It’s Never Too Early to Prepare
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the peak season happening between mid-August to late October. On average, there are 6 hurricanes, 3 of which are categorized as “major,” each year. History provides important examples of the potentially dangerous impact hurricanes can have and the need to be prepared.
Unfortunately, many of us don’t begin preparing for a storm until after we know that it is coming our way, but now is the time to prepare yourself, your family, and your community. To take action, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you have a plan to survive a disaster?
- Do you have an emergency supplies kit for your home and your car?
- Are your homeowners’ and flood insurance policies in order?
- Have you planned your evacuation?
- Do you have a plan for turning off your utilities?
- Do you have a plan to secure the house/outdoor items/boat?
- Do you have copies of your insurance policies, important documents, and other valuables in a safe place?
- Do you have an inventory and a detailed description of your property?
- Has your roof been inspected in the last nine months?
- Have you had routine maintenance on your trees and shrubs around the house?
- Have you had routine maintenance done on your car, and are the tires, including the spare, in good condition?
- Is your emergency phone list up to date?
- Have you made arrangements for your out-of-state communication contact?
- Do you have plans to address the “special needs” of family members?
- Have you decided what you will do with your animals?
- Do you have a recovery plan?
- Are you involved with community preparedness planning and education?
- Have you budgeted for the additional expenses to prepare your home, buy supplies, and evacuate?
If you need any additional information or help in preparing for a hurricane, contact your local electric utility, the LSU Cooperative Extension Service or an Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Hurricane Categories
Category 1
74 to 95 MPH Winds
Minimum Surface Pressure: higher than 980 millibars (mbar)
Storm Surge: 3 to 5 feet, 1.0 to 1.7 meters
Some Damage:
- Potential roof damage
- Large tree branches may snap, shallow-rooted trees may fall
- Damage to utility poles and power lines. Outages may last few to several days
Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage, and unanchored homes. No real damage to other structures. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings.
Example: Hurricane Jerry (1989).
Category 2
96 to 110 MPH Winds
Minimum Surface Pressure: 979 to 965 mbar
Storm Surge: 6 to 8 ft, 1.8 to 2.6 m
Extensive Damage:
- Potential major roof damage
- Shallow-rooted trees will be snapped or unrooted
- Power outages for several days to weeks
Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings. Coast roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacutation of some shoreline residences and low-lying areas required.
Example: Hurricane Bob (1991).
Category 3
111 to 129 MPH Winds
Minimum Surface Pressure: 964 to 945 mbar
Storm Surge: 9 to 12 feet, 2.7 to 3.8 meters
Devastating Damage:
- Major home damage
- Many trees will be snapped or unrooted
- Electricity and water may be unavailable for several days to weeks
Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some wind and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Flat terrain 5 feet or less above sea level flooded inland 8 miles or more. Evacuation of lowlying residences within several blocks of shoreline possibly required.
Example: Hurricane Gloria (1985)
Category 4
130 to 156 MPH Winds
Winds: 131 to 155 mph, 114 to 135 knots, 210 to 249 km/h
Minimum Surface Pressure: 944 to 920 mbar
Storm Surge: 13 to 18 feet, 3.9 to 5.6 meters
Catastrophic Damage:
- Severe home damage
- Most trees will be snapped or uprooted, and utility poles downed
- Power outages for weeks to possibly months
Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows, and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Flat terrain 10 feet or less above sea level flooded inland as far as 6 miles. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape roues inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yards of shore possibly required, and of single story residences within 2 miles of shore.
Example: Hurricane Charley (2004).
Category 5
>156 MPH Winds
Minimum Surface Pressure: lower than 920 mbar
Storm Surge: higher than 18 feet, 5.6 meters
Catastrophic Damage:
- A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed
- Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas
- Power outages for weeks to possibly months
Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to roofs of buildings; all signs down. Very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of shore possibly required.
Example: Hurricane Camille (1969)
Hurricane Safety Resources
Provided by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
Hurricane Maps
Public Information Map
This map is intended to provide general awareness of current and recent tropical weather around the world. It is not intended to replace authoritative government websites but rather to provide situational awareness.
Hurricane Aware Map
Use this map to find information about the potential impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes in the US using Living Atlas data.
WSTE Hurricane Updates
Check our Cooperative News section for updates about any ongoing storms and restoration efforts.