Helpful Tips to Prepare for a Hurricane

Perhaps you’ve recently found your dream home somewhere on the Gulf or East Coasts. Maybe you’ve lived here for some time but haven’t been threatened by a tropical storm or hurricane yet. It won’t be long until you experience one since hurricanes are common across coastal areas in the southern and eastern United States. When that happens, you’ll want to be prepared for the storm to keep you, your family, and property as safe as possible.
Table of contents
- Who Feels Hurricane Impacts
- Understanding The Hurricane Scale
- The Dangers of Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
- How to Prepare For A Hurricane
- Preparing Your Home
- Know Your Zone
- Special Preparations
- Landscaping to Protect Your House
- Before You Evacuate
- Preparing Your Business for a Hurricane
- Getting Back to Business
- Evacuation Routes
- Shelters
- Making Your Way Back Home
- Preparing For A Hurricane
- Hurricane Facts
- History on Hurricanes
Who Feels Hurricane Impacts
To give you an idea of just how many hurricanes hit our country, 307 storms have made landfall since record-keeping began in 1850 up to 2024. For clarity, landfall only occurs if the eye or storm center tracks onto land. States can still experience storm impacts and near-misses without the eye wall crossing onto dry land. Additionally, record-keeping became more extensive records along coastal locations starting in the 1900s, so some storms may have been missed. The figures do not include tropical storms, where sustained winds are 35-74 miles per hours.
Understanding The Hurricane Scale
Hurricanes are powerful tropical weather systems that affect the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Seaboard. The “season” runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak of activity occurring between mid-August to late October. Storms can also form outside of this window; Tropical Storm Ana formed three weeks early in 2024 while storms were still cropping up in mid-November 2024.
Tornadoes, heavy winds, flooding, strong thunderstorms, landslides, and storm surge are all products of hurricanes. With so much variability, meterologists use the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to provide an estimate of the potential property damage as calculated by a hurricane’s wind speed.
A hurricane that reaches Category 3 or higher is expected to have a devastating impact due to its potential for significant property damage and loss of life. However, storms that are classified as Category 1 and 2 are still dangerous and will need preventative measures. Even Tropical Storms can cause billions in damage, as with Allison in 2001 that racked up $15.1 billion.
The hurricane categories according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
- Tropical Depression: Winds up to 39 miles per hour (mph)
- Tropical Storm: 39 to 73 mph
- Category 1: 74 to 95 mph
- Category 2: 96 to 110 mph
- Category 3: 111 to 129 mph
- Category 4: 130 to 156 mph
- Category 5: Winds 157 mph or greater
- Note that many other factors will determine exactly how much devastation a hurricane causes in a particular area. Among these are the storm’s size, speed, and where it comes ashore. Hurricane Katrina was only a category 3 by windspeeds, but by making landfall in lowlying Louisiana and with New Orleans’ levees failing, its damage cost exceeded $200billion, making it the costliest storm as of 2024. *
The Dangers of Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
As mentioned, these storms pose risks on multiple fronts. The high winds and the storm surge get a lot of attention. But there are other threats, like high rainfall totals, that in turn cause significant flash flooding and lingering inland flooding. Hurricane Ivan spun out 120 tornadoes. After the storms, are the risk of increased water and air pollution from the resulting damage. Your hurricane preparations should factor in all of these possible risks.
Storm Surge and Flooding
A storm surge is created when water is pushed to the shore due to wind forces. This results in a rise in water, which then causes extreme flooding. Storm surges are often the biggest threat to homes and lives, especially for those who live in coastal areas. Hurricane Katrina produced 28 feet of storm surge.
When tropical storms reach land, they can produce heavy rain that results in destructive and deadly flash floods. Additionally, high rain totals can lead to long-term flooding as watersheds back up and struggle to drain the water. The amount of rainfall isn’t related to the storm strength. Instead, it is dependent on the storm size, speed, and the area geography. Slow-moving storms present the highest risk of major flooding. Hurricane Harvey dumped over 60 inches near Nederland, Texas, in 2017. That’s five feet of rainfall!
All these forces can also reshape entire coastlines through erosion and flooding.
High Winds
High winds during a hurricane are incredibly dangerous, often causing significant destruction due to their strength and sustained nature. They can destroy houses, buildings, and infrastructure. The sustained pressure can rip roofs off buildings, shatter windows, and even flatten entire structures. Combined with soaked grounds, trees can topple onto power lines, vehicles, and homes. Everyday objects like tree branches, signs, or even pieces of broken buildings into high-speed projectiles. This flying debris can cause injuries to people and damage to structures, cars, and anything else in its path.
Tornadoes
The unstable, swirling winds in the atmosphere combined with their warm nature and wind sheer can set off tornadoes. The risk is greater in a storm’s outer bands, where thunderstorm activity is at its highest, and research shows the right front quadrants tend to spin out the most. These tornadoes add a unique threat, creating severe localized damage that combines with the hurricane’s widespread impact. Hurricane-spawned tornadoes are often brief, lasting only a few minutes, but they can form with little warning and move quickly. This rapid formation makes them difficult to predict, giving people little time to seek shelter.
How to Prepare For A Hurricane
One of the most important things is to never panic, which applies before, during, and after the storm. A calm head helps make informed decisions.
Know Your Risk Factors
Living oceanfront in sunny Florida? Then you should be well aware your home is at risk of storm surge, coastal flooding, high winds, and erosion. You probably live in a mandatory evacuation zone. Your plan should include evacuating and the possibility of returning to the total loss of your home. But if you live ten miles from the coast well away from a river or low-lying areas, your bigger risk comes from fallen trees and debris. You could be without power for a while, so you’ll want to plan for that.
You will provide yourself with an advantage if you create a plan ahead. Leaving things to the last minute is when people start to panic or make poor decision.
Emergency Kits
Preparation starts by creating an emergency kit. It doesn’t matter if you decide to evacuate or if you choose to ride the storm out, having essential supplies at head supports both decisions.
Stock up on enough supplies in your home that will cover the needs of your family for the next three days. Assemble a Family Emergency Kit full of things you’ll need during an evacuation or emergency. Put the supplies in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container, such as a duffle bag, covered storage container, or suitcase.
A standard hurricane emergency kit should contain:
- Two gallons of water per person daily for three days to use for drinking and sanitation.
- Non-perishable food for the next three days
- A hand crank or battery-powered radio along with an NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries
- A first aid kit
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Garbage bags, moist towelettes, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- A whistle to signal for help
- A can opener for food
- Cell phone with chargers
- Local printed maps
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and extra water if you have pets
- Essential documents such as identification, bank account records, and insurance policies should be separated in a waterproof and portable container.
- Cash or traveler’s checks and change
- Family emergency contact information
- Fuel for cars and/or generators
Preparing For Water Needs
Clean water access matters after a storm. Hurricanes can damage our water infrastructure, leading to no water or boil water notices. Be ready!
- Store water in plastic containers like collapsible water containers, plastic milk jugs, or soft drink bottles. The benefit to collapsible water containers is you can pack them away in your emergency kit when not in use, and they can hold up to 5 gallons of water. If you buy one for each member of your family, you should have more than enough for three days without water.
- Don’t use containers that may break such as glass bottles.
- Keep in mind that an active person needs to drink a minimum of two quarts of water per day. However, children, nursing mothers, and those with illness will need more.
- Keep a minimum of a three-day drinkable supply of water for everyone in the family. Another hurricane preparation tip is to store additional water that could be used for flushing toilets, washing dishes, and other needs. You can do this by filling up your bathtub, any sealed buckets you might have in the home, and even top-loading washing machines.
- Having emergency water filters and sanitation can fill the gap in the short-term, but each comes with its own pros and cons. And remember, boiling water means you need a fuel source if you’re without power.
Preparing Your Food Needs
- Store foods that don’t need refrigeration and those that need little preparation or cooking. Choose ready-to-eat canned meats, vegetables, and fruits. Remember, backpacker meals can be tasty but they need clean, hot water to work.
- Bring food items that are lightweight and compact.
- Throw in some staples such as salt, sugar, and pepper. It can make a difference!
- High energy foods such as trail mix, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, and granola bars fill the gaps when evacuating or without power.
- Include any vitamins
- Store food items for elderly persons, infants, or those on a special diet. Baby formula can be hard to come by if an area loses power and supply chains are impacted; stock up more than three days.
- Remember a few comfort foods such as hard candy, cookies, lollipops, instant coffee, or tea bags
First Aid Kit
Have a kit for your home and one in each car, and be sure to get a first aid manual from your local American Red Cross chapter. Each first aid kit should include the following:
Preparing for Power Outages
Loss of power is extremely common during tropical events. Trees collapse power lines, substations flood, transformers blow up…sometimes the power company shuts off power to a neighborhood for safety reasons.
Restoring power takes time and it’s hard to judge how much time that is. Every storm is different. Rest assured, though, the linemen and crews are working hard to get you back up and running.
Not having power is why your emergency kit should have non-perishable food and water, matches, flashlights, and spare batteries at a minimum. Some people opt to include camp stoves and fuel for cooking. Remember, any dehydrated meal kits will need clean water.
Some homeowners use generators to power key appliances, some, or all of their home in a power outage. In that case, follow the instructions for maintenance and use of the generator. Don’t operate in an enclosed space, ever. Run the generator before the storm to check it’s working properly. Have a supply of fuel to keep the generator running.
Other Hurricane Items To Consider
- A change of clothing that includes sturdy shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
- A warm blanket or sleeping bag for every person.
- Additional clothing, jackets, and hand warmers if you live in an area with a cold climate.
- Multipurpose tool
- An axe
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches and fire starter
- Duct tape
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Dust mask if there is contaminated air
- Sterile gloves or work gloves
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles, or other activities
- Mess kits with paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
- Hand sanitizer
- Portable, battery-powered fans if you live in a hot climate
- Mosquito nets or screens
- Sunscreen
- Paracord or other rope
- Portable or camp stove and fuel canisters
- Extra essential toiletries: paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, soap, diapers, et al
- Buckets for collecting water
Preparing Your Home
There are a few things that you can do today to avoid headaches tomorrow should the unexpected happen. Here is a guideline on things that you can do before a hurricane comes, along with items that you will need to keep on hand to give yourself an advantage during a storm.
Know Your Zone
Before a disaster like a hurricane strikes, be sure to get online and get to know your flood and evacuation zone. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, it’s important to learn about evacuation zones, as well as how they will hold up against storm surges. Local Emergency Management Division websites publish resources to find these flood, evacuation, and other safe zones. Those in a flood zone may prepare their home differently from those that are not.
Check Homeowners Insurance Policy
At a minimum, you must have full replacement cost coverage, which means that your home can be replaced up to the limit that’s been specified on the policy. The guaranteed replacement cost coverage will be able to pay all costs associated with rebuilding your home, even if it exceeds the policy’s limit. What’s included in a homeowners policy varies from state to state and between insurers. For instance, Texas doesn’t require wind damage to be included whereas Florida does. However, Florida policies may specify that hurricane-related wind damage has a “named storm” deductible.
Other steps to ensure you get the most out of your insurance policy:
- Check for changes in codes.
- Update your policy to include the replacement of your possessions.
- Check your insurance policy for a windstorm or a hurricane deductible.
- Find out if food is covered.
- If applicable, buy renter’s insurance.
- Consider purchasing flood insurance.
Create a Home Inventory
Doing this will allow you to keep track of everything in your home and ensure that everything is covered under your policy.
- Make a list of all valuables and furniture. Make sure to document them by taking pictures or videos of your belongings. Save these into a cloud-based folder or app service for electronic safekeeping.
- Place important items and documents inside a watertight bag and store them in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box. Ideas: all your government-issued identifications, such as Passports, Social Security cards, and driver’s licenses for all family members. Homeowner’s insurance policy, medical records, wills, birth certificates, and other important legal documents.
Secure the Exterior
Long before the first outer bands roll ashore, prepare the outside of your home to weather the storm. You want to a) move anything that high winds could pick up and turn into a projectile, and b) prevent damage to your home. Walk around the home and secure:
- All patio furniture including barbeque grills
- Loose outside decor like flags, bird feeders, wall hangings, and wind chimes
- Fencing gates
- Dead branches on tall trees
- Bring potted plants inside
At the same time, you’ll want to:
- Securely anchor sheds and carports
- Install storm shutters on windows and doors
- Block exterior vents where flood waters could enter the home
- Build flood barriers, such as with sandbags
- Run the generator to check that it’s still working.
Prepare the Interior
What could possibly be done to the inside of your home? Quite a bit, actually. The idea is treat your living space like you could be out of power for three days. That means you’ll need to secure your family and belongings for that possibly. Some steps you can take:
Clean your bathtub and then fill it to have a back-up water supply
Give each person a working headlamp
Prepare a safe room in your home. Bring essential supplies to this room.
Charge all communication devices and battery-back-ups.
Fill up old bottles with water and freeze them to make ice blocks. It will help keep cold goods longer.
If the power does go out, keep the fridge and freezer closed as much as possible.
Special Preparations
Pets
If you have animals, take the necessary steps to keep them safe during a hurricane. Remember, pets are part of the family too, so they shouldn’t be left behind. There’s no better time to start preparing than before a storm forecast is heading your way.
ID Your Pet
Ensure that your cats and dogs have collars or identification tags that will help others trace them back to you. Leave your phone number on a pet’s tag. Doing this will increase your chances of reuniting with your pets should they get lost or separated from you. Microchipping is another option in case you can’t tag your pet or the tag gets lost for some reason.
Always Take Your Pet During Evacuation
Remember that if a place isn’t safe for you, then it’s not safe for your pets. Because you don’t know how long you’ll be away from your home, you may not be able to return for your pets. A pet that’s left behind in a disaster can become lost, injured, or killed. Be sure to make plans for every pet.
It also helps to evacuate early when you have pets. Unfortunately, those who wait to be evacuated by emergency officials may be told to leave pets behind to make room for more people. Pet-friendly shelters can also fill up quickly. Furthermore, the sound of thunder, high winds, and the smell of smoke may make pets afraid, making it difficult to load them into a carrier or crate. Getting out before conditions become severe will help to keep everyone safer and the situation less stressful.
Seniors and Disabled
Apart from the recommendations made above, there are various items specific for our elderly and disabled family members which also need to be included in your kit. These items include:
- Medications
- Medical Equipment such as:
- Batteries for hearing aids
- Spare pairs of glasses
- Spare dentures
- Spare oxygen tanks
- Equipment for monitoring blood sugar and blood pressure
- Medical Documents such as:
- Basic information like your blood type, any allergies you have, and a list of any conditions
- An outline of the treatments needed
- Information about medical equipment needs
- A list of prescriptions along with the dosages
- A list of contact information for physicians
- Copies of Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurance information
- Documentation for service animals if applicable
Young Children
Older kids understand what’s going on and can pitch in to help. But what about the littlest ones? Having babies and toddlers adds to your storm preparations. Running out of baby formula or diapers can be stressful for parents, and the little ones feel our stress. If you have small children, include in your plans:
- A week of baby formula, snacks, or baby food
- Extra diapers and baby wipes
- Portable crib
- Baby toys
- Comfort items and their favorite toys
- Children’s medicines
- Portable stroller or backpack
- Extra time if evacuating
Landscaping to Protect Your House
There’s no doubt that preparing your home ahead of strong winds and high waters can be difficult; there are a few things that you can do to minimize the damage. Some are just all-round smart choices for your yard and environment.
- Choose salt-tolerant greenery, especially if you live near the coast.
- Plant the right trees in the right location
- Pruning your plants properly each season
- Use soft mulch
- Removing storm hazards like yard chairs and umbrellas
Before You Evacuate
Your home may be in a mandatory evacuation zone or you may voluntarily choose to leave for personal reasons. In that case, you’ll need to make preparations for yourself and your home before heading to your storm shelter.
Packing to Evacuate
The one positive aspect of tropical storms is you usually have a few days’ lead time to start the process of packing and preparing to go. Since you won’t be staying, your emergency kit will look a little different. Depending on evacuation plans, what you bring may also be different. A general plan is to pack:
- Several days of clothes for each family member. Five days is a good place to start.
- Toiletries for all family members
- Medications
- All vital cards (credit, driver’s license, health insurance, etc)
- Vital documents (birth certificates, wills, passports, pet vaccination records, car registrations, etc)
- Valuable belongings that can travel (Heirloom jewelry, family photos, et al)
- Cash (loss of power may prevent ATM and credit cards from working if you need to buy gas or supplies)
- Fully fueled vehicle (and perhaps an extra gas can)
- Laptops, cellphones, and chargers
- Paper maps of evacuation routes
- A supply of water and non-perishable food for at least 3 days per person.
- Travel games and kids toys
- Travel blankets or pillows
- First aid kit
- Five days’ supplies for pets
Depending on the storm’s severity and the environment around your home, you may wish to pack supplies that may help return to your home, like a basic tool set, an axe, or a chainsaw. People also have found it helpful to pack spare essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, portable camp stoves, and fuel. Some bring camping chairs, a tent, and a sleeping bag just in case they can’t find accommodations. And they prepare for storm clean-up when they get back by packing work clothes, gloves, and safety masks. For southern states, throw in sunscreen and bug repellent.
Securing Your Home
While packing for yourself, you’ll also need to prepare your home to weather the storm while you are not there.
- In a potential flood zone? Move any vehicles you’re not taking to higher ground. Bring the keys and their ownership documents with you just in case.
- Move any valuables or items that could be ruined as high as you can in the home.
- Secure all outside furniture and decorations so they don’t become projectiles.
- Cut any hanging or dead branches high winds could cause to snap off.
- Back up your documents and pictures electronically to a cloud host or email them to yourself.
- Unplug all appliances, including your televisions. Some local guidelines may let you leave refrigerators or freezers plugged in, but not in a flood zone.
- If in a zone with a high saltwater flood potential, officials may suggest turning off the power.
- Turn off the gas to individual appliances.
- Turn off any automated sprinkler systems.
- Close and seal any doors or windows. For flood zones, also seal off all exterior openings like dryer vents, fireplace dampers, or utility access panels.
- Fill up your evacuation vehicle’s gas tank to full. The earlier, the better.
- Locks all doors and windows.
- Install storm shutters and sandbags.
Please wait until you hear the official all-clear before you return to your neighborhood. Officials need time to assess the damage. Your community could have trees across the road, downed power lines, or washed away roads that need to be removed before you can access your home.
The earlier you evacuate, the easier it will be for you and your family. As the storm’s anticipated landfall grows closer, supplies become more scarce, roads more crowded, and hotels booked. Remember–you don’t always need to go too far to find safety.
Preparing Your Business for a Hurricane
Understandably, the fear of incurring huge financial costs when rebuilding your business after a hurricane is enough to stress anyone. However, if you plan ahead, you will be better positioned to recover and keep your operation going. Here’s a step-by-step process to protect your business from emergencies like hurricanes. You may also check a more comprehensive list here.
- Assess your risk.
- Create a plan.
- Practice your plan with staff.
- Execute your plan.
- Get financial assistance.
Getting Back to Business
There are many steps to the business or organization reopening process, but this can be done easily if you’ve prepared accordingly. Here’s what to do after the hurricane has passed to get back up and running.
- Contact your insurance provider and file your claim.
- Register with FEMA.
- Look into local state business counsels to see if they have post-storm support centers.
- Speak to a business counselor.
- Apply for a business recovery loan.
- Consider filing for unemployment claims and benefits.
Evacuation Routes
Major highways and interstates can accommodate heavy amounts of traffic, but even they get jammed when major evacuation orders are issued. That’s why it’s helpful to know your evacuation routes ahead of them and some alternative routes. In Florida, emergency officials already have plans to open interstate shoulders and reverse lanes as a way of helping evacuate its residents.
Just note that when evacuating, earlier is always better. Gas stations can run out of fuel, and hotels book up as the traveler numbers swell ahead of a storm. Hours-long journeys can become even longer. Also, consider how far you really need to go to get to safety. Sometimes, an hour’s drive is all you need to be in a safer area with minimal impacts.
Refer to these evacuation maps for various coastal states:
- New York
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Virginia
Shelters
When a hurricane is present, shelters around the state open up to offer a safe area for those who wish to evacuate but stay close to home. Not all possible storm shelters may open during a storm. It depends on that shelter’s storm risk, the estimated potential of evacuees, and storm path.
The link above can also direct you towards where shelters are located, but your best bet is your county’s emergency management department. They have a list of possible shelters. Shelter lists should also designate if they are pet-friendly or can accommodate special medical needs.
Furthermore, federal assistance for individuals will become available if the federal government declares a disaster. Survivors with damaged homes may be eligible for:
- FEMA housing solutions
- Rental Assistance
- Transitional Sheltering Assistance
- Home Repairs
- Direct Temporary Housing
Making Your Way Back Home
After the storm has passed, don’t immediately rush home. Some areas may be inaccessible even after evacuation orders are no longer in place. Do the following:
- Always follow official directions.
- Stay vigilant in your surroundings.
- Carefully inspect your home and the immediate area.
- Dispose of debris from the storm following official guidelines.
- Assess if the water in your home can be used and consumed safely.
Preparing For A Hurricane
Going through a catastrophe like a hurricane is not easy. If you follow the steps and advice above, you should be able to navigate the storm relatively unscathed. Be sure to account for everything and everyone (including pets) in your home. Keep an organized and complete list of all your belongings, and ensure you have a copy of everything necessary. Preparing well in advance for a hurricane will keep everyone safe and reduce stress and panic.
Hurricane Facts
A list of the top ten states by hurricane landfalls.
1. Florida
Since record-keeping began in 1851, 124 hurricanes have hit Florida. At this point, all of state’s coastline has experienced a hit from at least one storm since then. Over 40 of these registered as Category 3 or higher. Category 3 Hurricane Milton in 2024 was the last major hurricane to land in the Sunshine State. However, two weeks before Milton, Category 4 Hurricane Helene also roared on shore.
2. Texas
Since 1851, the Lone Star State has been struck by hurricanes 65 times, with 19 of those registered as Category 3 or higher. Hurricane Beryl was the last hurricane making landfall in the state as of July 2024.
3. Louisiana
Since Louisiana is next to Texas, it also experiences a share of hurricanes. With less coastline, its totals are less than those of its neighbor, but not by much. Since official record-keeping began, the state has recorded a total of 64 hurricanes, with the most recent being Hurricane Francine during September 2024.
4. North Carolina
In the past 170 years, North Carolina has experienced 58 hurricanes. However, only seven of them were classified as Category 3 or higher. The last hurricane to make landfall here was Hurricane Isaias.
5. South Carolina
This state has come face to face with 32 hurricanes since 1851. And while Hurricane Dorian never made it to the mainland, its winds and rain did impact South Carolina in 2019. Hurricane Ian was the last to make landfall, a category 1 in 2022.
6. Alabama
Since the mid-1800s, Alabama has witnessed 23 hurricanes come ashore. However, only five of these were Category 3 or higher. While tropical storms have struck the state in recent years, the last hurricane to leave a devastating impact was Katrina.
7. Georgia
According to records, the Peach State has seen 21 hurricanes come ashore. Hurricane Michael was the last hurricane to directly hit Georgia, which brought wind gusts as fast as 115 mph aligned with a deluge of rain in 2018.
8. New York
While New York is far north, it still can be the target of hurricanes. Since 1851, a total of 15 hurricanes have struck the state. Even more surprising is that three of these were Category 3 or higher. Hurricane Sandy was the most severe, causing damages amounting to billions of dollars and killing almost 50 people in 2012.
9. Mississippi
In the past 170 years, 14 hurricanes have struck Mississippi, but only six were classified as Category 3 or higher. The last hurricane to have a significant impact on the state was Hurricane Zeta in October 2020.
10. Virginia
Since the mid-1800s, 13 hurricanes have left their mark on Virginia, but none have been a Category 3 or higher. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 created the most damage, but 2004’s Hurricane Gaston was the last to make landfall.
Note that these numbers only count landfalls. They don’t include the paths of these storms, which spread into other states and can cause devasting damage well inland. Hurricane Helene is a prime example of this. While Florida’s big bend region bore the brunt of its category 4 winds and storm surge, Helene was still a category 1 & 2 hurricane when its eye passed through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Its flooding washed away whole communities hundreds of miles from the coast.
Any Gulf Coast or Atlantic Seaboard state can experience billions in damage from tropical systems. Even Maine has recorded three hurricane landfalls.
History on Hurricanes
Historically, the autumn months have been known as the peak of hurricane season, where 60% of all hurricanes occur during September and October. Some of the most devastating hurricanes have occurred during this time. They feed on the warm ocean waters, whose temperatures are peaking around this time.
The deadliest hurricane decimated Galveston in September 1900. The unnamed storm, known as the “Great Galveston Hurricane,” killed an estimated 8,000 people, and possibly more.
The most intense storm was the Florida Keys Hurricane of 1935, which recorded 892 mb. The lower a hurricane’s millibars of pressure, the stronger the storm. Hurricane Wilma is the strongest ever recorded, at 882mb, although it weakened before landfall.
The strongest as measured by one-minute sustained wind speed was Hurricane Allen in 1980. Its peak sustained speed hit a whopping 190mph. It weakened before making landfall at the Texas-Mexico border.
The Year 2020 record the most storms in a single year. The Atlantic churned out 30 tropical storms and 14 hurricanes with seven classified as major. However, 2005 had most hurricanes, at 15 with 7 classified as category 3 and above.
Tropical Storm Zeta existed in two calendar years, 2005 and 2006, showing storms can form in December.
Hurricane Milton in 2024 set a new bar for rapid intensification, moving from a disorganized tropical depression to a Category 5 hurricane within 48 hours, 55 minutes. It’s the reason why meteorologists encourage early preparation.
Hurricane Sandy in 2012 was the largest storm, measuring a whopping 1,150 miles in diameter. The entire state of Texas could hide under its cloud cover.
*Damage totals for Hurricane Helene were unclear as of drafting. Officials estimated $53 billion.
Updated November 2024
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Preston Guyton
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