In recent years, we’ve become more and more aware of the devastation that hurricanes can wreak. Since 1990, five of the most expensive hurricanes in the United States have occurred and Hurricane Katrina was the third-deadliest hurricane in the history of the United States. With weather becoming more and more unpredictable as global warming and other natural forces affect it, it’s important to know how to get ready for a hurricane and how to protect your home from hurricanes. Even if you don’t live exactly in a hurricane zone, you should be able to answer the question, “How do I prepare for a hurricane,” in case of a freak weather emergency. Things like hurricane shutters and hurricane impact windows are useful items to have on hand to protect your home — and hopefully you and your family from any major disaster and keep you safe.
Hurricane 101
The typical hurricane season in the Atlantic is between June 1 to November 30, although the autumn is the most common time for hurricanes to happen. Indeed, September is the worst hurricane month, with August coming in close second.
In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes go in a counterclockwise direction, whereas in the Southern Hemisphere, they go in a clockwise direction. Either way, they can churn millions of miles of air and dump over 2 trillion gallons of rain in just a day — both of which can cause major destruction. They’re around 2,000 times bigger than a tornado and the fastest wind speed in a hurricane is recorded at 200 mph. Hurricanes turn into a hurricane from a tropical storm when sustained winds hit 74 miles per hour, and about five hurricanes hit the coastline of the United States in the span of three years, although that number is steadily increasing. At least two of those are categorized as major hurricanes, with winds over 110 mph.
What Dangers Do Hurricanes Present?
Even a tropical storm can cause some significant damage, but a hurricane can really wreak havoc. Storm surges account for 90% of all hurricane deaths; they can be over 20 feet in height and extend for almost 100 miles. Moreover, hurricanes cause more deaths than any other kind of storm. High winds can result in flying debris that cause accidents and death during a hurricane. It can often difficult to find those who are injured or dead in the aftermath of a hurricane because roads, bridges, and other infrastructure are damaged badly enough that no one can get through. Most of the initial search and rescue operations take place from the air.
Additionally, hurricanes can create widespread property damage and people have to rebuild their lives from the ground up, literally. Their houses are often reduced to piles of rubbish and all their belongings ruined. Digging out of the destruction of a hurricane can be an incredible financial burden that many can’t even fathom taking on.
How Do I Prepare For a Hurricane in the Smartest Way Possible?
If you’re wondering, “How do I prepare for a hurricane?” here are some tips and tricks to make you feel as prepared as possible. If you know you live in a hurricane zone, you definitely want to have invested in roll down storm shutters and impact resistant windows, to protect against flying debris, which can be a leading cause of deaths. You should know if levees or dams are nearby and if they could cause a potential threat to your home. Talk with your family and have a hurricane preparedness plan ready to go, including an evacuation route, and a meeting place. Making up an emergency kit — first aid, a flashlight, clean water, food, a change of clothes, etc., — that everyone has access to is also a good step, especially if you need to leave the area quickly. You don’t want to be wondering “how do I prepare for a hurricane?” hours after the hurricane watch goes out.
It’s important to know what to do in case a hurricane strikes. Having an emergency plan in place can help keep everyone calm and safe as you either weather the storm or prepare to evacuate.