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Hurricane Preparedness: Understanding Hurricane Hazards

May 17, 2021
By WeatherBug's Christopher Smith
When you think of a hurricane, high winds might immediately come to your mind. However, hurricanes pack an array of hazards. Let’s take a look:
  • Strong winds are a legitimate threat a hurricane can pose. Hurricane-force winds are defined as having speeds of 74 mph or higher, which certainly is enough to topple trees and damage buildings and homes. Even tropical storms, which pack winds less than 74 mph, can still be dangerous and send debris flying.
  • Storm Surge is possibly the most dangerous hurricane threat. The long fetch of strong winds hurricanes possess help push water to the coast and the water can reach levels much higher than normal. In intense hurricanes, storm surge can reach as high as 20 feet and push far inland, flooding much of everything in its path.
  • Heavy rainfall is another threat that most hurricanes and tropical storms bring. As in recent years such as 2017’s Hurricane Harvey, a storm’s legacy can live on long after a storm makes landfall. Flooding is common from hurricanes, even days after the storm ends as rivers take time to respond to increased runoff.
  • Tornadoes are common as outer bands of tropical systems rotate inland. While the tornadoes are often short-lived, further damage from intense bursts of winds can result.
  • Rip currents and large surf make the water very dangerous even well in advance of a tropical system. Always heed any warnings before entering the water.
These are some of the main threats hurricanes and tropical storms can pose. Make sure to have a preparedness plan in place as the start of hurricane season is June 1.

Source: nhc.noaa.gov
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Story Image: Storm surge is one of the main threats hurricanes can bring (U.S. Navy Photo/NOAA Photo Library).