What happens if there is a hurricane forecast for the area?
A hurricane is a cyclonic storm system in which winds reach a constant speed of at least 74 mph and may gust up to and over 200 mph. Their heavy bands of spiral clouds may cover an area several hundred miles in diameter and generate torrential rains and tornadoes. As the hurricane moves over the ocean, a highly destructive storm surge up to 30 feet above normal sea level forms and moves onshore as the hurricane eye approaches landfall. The hurricane season begins June 1 and usually ends in November.
Hurricanes are categorized by their sustained winds, with Category 1 being the weakest and Category 5 being the most powerful.
All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes. Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland producing winds exceeding 155 miles per hour, as well as tornadoes and microbursts. Floods and flying debris from the excessive winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these weather events. The hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October.
Most likely, ABAC would only experience winds and rains from a hurricane. Be prepared for travel delays as much of the coast would be evacuated.
Follow the procedures for Severe Thunderstorms or Tornados (below) in the event the effects are notable this far inland.
One of nature’s most destructive forces, a tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a supercell thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can generate wind speeds of up to 318 miles per hour and produce a damage path over a mile in width and fifty miles distance.
WATCH – A tornado watch is issued when the conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado. Be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen.
WARNING – May be issued when a tornado has actually been sighted or is being shown on Doppler radar. Danger signs include thunder, lightning, heavy rains, strong winds, hail, roaring noise, and a dark spinning funnel from the sky to the ground.
Tornadoes are spawned from powerful thunderstorms and appear as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from thunderstorm clouds to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Some tornadoes are clearly visible, while rain or nearby low-hanging clouds obscure others. Tornadoes may develop so rapidly that little if any, advance warning is possible. Before a tornado strikes, the wind may die and the air may become very still. If a tornado is imminent, you may only have a few minutes to go to safety.
IF INDOORS:
- Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table, and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
- Cover face and head with arms and crouch facing the interior wall of the building.
- Immediately evacuate areas without reinforced construction such as auditoriums, gymnasiums, and large rooms with wide free-span roofs.
- Do not open windows.
IF OUTDOORS:
- If caught in open areas, move away from the tornado’s path at a right angle. If there is no time to escape, lie flat in the nearest depression, such as a ditch.
- Watch out for flying debris as it causes most fatalities and injuries.
- If there is no safe location, immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt, and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
IF IN AN AUTOMOBILE:
- If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
- If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.
- Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; if possible, cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushions.
- Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
- Never try to outrun a tornado in congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
