turn off the power.
  • Have an electrician check the electrical system before turning the power on again.
  • If you suspect there is sewer or water line damage, call the water supplier.
  • If a Boil Water Advisory has been issued for your water system, do not drink or prepare food with tap water until notified it is safe to do so.
• Clean and dry out your home if there has been flooding. Learn more about what to do after a flood.  
• Take pictures of the damage for insurance claims and contact your insurance agent.

Words to know:

Evacuation: Hurricanes and other emergencies, like wildfires or floods, can make certain areas unsafe. When this happens, local officials may tell people to evacuate, or to leave their homes, and to move to a shelter in a safe area until the danger has passed. 

Hurricane Warning: A hurricane is coming or already happening. You should take action.

Hurricane Watch: A hurricane is possible. You should be prepared. 

Storm Surge: Storm surge is the rise in seawater levels caused by a storm.

Shelter-in-Place: During an emergency, local officials may tell people to shelter-in-place. This means that it is safest to stay where you are—in your home, at your job, or other location—until the danger has passed.