TIME TO MAKE FINAL PREPARATIONS

Wishing a Hurricane Away Won't Help, but staying calm and staying informed on the storm's position and strength will help you make decisions in the best interest of you and your family.

A HURRICANE WATCH COMES FIRST

The National Weather Service Issues a Hurricane Watch when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.

Now IS The Time To:

A HURRICANE WARNING COMES NEXT

The National Weather Service Issues a Hurricane Warning when hurricane conditions are expected in 24 hours or less.

Now IS The Time To:

ONCE A STORM HAS FORMED AND IS BEING TRACKED

KNOW THE HAZARDS

A Hurricane is a Tropical Cyclone with sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or more. Hurricane winds blow in a large spiral around a relatively calm center known as the "eye." Hurricanes bring torrential rains, high winds, and as they near land, storm surges.

Most Hurricane-Related Deaths are caused by floods.

Storm Surge is the most dangerous element of a hurricane. This is a dome of ocean water that can be 20 feet high at its peak and 50 to 100 miles wide. Nine out of 10 hurricane fatalities are attributable to the storm surge.

HURRICANE CATEGORIES

Category 1—Winds: 74-95 mph & Storm Surge: 4-5 feet

Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, and unanchored mobile homes. No real damage to other structures. Some damage to poorly-constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings.

Category 2—Winds: 96-110 mph & Storm Surge: 6-8 feet

Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly constructed signs; some damage to roofing materials of buildings; and some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings. Coastal roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water two to four hours before arrival of the hurricane's center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded and small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings.

Category 3—Winds: 111-130 mph & Storm Surge: 9-12 feet

Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly-constructed signs blown down; some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage; and some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water three to five hours before the hurricane's center arrives.

Category 4—Winds: 131-155 mph & Storm Surge: 13-18 feet

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 due to flooding and battering waves and floating debris.

Category 5—Winds: 155+ mph & Storm Surge: 18 + feet

Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to roofs of buildings; all signs down; very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors; complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings; extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors; some complete buiding failures; small buildings overturned or blown away and complete destruction of mobile homes. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water three to five hours before the hurricane's center arrives.