Hurricane Preparedness

As the 2019 Hurricane Season is upon us, officially beginning on June 1^st, we have already had one named storm.  Storms do not check the calendar, and the “season” is an estimate of when these storms can occur.

The 2019 season is predicted to be a “near normal” season, with about 9 to 15 named storms, with 4 to 8 of these becoming hurricanes.  

However, no matter how many storms are predicted, it is important to remember that it only takes one powerful storm to hit where you or your organization are to cause catastrophic destruction and death.  So planning and preparing for hurricane season should be the same, whether it is forecasted to be a moderate or heavy season.

When we think of hurricanes, one usually thinks of winds – how strong the winds are determine if the hurricane is a category 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.  However, according to Ken Graham, National Hurricane Center Director, history has shown that 90% of fatalities in hurricanes are in fact due to water.  In the last 3 years alone, 83% of deaths during hurricanes have been due to water.  While we think of winds, we really must focus on flooding, and how to protect property and life from the effects of flooding.  

Flooding caused by stalled storms that dump a tremendous amount of water on already soaked land can happen well inland.  Storm surge is a coastal concern of water pushed onto the land by the force of the storm.  With more people living on the coast than ever before, there are more lives vulnerable to the dangers of storm surge.

Hurricane planning includes multiple phases:

• Before Hurricane Season
• Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch
• Tropical Storm or Hurricane Warning
• During the Storm
• After the Storm

For information on Hurricane Preparedness, take a look at the Preparedness Bulletin for detailed information on how to prepare.

Analyzing flood exposure is an important part of preparing for storm season.  Our Preparedness Bulletin, Flood Preparedness is instructive, and provides resources on where to find information specific to your region. 

A plan that accurately identifies the resources and time needed to prepare has the greatest chance for success.