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Hurricane Survival Tips: How to Stay Safe During Ocean Storms

Hurricane Survival Tips

Steve LaNore, Certified Broadcast Meteorologist |

Understanding and preparing for hurricane threats year-round will help you make the best storm decisions to protect yourself, your pets, and your property come hurricane season. Read on to learn more about hurricanes and what you can do to increase your safety when they occur.

Hurricane Facts and Threats

Hurricane Season:

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The most active portion of hurricane season takes place in August and September. Memorable examples are catastrophic hurricanes Katrina (2005) and Harvey (2017), which came ashore in August, and Hurricane Irma (2017), which hit Florida in September.

Hurricane Strength: The Saffir-Simpson Scale

Hurricanes are rated by wind speed on a 1 to 5 scale called the Saffir-Simpson Scale:

  • Category 1 - Maximum sustained winds of 74 to 95 mph
  • Category 2 - Maximum sustained winds of 96 to 110 mph
  • Category 3 - Maximum sustained winds of 111 to 130 mph
  • Category 4 - Maximum sustained winds of 131 to 155 mph
  • Category 5 - Maximum sustained winds over 155 mph

Hurricanes that reach Category (Cat) 3 or higher are classified as “major” hurricanes. These storms cause heavy damage, while Cat 1 and Cat 2 storms usually produce much less damage.

Hurricane Storm Surge

A storm surge happens when high winds and low pressure within the hurricane cause water levels to rise along the coast. The surge increases gradually but reaches its maximum depth as the storm center crosses the coastline. A Cat 1 hurricane with 90 mph winds might produce a storm surge of 7 feet, while a Cat 4 with 140 mph winds might produce a 20-foot surge. Storm surges can cause catastrophic loss of life, as seen in the infamous Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

Hurricanes Can Cause Inland Flooding

A hurricane can cause life-threatening flash floods 5 miles from shore or 500 miles inland. Slow-moving hurricanes, like Hurricane Harvey, unleash an incredible amount of rain. These tropical downpours often fall at several inches per hour, meaning floods can develop quickly, trapping people in their homes and cutting off escape routes.

How to Prepare for a Hurricane

Preparing for a hurricane requires preplanning, accurate information on the storm, knowledge of evacuation routes, and sufficient supplies to get you through the disaster.

Understanding Hurricane Watches vs. Warnings

A hurricane watch is issued by the National Weather Service when hurricane conditions are possible at a certain location within 48 hours.

A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected at the location within 36 hours. A hurricane warning represents a higher level of danger than a hurricane watch and requires immediate response to protect lives and property. Evacuation recommendations typically begin once a hurricane warning is issued. These recommendations come from local expert meteorologists who have been tracking the storm from its development, so it is usually wise to take action when they recommend it.

Hurricane Survival Kit

It’s essential to have some basic disaster supplies on hand before the storm rolls in. A hurricane usually moves through in one day — but the aftereffects, especially power failures, may last many days after a major storm. Whether you stay at home or evacuate, you will still need:

  • A first aid kit
  • A full tank of gas
  • Canned or freeze-dried food — enough to last several days
  • Bottled water
  • Flashlights/batteries
  • Phone charger for the car
  • Food for pets
  • Prescription medicine

Protecting Your Home From a Hurricane

Hurricanes bring a triple threat of storm surge, wind, and flash flooding. Here are some things you can do to reduce potential damage from flash floods and high winds:

  • Board up the windows or use hurricane shutters.
  • Remove dead branches from trees and cut away any limbs that may hit the house during high winds.
  • Place lawn furniture and any other movable outdoor items into the garage; this will keep them from turning into flying debris.
  • Seal exterior openings, such as around faucets, pipes or roof vents; it will help keep wind-driven rain from getting in.
  • Provide a safe place for pets during the storm.
  • If you have a basement, make sure sump pumps have a working backup battery in case of power failure.
  • Place sandbags on the outside bottom of entry doors to help keep out floodwaters.
  • Unplug electronics from outlets to protect against shocks in standing water.

Evacuating During a Hurricane

Residents of coastal regions should learn their evacuation routes in advance; most are clearly marked. Hurricane-prone states, like Florida and Texas, have evacuation information online if you’re unsure of what route to take. Television stations and government social media feeds (Twitter, Facebook) will relay guidelines for evacuation routes when a hurricane is threatening your area.

Who Should Evacuate

  • Residents that live along the coast within the storm surge zone
  • People who live in flood-prone areas outside of the storm surge zone
  • Residents of mobile homes within the hurricane wind zone
  • People who are within the projected hurricane-force wind zone for a Cat 3 or greater hurricane

If you choose to shelter from the storm at home, take precautions and be prepared for several days without fresh food or water. Fill all of the bathtubs with water: you can bale it into buckets for flushing toilets and hand-washing.

Hurricane Evacuation Route Sign

If You Evacuate

Evacuate early — traffic will build quickly. It may also be difficult to exit and reenter the highway if you stop for food or gas. Have supplies loaded when you leave home.

Ideally, head inland and stay with family or friends outside of the storm’s path. Be sure to take important items like paperwork and credit cards with you. A hotel room might be hard to find, but if you’re willing to drive several hours, you may be able to get one. Another alternative, closer to home, is a public hurricane shelter, like ones run by the American Red Cross. Some public shelters may not have bedding, so try to bring sleeping bags and pillows if possible.

Hurricane Safety

The key to surviving a hurricane demands planning in advance. Check with the National Hurricane Center website, turn on your local TV station, and contact the local emergency management office before the storm so you are not caught off guard.

Using a home weather station like the AcuRite Atlas® Weather Station with HD Display and Lightning Detection offers another layer of preparation for hurricanes, as they track falling pressure, wind gusts, and rainfall rates in real time. The weather station’s information can give you a heads-up when heavy precipitation may cause flooding or help you determine how much damage the high winds may cause.

Be better prepared for hurricanes with AcuRite weather technology!

Steve LaNore is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist with more than 30 years of forecasting and technical experience. He has provided meteorological consulting for everything from insurance adjusters to court cases and is a nine-time award winning author and broadcaster. LaNore has authored two books available on Amazon. He resides in north Texas near beautiful Lake Texoma.