Hurricanes
When is Hurricane Season?
In the Northern Atlantic Ocean, a distinct hurricane season occurs from June 1 to November 30, sharply peaking from late August through September. The statistical peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is September 10.
What Is A Hurricane?
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone, which generally forms in the tropics and is accompanied by thunderstorms and a counterclockwise circulation of winds. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:
Tropical Depression
A tropical depression is an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph. It has no eye and does not typically have the organization or the spiral shape of more powerful storms. However, it is already a low-pressure system, hence the name “depression.”
Tropical Storm
A tropical storm is an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds between 39–73 mph. At this point, the distinctive cyclonic shape starts to develop, although an eye is not usually present.
Hurricane
A hurricane is a system with sustained winds of at least 74 mph. A cyclone of this intensity tends to develop an eye, an area of relative calm and lowest atmospheric pressure at the center of circulation. The eye is often visible in satellite images as a small, circular, cloud-free spot. Surrounding the eye is the eyewall, an area about 10–50 mi wide in which the strongest thunderstorms and winds circulate around the storm’s center. Maximum sustained winds in the strongest tropical cyclones have been estimated at about 190 mph.
How Will I Know When A Hurricane or Tropical Storm Poses A Threat To South Florida?
Emergency Management personnel closely monitor tropical weather and are in frequent contact with the National Hurricane Center. The media provide frequent updates on the storm, as well as emergency protective actions recommended by the Emergency Operations Center. As a hurricane or tropical storm moves closer to South Florida, Emergency Operations Centers will be activated.
The National Weather Service also broadcasts continually over NOAA weather radios. Battery back-up, alarm activated NOAA weather radios are inexpensive and can be purchased locally. NOAA weather broadcasts are invaluable sources of “real-time” information during severe weather conditions.
What Should I Do When A Watch or Warning Is Issued?
When a HURRICANE WATCH is issued for your part of the coast, this indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This watch should trigger your family’s disaster plan, and proactive measures should be initiated.
When a HURRICANE WARNING is issued for your part of the coast, this indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours. Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing proactive actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.
Family Disaster Plan
- Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
- Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but elsewhere within your community.
- Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
- Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact so all your family members have a single point of contact.
- Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
- Check your insurance coverage – flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners’ insurance.
- Stock nonperishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.
- Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
- Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
Shopping Guide
As hurricane season approaches, all residents are encouraged to get prepared by creating a family hurricane plan and assembling a hurricane supply kit. These preparedness steps are key to safely weathering a storm, or any other disaster. The eight-week Shopping Guide identifies the basic items required to comfortably sustain you and your family for 3-5 days following a storm that may leave you without power and potable water. Adding a few items to your regular shopping list each week is the easiest way to complete your Hurricane Kit with minimal impact to your budget.
Food Groups For Shopping Guide
- Bread Group Items – Crackers, dry bread sticks, pretzels, melba toast, rice and popcorn cakes, breakfast cereal, dry pasta, nutritional bars, bread (keep frozen until needed)
- Meat Group Items – Canned or packaged tuna, chicken/turkey, meat, soup with beans or meat, sardines, beans, chili with meat or beans, ravioli/spaghetti, ham/pork, stew, Vienna sausage, peanut butter and nuts, and commercially prepared beef or turkey jerky
- Milk Group Items – Shelf stable milk (keep chilled after opening), powdered milk (will need extra water), canned and boxed pudding (on grocery shelves, not in refrigerator section), nutritional drinks (e.g., Ensure)
- Vegetable Group Items – Canned vegetables, soups of all types (cup of noodles, canned), canned 3-bean salad Fruit Group Items Canned fruit, applesauce, dried fruits (raisins, dates, apricots, etc.) and 100% fruit juice (not fruit drinks or punch)
- Comfort Foods – Quick energy snacks such as trail mix, granola and fruit bars, cookies, hard candy, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
Items for Infants & Toddlers
Make sure to include ample amounts of food, formula (water), juice, diapers and wipes. It you plan to evacuate to a Red Cross Hurricane Shelter, bring your baby kit along with a stroller, portable crib or play pen.
Items for Elderly
Your kit should include water and food items that address special dietary needs such as nutritional supplement drinks and low-sodium food. Be sure to include enough medical supplies and prescription drugs to last two weeks.
Note: Before purchasing instant food be sure you have enough water for reconstitution and a cooking source. Camp stoves and a chafing dish/fondue pot with sterno can be used. You can also purchase ready-to-light charcoal for your outdoor grill. Never use any of these cooking sources inside your house or garage. Always cook outside.
Week One
Grocery Store: one gallon of water per person, one large jar of peanut butter, one meat group item, one can ready-to-eat soup, one box matches in waterproof container, one vegetable group item, one package paper plates
Other Supplies: one flashlight with batteries, tarpaulin for temporary roof repairs, utility knife,
Week Two
Grocery Store: one vegetable group item, one fruit group item, one comfort food item, one bottle unscented bleach, one medicine dropper, one package of paper cups, one meat group item
Other Supplies: self-starting charcoal, Sterno or propane for grill, or camp stove, pliers, plastic safety glasses/goggles
Week Three
Grocery Store: one gallon of water per person, one jar of jelly or jam, one meat group item, one can ready-to-eat soup, one fruit group item, one hand-operated can opener, one package paper napkins
Other Supplies: one portable am/fm radio – battery-operated or hand crank, hatchet or axe, roll of duct tape
Week Four
Grocery Store: one bread group item, one roll of paper towels, one vegetable group item, one roll of plastic wrap, one meat group item, one milk group item, one bottle hand sanitizer
Other Supplies: one flashlight with batteries, heavy-duty work gloves, first aid kit supplies
Week Five
Grocery Store: one meat group item, one can of ready-to-eat soup, one fruit group item, one box large resealable food storage bags, one vegetable group item, one bread group item
Other Supplies: extra batteries for radio, first aid kit supplies, fire extinguisher
Week Six
Grocery Store: one gallon of water per person, one bread group item, one box sanitary wipes, one roll heavy-duty aluminum foil, one package paper bowls, one meat group item
Other Supplies: assorted nails, one flashlight with batteries, landline telephone with jack (not cordless)
Week Seven
Grocery Store: one meat group item, one can ready-to-eat soup, one box cereal, one milk group item, one comfort group item, one vegetable group item
Other Supplies: extra batteries for flashlights, hammer, first aid kit supplies
Week Eight
Grocery Store: one gallon of water per person, one vegetable group item, one meat group item, one box heavy-duty garbage bags, one package plastic eating utensils, one roll paper towels
Other Supplies: flashlight with batteries, waterproof portable plastic container with lid for hurricane kit and important papers
Hurricane Preparation for People with Special Needs
Prescription Medications:
- Have at least a two week supply of all medications.
Diabetic Patients:
- Have at least a two week supply of all medications.
- Have at least a two week supply of insulin, insulin syringes, and lancets to poke your finger.
- Glucose tablets or paste in case your blood sugar goes low.
- Insulin or Byetta will be okay left unrefrigerated.
Dialysis Patients:
- Contact your dialysis center or the clinic to find out if your dialysis schedule has changed.
- Make sure to keep the fluids you are drinking to the recommended amount.
- Follow your recommended diet carefully. Avoid foods high in potassium such as oranges, potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, etc.
Pregnant Patients:
- Contact your doctor’s office for instructions.
- If you are unable to contact your doctor’s office and are 36 weeks pregnant or more or a high risk pregnancy go to the hospital when the hurricane warning is issued.
Asthma Patients:
- Make sure to have 2 week supply of medications including inhalers.
- Check your nebulizer to make sure it is working properly.
- If you have a battery operated nebulizer remember to charge it before the storm.
- If you are using your nebulizer regularly please call the clinic to discuss your needs.
Hurricane Shutter Safety
Hurricane shutters are used to protect doors and windows from wind-borne objects and to prevent damage caused by sudden pressure changes when windows or doors fail. Shutters can be made of metal, wood or plastic and are available in different styles; the most common are steel or metal panels, accordion style and roll-down. Tribal building codes now require hurricane shutters for all new home construction.
If you’re using plywood to cover windows and doors, select at least 5/8” stock. Pre-drill holes into the plywood sheets and into your masonry and use screws and anchors to secure the plywood; masonry nails are not recommended as they can fail in strong winds.
If you have metal shutters, handle them only with heavy work gloves. The panels are heavy and the edges can be sharp. When you use a ladder, make sure you work with a buddy who holds and stabilizes the ladder. Emergency rooms in South Florida report a number of injuries every hurricane season due to falls from ladders.
When a storm has passed and it’s safe to venture outside, remove the shutters or plywood from at least one window or door in every room. A fully shuttered house may be safe in a hurricane, but presents multiple hazards after the storm or threat has passed.
Kids Activity Survival Kit
You may have to leave your house during a disaster and may sleep somewhere else for a while. It’s smart to put together your own Kid’s Activity Survival Kit so you will have things to do and share with other kids. These can all be stored in a backpack or duffel bag. Just make sure you can carry it easily. Some suggested items for your Activity Survival Kit:
- A few of your favorite books
- Crayons, pencils or marking pens and plenty of paper
- Scissors and glue
- Two favorite toys such as a doll or action figure
- One or two board games
- A deck of cards
- A puzzle (One with lots of pieces is good - it takes a long time to do!)
- Teddy Bear
- Small people figures and play vehicles that you can use to play out what is happening during your disaster -- such as ambulance, fire truck, helicopter, dump truck, police car, small boats.
- Favorite stuffed animal or puppet
- Favorite blanket or pillow
- Pictures of the family and pet
- A “keep safe” box with a few treasures that make you feel special.