General Info

A hurricane is a tropical cyclone in which winds reach a constant speed of at least 74 miles per hour (mph) and may gust to 200 mph. Spiral clouds may cover an area several hundred miles in diameter. The spirals are heavy cloud bands from which torrential rains fall and tornados may be generated. The eye of the hurricane is deceptively calm and almost free of clouds with light winds and warm temperatures. Beyond the eye, counter clockwise winds bring destruction and death to coastlines and islands in their erratic path. It is important to remember that the position of the storm given by The National Hurricane Center is the eye of the storm. High winds and heavy rain may extend up to 200 miles from the eye. Hazardous conditions may arrive six to ten hours before the eye makes landfall.

The portion of the year having a relatively high incidence of hurricanes. The hurricane season in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico runs from June 1 to November 30.

A National Weather Service message giving storm location, intensity, movement, and precautions to be taken.

The roughly circular area of comparatively light winds and fair weather at the center of a hurricane. Eyes are usually 25-30 miles in diameter. The area around the eye is called the wallcloud. (Do not go outdoors while the eye is passing; the full intensity of the storm will reoccur in minutes.)

Issued by The National Hurricane Center when a hurricane threatens, the watch covers a specified area and time period. A hurricane watch indicates hurricane conditions are possible, usually within 48 hours, but it does not mean that will happen. When a watch is issued, listen for advisories and be prepared to take action if advised to do so.

The point and time during which the eye of the hurricane passes over the shoreline. After passage of the calm eye, hurricane winds begin again with the same intensity as before, but from the opposite direction.

A public release prepared by local National Weather Service offices in or near a threatened area giving specific details for its county warning area on (1) weather conditions, (2) evacuation decisions made by local officials, and (3) other precautions necessary to protect life and property.

A dome of seawater, often 50 miles across, that sweeps the coast line inundating the land with up to 15 feet of water above normal high tide. The ocean level rises as a hurricane approaches, peaking where the eye strikes land, and gradually subsiding after the hurricane passes. Storm surge, also known as tidal flooding, has been responsible for nine out of ten hurricane deaths.

An area of low pressure with a definite eye and counter clockwise winds of 39-73 mph. A tropical storm may strengthen to hurricane force in a short period of time.

Issued by The National Hurricane Center when winds of 55-73 mph (48-63 knots) are expected. If a hurricane is expected to strike a coastal area, separate tropical storm warnings will not usually precede hurricane warnings.

The Saffir/Simpson Scale is used by The National Hurricane Center to provide a continuing assessment of the potential for wind and storm-surge damage. 

The following is a description of the damage potential by hurricane category:

CATEGORY 1:

Winds of 74 to 95 miles per hour. Damage occurs primarily to shrubbery, trees, and unanchored mobile homes and to poorly-constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads are inundated, minor pier damage occurs, and some small craft in exposed anchorage are torn from moorings.

CATEGORY 2:

Winds of 96 to 110 miles per hour. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly-constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials, windows, and constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials, windows, and doors but not major damage to buildings. Coastal roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water two to four hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings.

CATEGORY 3:

Winds of 111 to 130 miles per hour. Extensive damage to large trees. Poorly-constructed signs are blown down. Damage to roofing materials, windows, and doors. Mobile homes are destroyed. Serious flooding along coast with many smaller coastal structures destroyed and large structures damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes further inland inundated by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives.

CATEGORY 4:

Winds of 131 to 155 miles per hour. Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows, and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore line’s due to flooding, battering waves, and floating debris. Low-lying inland escape routes but by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches.

CATEGORY 5:

Winds greater than 155 miles per hour. Shrubs and trees blown down, considerable damage to roofs of buildings, all signs down. Severe and extensive damage to windows and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many residential and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives.