| Close cooperation between
federal, state, and local governments has made the eighteen coastal states much better
prepared in dealing with the annual hurricane threat. Although the loss of life tends to
be less than that of tornadoes on an annual basis, this was not the case in 1900 when over
6,000 people drowned in Galveston, Texas. From a property loss perspective, hurricanes are
the costliest natural disasters facing the United States. The $4.7 billion lost in
Hurricane Hugo in 1989 escalated to over $25.0 billion lost with Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
These figures will continue to increase as more residents move into areas along the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The two most common elements in any hurricane are wind and water. Statistically, almost 90% of the deaths from hurricanes are caused by drowning. The "Hurricane Season" for the Atlantic and Gulf coast states begins on June 1st and continues until November 30th. The peak of the season lasts for approximately seven (7) weeks, from mid-August through early October. It is during this time of year that storms develop off the west African coast and develop into major hurricanes, similar to Hurricanes Gilbert in 1988, Hugo in 1989, and Andrew in 1992. Hurricane Emily in 1993 was also a major hurricane, but maximum winds remained well off-shore of the Carolina outer banks. Hurricane Opal struck Coffee County in 1995 with sustained winds in excess of 100 mph causing substantial damage. The key to survival in hurricanes is to know your risk. If you are vacationing on a low-lying barrier island, staying in a recreation vehicle or mobile home, or camping along a stream or river in the highlands, You Are At Risk! Barrier island residents are vulnerable to wind and especially storm surge. Mobile home dwellers are very vulnerable to wind force, even in minor storms. Vacationers in the highlands are vulnerable to flash flooding from copious amounts of rain. Emergency managers from Maine to Texas base their evacuation actions on a storm surge model that was developed jointly by the National Weather Service and the Army Corps of Engineers. This model has been tested and proved quite accurate in recent storms. Evacuating mobile homes and other vulnerable population is more subjective, but absolutely essential in reducing the loss of life. What is the difference between a hurricane WATCH and WARNING? The National Weather Service (NWS) broadcasts severe weather conditions using the Emergency Alerting System (EAS, formerly known as EBS) and over NOAA Weather Radio. Tune the radio to the appropriate frequency for your particular area. When a hurricane WATCH is posted, NWS wants the public to know there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. When a hurricane WARNING is issued, it means that hurricane conditions are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. Hurricane conditions include winds of 74 miles an hour (64 knots) and/or dangerously high tides and waves. Actions for protection of life and property should begin immediately when the warning is issued. |
If you are planning on
visiting hurricane vulnerable areas, especially during late August and September,
please consider the following: Develop a plan. Know where the evacuation routes are located. Look for alternative escape routes. Take your family disaster kit with you. Most of the items in the kit will come in handy. Listen to local radio and television stations for latest storm information,. Find out which station has been designated the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) station. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio and tune it to the appropriate frequency for your particular area. The Weather Channel broadcasts specific tropical weather information at 20 and 50 minutes past the hour. Never let your vehicle's fuel tank go lower than half-full. When the warnings go up, fuel tends to be in short supply. Make sure that your vehicle is in good mechanical condition. Put a couple of cans of "fix-a-flat" in your trunk. Flat tires from debris are frequent occurrences after the storm has passed. Maintain a supply of coins and other small currency bills. Once the electricity goes out, credit cards and ATM cards are worthless. Personal checks may not be accepted at many stores or institutions. Once the evacuation order has been issued, decide what you will do. The options are: Remain at home if your residence is away from the immediate shoreline and is above the forecast flood elevation and the residence is well constructed. Mobile home residents don't have this option. Go to a hotel/motel or friends/relatives outside the vulnerable zone. As a final option, go to an American Red Cross managed shelter. Don't second-guess local officials. If they recommend or order you to evacuate, please do so. The health and safety of not only permanent residents, but their guests, are of a major concern and evacuation enhances a safe return. Don't panic and don't spread rumors. Hurricanes, according to the Saffir/Simpson Scale, have been categorized by and speed, barometric pressure and damage potential: Category Damage Wind Speed 1 Minimal 74-95-MPH 2 Moderate 96-110 MPH 3 Extensive 111-130 MPH 4 Extreme 131-155 MPH 5 Catastrophic More than 155 MPH |
