MenuPlan Urged for Hurricane Season
General Hurricane Information
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. A typical tropical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.
The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October. Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Hurricane can produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes and mircrobursts. Additionally, hurricanes can create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale classifies hurricanes into five categories based on their sustained wind speed at the indicated time. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale provides information on wind impacts only. The scale does not address the potential for other hurricane-related impacts, such as storm surge, rainfall-induced floods, and tornadoes.
| Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Summary | ||
| Scale Number (Category) | Sustained Winds (MPH) | Damage |
| 1 | 74-95 | Very dangerous winds will produce some damage
|
| 2 | 96-110 | Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage
|
| 3 | 111-129 | Devastating damage will occur
|
| 4 | 130-156 | Catastrophic damage will occur
|
| 5 | 157 or Higher | Catastrophic damage will occur
|
Category 3 Hurricane
Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and property. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however, and require preventive measures.
Floods and Debris
Floods and flying debris from the winds of a hurricane are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events. Slow moving hurricanes traveling into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall. Between 1970 and 1999, more people lost their lives from freshwater inland flooding associated with hurricanes and tropical storms than from any other weather hazard related to such storms.
Learn What To Do
Before a hurricane, you should protect yourself and your family by planning ahead. Disaster preparedness is a team effort between the public and private sectors to save lives, reduce injuries and save property.
Learn what to do before, during and after a major hurricane storm. Based upon where you live, you may need to make important decisions in advance about how your family will handle this emergency situation. Develop an emergency plan based upon your family's needs. Establish and maintain an emergency kit.
If a hurricane is approaching, the City of Raleigh will provide information here on the website. In addition, information will be sent to area media outlets to help keep people informed.
