Hurricane Information and Facts

When is Hurricane Season?

June 1st through November 30th.

Every year, at the start of the hurricane season, you should prepare your home for possible tropical storms, review your insurance for proper damage coverage, and have a family safety plan ready to minimize dangers. Being prepared for hurricanes is the best protection for your family and property.

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a tropical cyclone in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea or Gulf of Mexico. It is an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and sustained winds of at least 74 mph (64 knots). These winds blow in a large counterclockwise spiral around the hurricane eye which is a calm center of low pressure.

Tropical cyclones occur in various parts of the world and are termed differently depending on where they originate.

• Hurricane: the North Atlantic Ocean
• Typhoon: the Northwest Pacific Ocean
• Cyclone: the Southwest Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean

Tropical storms are classified as follows:

• Tropical Wave: a large low-pressure system in the tropics and subtropics.
• Tropical Disturbance: a group of thunderstorms that moves together through the tropics for at least 24 hours, but with no noticeable circular motion.
• Tropical Depression: an organized system of thunderstorms and massed clouds with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots).
• Tropical Storm: an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 knots).
• Hurricane: an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and minimum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots).

The different tropical storm and hurricane warnings:

• Tropical Storm Watch: an advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center when tropical storm conditions, with winds of 39 to 73 mph, could threaten a coastal area within 24 to 36 hours.
• Tropical Storm Warning: an advisory issued when winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected.
• Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch within 36 hours.
• Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the warning within 24 hours.

Hurricanes Categories

Hurricanes are further classified into 5 categories according to the strength of their sustained winds. The United States uses the Saffir-Simpson Intensity Scale to estimate a hurricane’s potential for flooding and damage to property based on the storm’s strength.

Based on their intensity, the estimated damage from hurricanes is predicted based on their category:

Category 1: Minimal

Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, and unanchored mobile homes. No real damage to building structures. Some coastal flooding, minor pier damage, and some exposed small crafts torn from moorings.

Category 2: Moderate

Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees, with some trees blown down. Major damage to some mobile homes. Some roofing material, door, and window damage. No major damage to buildings. Flooding of coast and low-lying inland roads 2 to 4 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying areas required. Flooding and damage to piers and marinas. Exposed small crafts torn from moorings.

Category 3: Extensive

Large trees blown down. Many mobile homes are destroyed. Some damage to roofs and doors, with other wind damage to buildings. Major flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures, floating debris will damage larger structures. Flooding of low-lying inland roads by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of shoreline required.

Category 4: Extreme

Shrubs and trees blown down. Extensive damage to roofs, windows and doors. Complete roof structure failure on many small buildings. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major beach erosion. Extensive flooding well inland. Evacuation of areas within 2 miles of shore.

Category 5: Catastrophic

Shrubs and trees blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe damage to roofs, windows and doors. Many buildings suffer complete roof failure and some complete building failures. Some small buildings blown away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline due to flooding. Massive evacuation of residential areas required.

Hurricane Names

2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Ana Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fabian Grace Henri Isabel Juan Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda	Alex Bonnie Charley Danielle Earl Frances Gaston Hermine Ivan Jeanne Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tomas Virginie Walter	Arlene Bret Cindy Dennis Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irene Jose Katrina Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rita Stan Tammy Vince Wilma	Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sandy Tony Valerie William	Andrea Barry Chantal Dean Erin Felix Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Noel Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy	Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gustav Hanna Ike Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paloma Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred	Ana Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fred Grace Henri Ida Joaquin Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda

Hurricane Tracking Map

Download or print out this hurricane tracking map. The pdf file will open in a new window.