What is a Hurricane?
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According to the NOAA, "hurricanes are one of nature’s most powerful storms. They produce strong winds, storm surge flooding, and heavy rainfall that can lead to inland flooding, tornadoes, and rip currents... Hurricanes, known generically as tropical cyclones, are low-pressure systems with organized thunderstorm activity that form over tropical or subtropical waters. They gain their energy from warm ocean waters"
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based only on a hurricane's maximum sustained wind speed. This scale does not take into account other potentially deadly hazards such as storm surge, rainfall flooding, and tornadoes. The scale was developed in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson, who at the time was director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale estimates potential property damage. While all hurricanes produce life-threatening winds, hurricanes rated Category 3 and higher are known as major hurricanes*. Major hurricanes can cause devastating to catastrophic wind damage and significant loss of life simply due to the strength of their winds. Hurricanes of all categories can produce deadly storm surge, rain-induced floods, and tornadoes. These hazards require people to take protective action, including evacuating from areas vulnerable to storm surge.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale estimates potential property damage. While all hurricanes produce life-threatening winds, hurricanes rated Category 3 and higher are known as major hurricanes*. Major hurricanes can cause devastating to catastrophic wind damage and significant loss of life simply due to the strength of their winds. Hurricanes of all categories can produce deadly storm surge, rain-induced floods, and tornadoes. These hazards require people to take protective action, including evacuating from areas vulnerable to storm surge.
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Naming Hurricanes
Time magazine reports, that every year, tropical storms tracked by the National Hurricane Center are given a specific name when they reach the speed of 39 mph. (They retain that name if, or when, their speed is tracking to hurricane levels.)
According to the National Hurricane Center, hurricanes are named to streamline messaging and communications. Short, distinctive names are more easily identifiable, and also cause less confusion when sharing important information across weather stations, and with the media and the general public about a storm’s tracking, path and predicted impact.
The National Hurricane Center began formally naming storms in 1950. At first they were named from a phonetic alphabet (Able, Baker, Charlie, and so on), but this method was changed in 1953 in favor of using alphabetized female names. This practice had previously been used during World War II.
According to the National Hurricane Center, hurricanes are named to streamline messaging and communications. Short, distinctive names are more easily identifiable, and also cause less confusion when sharing important information across weather stations, and with the media and the general public about a storm’s tracking, path and predicted impact.
The National Hurricane Center began formally naming storms in 1950. At first they were named from a phonetic alphabet (Able, Baker, Charlie, and so on), but this method was changed in 1953 in favor of using alphabetized female names. This practice had previously been used during World War II.
Preparing for a Hurricane
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following should be considered when preparing for a hurricane or other tropical storm
- Make a Plan
- Gather emergency supplies
- Know the difference between a hurricane “watch” and “warning.”
- Get your car ready
- Get your family and pets ready
- Be ready to evacuate or stay at home