Hurricanes cause life-threatening hazards, including torrential rains, high winds, storm surges and tornadoes. Each hurricane has a unique path and affects different communities in different ways. Local officials often issue evacuation orders before the hurricane arrives. If you live in an area at risk for flooding or a storm surge, it’s important to follow these instructions and evacuate when told to do so.
The National Hurricane Center classifies hurricanes based on wind speed, but this is only one factor that determines how dangerous a storm will be. Other factors include a hurricane’s track, size, storm structure and the vulnerability of the area it affects.
When a hurricane forms, the warm surface waters it moves over churn and heat up, releasing energy that causes the storm to intensify. Whether the storm can maintain its strength depends on whether the churning mixes with deeper cooler water, which can rob a hurricane of power or give it added strength.
A hurricane can also bring a dome of ocean water called a storm surge, which sweeps inland and can devastate coastal communities, especially low-lying areas. Nine out of 10 hurricane deaths are caused by storm surge, which can inundate houses, bury cars and drown people. Other risks include flying debris, tornadoes and power outages. Even after a hurricane clears out, it can leave behind lingering health hazards like heart attacks and carbon monoxide poisoning from generators. In addition, a hurricane can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses from mold and bacteria that can grow in damp conditions.
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