Hurricane Basics

Hurricanes Hurricane Season It's time to brush up on common hurricane terms and prepare for the 2008 season.

by Jene' Young

Published: Tue, May 20, 2008 - 9:00 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, July 21, 2008 - 5:34 pm CST

Whether you're anticipating your first hurricane season, or your 40th, we all need to know the basics!!
Hurricane season starts June 1st and ends November 30th.
Hurricanes form in stages... when a storm becomes a Tropical Storm, that's when it earns a name. In a tropical storm, thunderstorms grow, and the wind speed increases. Tropical Storm force winds start at 39 mph and can climb to 73 mph. When the wind inside a Storm reaches 74 mph, that’s when it’s called a hurricane.

The Saffir Simpson Scale measures a hurricanes intensity. The scale rates storms from category one to category five. This scale also estimates storm surge threat.
During Hurricane Katrina, record storm surge was the biggest killer. Storm surge is mostly driven by the wind, but also forms with the low pressure.

When a hurricane approaches the coast, the National Weather Service issues a hurricane watch or hurricane warning. A hurricane watch means you need to prepare, because you may experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. A hurricane warning means hurricane force winds are possible within a day, and you need to be ready.

It's never easy to plan for a storm. But having basic items like food, water, and even flash lights to last for you and each member of your family for at least 72 hours will keep you safe. One basic idea the National Weather Service wants everyone to remember is ‘run from the water, hide from the wind.’

Dr. Keith Blackwell is a Hurricane Researcher and Meteorology Professor at the University of South Alabama. He says, “Winds scare you, winds get the attention of everybody, you know 150 mph. Yes, that wind is scary, and it can do a lot of damage too, it can kill you if you are unwise, or in the wrong place at the wrong time. But the water is the main thing, the main killer in storms. If storm surge gets to you, you're very likely to drown. You may think oh I can swim good, no you don't understand. Not with all the debris in the water, and all this stuff grinding together, you can get crushed in that surge."

If this is your first hurricane season, Blackwell has one more tip no matter how old you are.
"Pay attention! Look at the radar. When there is a storm going on, and it's coming on your local area, look at the radar! Look at the local TV channels, because you can see the heavy squalls coming at you, and those heavy squalls often contain the strongest wind, and possible tornadoes. If you see these things coming at you, man, hunker down during that time!"

You can find out a lot more about basic hurricane terms, and even evacuation zones. Just click some on the links on the right side of this page.

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fartman Says:

Wed, May 21, 2008 at 10:02 am

Why, Thank you kind sir….

carl Says:

Wed, May 21, 2008 at 9:57 am

I know FARTMAN it was intended to be humorous and my reply was also,no intended animosity in the reply,I was chuckling as i wrote it,but I really shouldn’t be commenting on those deadly disasters,My heart goes out to those affected from both,I’ve been there and still working my way to recovery and it’s a long road back. Even if you were serious,You shouldn’t have to apologize for your opinions and views,You are entitled to them.

fartman Says:

Wed, May 21, 2008 at 9:37 am

Easy cowboy “Carl”...only making jokes about it…geez!! Lighten up…

carl Says:

Wed, May 21, 2008 at 9:22 am

That sounds really great,if your able why don’t you move over to one of those really distant Islands where they have those really big Tsunamis and wait, Imagine catching a really big one and hurdling along at the speed of sound and dodging trees,buildings and concrete obstacles,that would give you a really big rush,wouldn’t it? If I were you I wouldn’t wait too long because the other surfers might get the Idea too and beat you there.

fartman Says:

Wed, May 21, 2008 at 8:06 am

Hurricane, Schmurrican!! They are great!! The surfing is unbelievable!! About the only time the surf is good around here. This is not Tom Townsend.

carl Says:

Wed, May 21, 2008 at 7:02 am

Due to the economics of the present times,running is no longer an option for myself and many,many others. The shelter we sought for katrina due to flooding of our house was to say at the least, unacceptable for the wife and a 18 month old girl we were raising at the time. Some of the people there were there to get what they could from the families seeking shelter,asking you for money or what ever you could spare,mean while the guards and a few of the medical personel were locked in the cafeteria eating and drinking coffee and looked to be having a great time. At that point we decided we would take our chances with the elements turned around and went back and waded in near waist deep water at night,crawled in a window and slept in the water that night and the next day. So as you can see a lot of us will be depending on your weather team for hints and help. All of your team is doing a great service for those of us no longer able to run for a safe place.