After a record breaking hurricane season in 2020, it's hard to believe the next season is almost here. Hurricane season begins on May 15 for the Eastern Pacific Basin, and on June 1 for the Atlantic basin. Alongside the National Weather Service, WeatherNation will be recognizing "Hurricane Preparedness Week" from May 9-15. We'll help you get your plan together, understand the science behind tropical systems, and much more so you can be prepared this hurricane season. Whether you live on the coastline or inland, it is important to know your risks when it comes to tropical systems.  Coastal communities are most at risk of destructive winds, dangerous storm surge, and are more likely to have to evacuate. Communities even hundreds of miles away from coastlines are still at risk, with the threat of high winds, flooding rainfall, severe weather & tornadoes, and the longer-lasting threat of flooding and power outages that could occur days or weeks after a storm hits. GETTING READY FOR HURRICANE SEASON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsTPG8Occv4

KNOW YOUR RISKS

WHAT'S THE FORECAST THIS SEASON? Hurricane season forecasts are now being released for the 2021 Atlantic and Pacific basins, including those from NOAA and Colorado State University. Early predictions expect this year’s hurricane season to be busier than average. Dr. Phil Klotzbach and the Tropical Meteorology Project at CSU are among the first to issue an outlook for the season. This year they anticipate 17 named storms, 8 of which becoming hurricanes and 4 of those becoming major hurricanes. Reasoning behind the forecast includes above average sea surface temperatures in the subtropical Atlantic Ocean, and the lack of El Niño conditions expected during the season. While seasonal outlooks give us some idea of what to expect, there is no way to know for certain just what the season will have in store for YOUR area.  Seasonal outlooks cannot forecast exactly when, where, or if storm will strike. Remember, it only takes *one* to impact your area to become a "bad season".  So, it's important to prepare before a storm threatens. LIVE INLAND? YOU AREN'T IMMUNE TO HURRICANES! Even if you live nowhere near a coastline, impacts from tropical systems can still occur. As seen in recent storms such as Hurricane Harvey (2017) and Hurricane Florence (2018), inland impacts can sometimes become even more extreme and far-reaching than those right near the coast. Tropical Storm Allison (2001) and Hurricane Irene (2001) and Hurricane Lee (2001) all brought devastating inland impacts. Understand more about inland threats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-ZSM5hW-Hc UNDERSTANDING STORM SURGE Along the coast, storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane.  Storm surge has come along with some of the most powerful storms in history.

Surge Vulnerability Facts (source: NHC)

• From 1990-2008, population density increased by 32% in Gulf coastal counties, 17% in Atlantic coastal counties, and 16% in Hawaii (U.S. Census Bureau 2010)
• Much of the United States' densely populated Atlantic and Gulf Coast coastlines lie less than 10 feet above mean sea level
• Over half of the Nation's economic productivity is located within coastal zones
• 72% of ports, 27% of major roads, and 9% of rail lines within the Gulf Coast region are at or below 4 ft elevation (CCSP, SAP 4-7)
• A storm surge of 23 ft has the ability to inundate 67% of interstates, 57% of arterials, almost half of rail miles, 29 airports, and virtually all ports in the Gulf Coast area (CCSP SAP 4-7)

Storm surge is one of the major factors to determine local evacuations. Unsure if you live in an evacuation zone? Contact your local emergency officials, or take some time to research it on the internet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5_R5d49gAs

PREPARE AT HOME

GET YOUR SUPPLY KIT READY Once your know your risks, you should put together an essential hurricane supply kit. There are two types of "kits" you should put together...one if you're sheltering at your home during a storm, and one that you can grab and go should you need to evacuate. [Get your supplies ready to shelter at home Click here for a full list of essentials from FEMA ] Here's what to pack in your "go kit" in case you will need to evacuate: https://youtu.be/5hqtqotWSzQ COMMUNICATING THROUGH A TROPICAL SYSTEM Effective communication is critical to forecasters and emergency management to relay potentially life saving information to the public when tropical systems threaten. When a storm hits, sometimes the basic communication methods we are all familiar with, such as cell phones and internet, can fail. Learn more about communicating before and during the storm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq6K4NLmUHc PREPARING YOUR BOAT BEFORE A TROPICAL SYSTEM Many who live along the coast need to know what to do to secure their boat or vessel before a storm strikes. Boats can be greatly damaged, or cause damage to other property of if not properly secured or removed before a storm. https://youtu.be/Cmtuk8oJjW8 Additional Helpful Tips: 

• Learn much more and get storm ready by visiting Ready.Gov/Hurricanes
• Learn much more with FEMA to get hurricane smart
• Check your insurance coverage. If you are uninsured, apply BEFORE a storm threatens, as it may be too late if you wait
• Sign up for emergency alerts with your local county, city, or town to ensure you are receiving the most up to date information before and during a storm.
• Talk through your emergency plan with your family ahead of hurricane season
• Understand tropical weather terminology

 

ABOUT THE SCIENCE

We get it. There's A LOT of jargon, phrases, and information that can make understanding tropical cyclones difficult. Understanding the basics may help when a storm threatens. WATCHES VS. WARNINGS Do you know the difference between a watch and a warning? What about all of the alerts issued during tropical season? Whenever a tropical cyclone (a tropical depression, tropical storm, or hurricane) or a subtropical storm has formed in the Atlantic or eastern North Pacific, the NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues tropical cyclone advisory products at least every 6 hours at 5 am, 11 am, 5 pm, and 11 pm EDT. A WATCH is issued when hurricane, tropical storm or storm surge conditions are expected within 48 hours. A WARNING is issued when life-threatening conditions are expected within 36 hours. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0naRJgZsrk TROPICAL TERMINOLOGY It is important you understand certain tropical weather terminology to be better informed when a storm threatens. The difference between a tropical depression, tropical storm, and hurricane is simply wind speed. Each designation says nothing about particular impacts. Each system is unique, and listening to details of the forecast is key to being prepared and taking action if needed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZzNd_3oRfY WHAT IS THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE? The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed, with 5 being the highest. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however, and require preventative measures.  (Source: NHC) https://youtu.be/Bkk325N0HCI WHAT CAUSES A HURRICANE TO FORM? Most tropical cyclones start as a disorganized cluster of thunderstorms in the tropical latitudes around the Globe, known as a tropical wave. Under the right atmospheric conditions, tropical waves can transform into full blow tropical storms or, eventually, hurricanes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh1ayKv-Q4o WHY ARE STORMS GIVEN NAMES? As tropical systems develop and strengthen, they must reach a certain wind speed threshold to be given a name. According to NHC history, the use of easily remembered names greatly reduces confusion when two or more tropical storms occur at the same time.  Names are determined years in advance of each season by the World Meteorological Organization for different ocean basins around the world. UNDERSTANDING THE FORECAST "CONE" Listening to forecast details can mean the difference between being prepared and caught off guard. Before a storm strikes, you'll often see a forecast "cone" to represent the expected forecast track of a system.  Learn how to interpret the forecast track "cone" from the National Hurricane Center, and also how we relay that information visually on WeatherNation. https://youtu.be/HbA0aLkFDKw WHAT PART OF A HURRICANE IS THE MOST POWERFUL? When a hurricane threatens landfall, most often the most impacts will be felt on the "front right quadrant" in relation to the direction of movement. Impacts can and will be felt on all "sides" of a storm, but the threat of highest winds, storm surge, and indirect impacts, such as tornadoes, are often increased in the front right quadrant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDMEGol7sBE RIDE ALONG WITH THE "HURRICANE HUNTERS" Do you ever wonder how data is gathered about tropical cyclones? To that, we turn to the "hurricane hunters"- teams of engineers, meteorologists, data scientists, pilots and others who fly directly into the heart of a storm to gather critical data about the cyclone. Get a look into the storm and data collected by NOAA's Hurricane Hunters and learn how the information they gather is critical to understand hurricanes and making a forecast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UCXmeoUQww https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Yr8esATdk WHY CERTAIN STORM NAMES WILL NEVER BE USED AGAIN What do the names Katrina, Michael, Andrew, and Sandy all have in common? They are 4 of the 93 tropical names that will never be used again to identify a tropical cyclone. The World Meteorological Organization uses names to identify cyclones around the world, but some storms become so costly or destructive, they can never be used again. [Related link: Watch the top 5 most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history] Being prepared before hurricane season is key to reacting quickly when a storm threatens your area. Understanding your risks where you live, and knowing how to react can mean the difference between saving your life and property when a storm approaches. WeatherNation will continue to follow any and all systems that threaten the U.S. and Caribbean Islands throughout hurricane season to make sure you stay informed long before a storm strikes Still have questions? Be sure to watch Hurricane Prep Week on WeatherNation, or get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter.