Hurricane Hazards

Despite the past few hurricane seasons, most of us have never experienced the total devastation a hurricane can cause. Below are some of the major hurricane hazards that can threaten us.

Wind

Hurricanes are categorized by sustained winds of 74 mph to 200 mph. Hurricane force winds can sever power and communication lines. Winds in excess of 45 mph begin to damage traffic signals and topple trees.

Residents living on the upper floors of high-rise condos may experience much higher wind speeds. Roofs are damaged and windows are hit by flying projectiles. Mobile and manufactured homes generally experience greater damage and residents should evacuate.

Tornados

Tornados may form in the rain bands of a hurricane and cause significant damage. Tornados are commonly found in the right front quadrant of the storm. These tornados are not as intense as those in the Midwest tornado belt, but they can inflict tremendous damage with little or no warning.

Storm Surge

Storm surge is a dome of water that moves ashore near the hurricane eyewall. It has the potential to be a major killer if evacuation is inadequate. As the storm makes landfall, tide levels of 4 to 25 feet may occur along the coastal areas and major rivers of Southwest Florida. This is enough to inundate most populated areas. Damage amounts depend on the hurricane’s intensity, size and its direction of movement. Storm surge causes salt water flooding which cripples communications, causes sewers and storm water basins to back up and contaminates drinking water supplies. Storm surge flooding washes out roads and leaves streets filled with sand and debris.

Heavy Rain

Over the past 30 years, freshwater flooding has caused more drowning deaths than storm surge flooding. Torrential rains associated with slow moving or stationary tropical weather systems can produce more than 40 inches of rain over a two-day time period. In addition to flooding residences and businesses, heavy rain can have a disastrous effect on agriculture interests by drowning crops and increasing the probability of disease and pest infestations in surviving crops. Insects, dead animals and sewage polluted water can create massive health problems.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM POSES A THREAT TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA?

Emergency Management personnel closely monitor tropical weather and are in frequent contact with the National Hurricane Center. The media provides frequent updates on the storm, as well as emergency protective actions recommended by the Emergency Operations Center. As a hurricane or tropical storm moves closer to Southwest Florida, Emergency Operations Centers will be activated. The National Weather Service also broadcasts continually over NOAA Weather Radio. Check with your local Emergency Management Office for the frequency that serves your area. Alarm activated NOAA Weather Radios with a battery back-up are inexpensive and can be purchased locally. NOAA Weather Broadcasts are invaluable sources of “real-time” information during severe weather conditions. For emergency action statements affecting your county, listen to local radio and TV broadcasts. Please consult the “Emergency Information” on page 28 for media outlets and the NOAA FIPS code for your county.

WHAT AREAS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO HIGH WATER LEVELS CAUSED BY STORM SURGE?

Storm surge can rise over 25 feet above normal tide levels in the Gulf of Mexico. Except for the areas of Immokalee, Lehigh Acres, eastern Sarasota County and the inland counties, a large percentage of Southwest Florida coastal residents live in areas just a few feet above sea level. Should a major land falling hurricane strike Southwest Florida, many low-lying coastal areas would be flooded to varying depths by the storm surge and wave action that accompany the storm. Tides of 3 to 4 feet above normal could occur as many as 12 hours before the “eye” of the storm reaches the coastline. Many of our coastal roads used as evacuation routes could be underwater well in advance of the storm, thus restricting their use as evacuation routes.

EVACUATE
Early

People living or working in coastal or flood prone areas should be prepared to evacuate and seek shelter inland as soon as a Hurricane Warning is announced. Evacuations should be completed early to avoid the high winds and heavy rain, which precede the arrival of the storm. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, either along the coast or inland, you may be stranded without fire, law enforcement or medical support until the floodwaters subside.

HURRICANE NAMES FOR YEAR 2008

Arthur	Laura
Bertha	Marco
Cristobal	Nana
Dolly	Omar
Edouard	Paloma
Fay	Rene
Gustav	Sally
Hanna	Teddy
Ike	Vicky
Josephine	Wilfred
Kyle