May 4 to 10 is Hurricane Preparedness Week. Take the time to know your biggest risks due to tropical systems and how to stay safe should one threaten your location. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lay out how you should prepare ahead of hurricane season. The hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 for the Atlantic basin and from May 15 to November 30 for the Eastern Pacific.
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Know your risk: Water and wind
It’s important to know what your biggest risks are when it comes to tropical weather. Tropical storms and hurricanes don’t just impact coastal areas. And while some of the most severe impacts are felt along the coast, people who reside inland also have to contend with the effects of a tropical storm. The main threats from tropical storms and hurricanes are storm surge flooding, flooding due to heavy rain, damaging wind, tornadoes, rough water and rip currents.
Storm surge is when strong winds of a tropical storm or hurricane push ocean water onto land. The surge can be high enough to wash out roads, damage and submerge buildings, and cause extreme flooding for coastal areas. Storm surge can also travel miles inland through bays, rivers and other waterways. Storm surge typically results in the most deaths from hurricanes. Similarly, flooding due to heavy rain is also dangerous and deadly. Like storm surge, flooding can also damage roads and infrastructure even well-inland from where the storm makes landfall. Flood waters can also be dangerous due to containing harmful bacteria, chemicals and wildlife, in addition to debris.
Read more: Hurricane Helene deadliest since Katrina, most deaths due to flooding
Ahead of hurricane season, find out if you live in a flood risk area. You can enter your zip code here to find out your risk. Remember: most homeowners insurance does not include flooding. So flood insurance is typically a separate policy. Additionally, you can use this interactive map to determine if you live in an area that is vulnerable to storm surge.
Hurricane-force winds can also cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Strong winds can lead to widespread power and communication outages. All these risks make it more vital to have a hurricane kit and evacuation plan.
Preparedness: Hurricane kits and evacuation plans
Having a hurricane kit with supplies you’ll need following a tropical storm or hurricane is a crucial part of staying safe during hurricane season. But you should assemble these supplies before the season starts, so you’re not rushing around in the days before a storm hits. Your hurricane kit should include:
- A minimum of three days worth of non-perishable food, water and medicine per person
- This includes one gallon of water per person, per day; more if possible
- Manual can opener and other utensils
- Cash. If power is out you will not have access to an ATM and banking systems may be down for days
- Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Flashlights
- Portable and/or solar-powered chargers for phones and other devices
- Close-toed shoes
- Food and supplies for any pets
If you live in an evacuation zone, figure out now where you will go if you must evacuate. Remember: you don’t have to travel far. The most important factor in evacuation is to get out of the flood-risk areas. Simply staying with a friend or family inland in a structure that can withstand strong winds can be all the evacuation you need. Plan out routes ahead of time, get in touch with people you can shelter with, and do not leave your pets behind! If you are unsure if you are in an evacuation zone, you can find out here. Remember that if you are called to evacuate, listen to all local officials and follow their guidance.
Understanding forecast information
During a tropical storm or hurricane, there’s a lot of information floating around. But don’t get your information from just anywhere. The number one place you should receive your forecast information from is the National Hurricane Center, followed by your local National Weather Service (NWS) office. The NHC provides the official hurricane track forecast, known as the forecast cone. And your local NWS office provides watches and warnings that are vital to your location. In addition to the NHC and NWS, trusted media partners also help communicate storm risks (but be careful of what you believe on social media).
People often misunderstand the forecast cone. The cone is simply a forecast of where the center of the tropical storm or hurricane will go. Significant impacts are often felt well outside the cone. To better communicate this, the National Hurricane Center is experimenting with overlaying watches and warnings for inland areas on the forecast cone graphic. You can see an example of this below.
While a major hurricane can cause major impacts, even a “weaker” storm can still be devastating. It is important that you focus on the impacts a storm will bring, and not necessarily on its strength. You can learn more about how to best understand valuable forecast information here.
Protecting your home and when to evacuate
In addition to having a hurricane kit and knowing if you’re in an evacuation zone, an important part of being prepared for hurricane season is how to protect your home. This includes:
- Boarding up windows or installing hurricane shutters on windows and doors
- Securing or bringing inside loose outdoor items
- If you’re not using your car to evacuate, move it to a safe location
- Unplug appliances and electrical equipment and devices if you’re evacuating
- Shut off gas, water and electricity if you’re evacuating
- Keep large trees around your home trimmed
If you are called to evacuate, do so immediately, and check if your neighbors need help evacuating.
Staying safe during a storm
Whether sheltering in place, or if you evacuated, it is still important to stay up to date with the forecast and local agencies. Stay inside until the threat has passed, and never drive on a road that is flooded. While flooding is a major concern during hurricanes and tropical storms, strong winds are also dangerous. The best protection from wind is to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible, and stay away from windows.
Use caution after storms
Nearly half of hurricane deaths occur after the storm is gone. As you work to clean up from the storm, use extreme caution. Avoid all downed power lines, especially near standing water. Standing water is also a danger: as mentioned above, debris, bacteria and wildlife can be hidden dangers in flood waters after a storm. Also use caution when checking for damage around your home. If you hear an unusual noise or notice shifting of your home, or if you smell gas, immediately leave the area and call 911.
If you are without power and have a portable generator, NEVER bring the generator inside your home or garage, as carbon monoxide poisoning is a significant threat. Always use your portable generator outside, and at least 20 feet away from your home.
Finally, if you evacuated, only return home when you are told it is safe to do so.
Hurricane preparedness
This is a lot of information, but if you take it all in now, you will be able to evacuate calmly and quickly, or be prepared for whatever a hurricane may bring. While this is a thorough list, you can find even more information as well as more safety tips here.
Bottom line: Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 4 to 10, 2025. Get tips on how to stay safe during hurricane season here.
The post Hurricane Preparedness Week: Tips to stay safe this season first appeared on EarthSky.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2ERVmU3
May 4 to 10 is Hurricane Preparedness Week. Take the time to know your biggest risks due to tropical systems and how to stay safe should one threaten your location. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lay out how you should prepare ahead of hurricane season. The hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 for the Atlantic basin and from May 15 to November 30 for the Eastern Pacific.
Science matters. Wonder matters. You matter. Join our 2025 Donation Campaign today.
Know your risk: Water and wind
It’s important to know what your biggest risks are when it comes to tropical weather. Tropical storms and hurricanes don’t just impact coastal areas. And while some of the most severe impacts are felt along the coast, people who reside inland also have to contend with the effects of a tropical storm. The main threats from tropical storms and hurricanes are storm surge flooding, flooding due to heavy rain, damaging wind, tornadoes, rough water and rip currents.
Storm surge is when strong winds of a tropical storm or hurricane push ocean water onto land. The surge can be high enough to wash out roads, damage and submerge buildings, and cause extreme flooding for coastal areas. Storm surge can also travel miles inland through bays, rivers and other waterways. Storm surge typically results in the most deaths from hurricanes. Similarly, flooding due to heavy rain is also dangerous and deadly. Like storm surge, flooding can also damage roads and infrastructure even well-inland from where the storm makes landfall. Flood waters can also be dangerous due to containing harmful bacteria, chemicals and wildlife, in addition to debris.
Read more: Hurricane Helene deadliest since Katrina, most deaths due to flooding
Ahead of hurricane season, find out if you live in a flood risk area. You can enter your zip code here to find out your risk. Remember: most homeowners insurance does not include flooding. So flood insurance is typically a separate policy. Additionally, you can use this interactive map to determine if you live in an area that is vulnerable to storm surge.
Hurricane-force winds can also cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Strong winds can lead to widespread power and communication outages. All these risks make it more vital to have a hurricane kit and evacuation plan.
Preparedness: Hurricane kits and evacuation plans
Having a hurricane kit with supplies you’ll need following a tropical storm or hurricane is a crucial part of staying safe during hurricane season. But you should assemble these supplies before the season starts, so you’re not rushing around in the days before a storm hits. Your hurricane kit should include:
- A minimum of three days worth of non-perishable food, water and medicine per person
- This includes one gallon of water per person, per day; more if possible
- Manual can opener and other utensils
- Cash. If power is out you will not have access to an ATM and banking systems may be down for days
- Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Flashlights
- Portable and/or solar-powered chargers for phones and other devices
- Close-toed shoes
- Food and supplies for any pets
If you live in an evacuation zone, figure out now where you will go if you must evacuate. Remember: you don’t have to travel far. The most important factor in evacuation is to get out of the flood-risk areas. Simply staying with a friend or family inland in a structure that can withstand strong winds can be all the evacuation you need. Plan out routes ahead of time, get in touch with people you can shelter with, and do not leave your pets behind! If you are unsure if you are in an evacuation zone, you can find out here. Remember that if you are called to evacuate, listen to all local officials and follow their guidance.
Understanding forecast information
During a tropical storm or hurricane, there’s a lot of information floating around. But don’t get your information from just anywhere. The number one place you should receive your forecast information from is the National Hurricane Center, followed by your local National Weather Service (NWS) office. The NHC provides the official hurricane track forecast, known as the forecast cone. And your local NWS office provides watches and warnings that are vital to your location. In addition to the NHC and NWS, trusted media partners also help communicate storm risks (but be careful of what you believe on social media).
People often misunderstand the forecast cone. The cone is simply a forecast of where the center of the tropical storm or hurricane will go. Significant impacts are often felt well outside the cone. To better communicate this, the National Hurricane Center is experimenting with overlaying watches and warnings for inland areas on the forecast cone graphic. You can see an example of this below.
While a major hurricane can cause major impacts, even a “weaker” storm can still be devastating. It is important that you focus on the impacts a storm will bring, and not necessarily on its strength. You can learn more about how to best understand valuable forecast information here.
Protecting your home and when to evacuate
In addition to having a hurricane kit and knowing if you’re in an evacuation zone, an important part of being prepared for hurricane season is how to protect your home. This includes:
- Boarding up windows or installing hurricane shutters on windows and doors
- Securing or bringing inside loose outdoor items
- If you’re not using your car to evacuate, move it to a safe location
- Unplug appliances and electrical equipment and devices if you’re evacuating
- Shut off gas, water and electricity if you’re evacuating
- Keep large trees around your home trimmed
If you are called to evacuate, do so immediately, and check if your neighbors need help evacuating.
Staying safe during a storm
Whether sheltering in place, or if you evacuated, it is still important to stay up to date with the forecast and local agencies. Stay inside until the threat has passed, and never drive on a road that is flooded. While flooding is a major concern during hurricanes and tropical storms, strong winds are also dangerous. The best protection from wind is to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible, and stay away from windows.
Use caution after storms
Nearly half of hurricane deaths occur after the storm is gone. As you work to clean up from the storm, use extreme caution. Avoid all downed power lines, especially near standing water. Standing water is also a danger: as mentioned above, debris, bacteria and wildlife can be hidden dangers in flood waters after a storm. Also use caution when checking for damage around your home. If you hear an unusual noise or notice shifting of your home, or if you smell gas, immediately leave the area and call 911.
If you are without power and have a portable generator, NEVER bring the generator inside your home or garage, as carbon monoxide poisoning is a significant threat. Always use your portable generator outside, and at least 20 feet away from your home.
Finally, if you evacuated, only return home when you are told it is safe to do so.
Hurricane preparedness
This is a lot of information, but if you take it all in now, you will be able to evacuate calmly and quickly, or be prepared for whatever a hurricane may bring. While this is a thorough list, you can find even more information as well as more safety tips here.
Bottom line: Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 4 to 10, 2025. Get tips on how to stay safe during hurricane season here.
The post Hurricane Preparedness Week: Tips to stay safe this season first appeared on EarthSky.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2ERVmU3
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