Florida Hurricanes

Moving To Florida

Florida Hurricanes

If You Live Or Visit Florida, You Are Near The Ocean!

Florida Hurricanes

No point in the state is more than 80 miles away from either the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean. Over 13 million people live in coastal counties! Florida receives more than its fair share of severe weather. Since the 1970s, Florida has been hit by more tropical storms and hurricanes than any other state. Since 1990, Florida has been hit directly by 22 tropical storms and hurricanes. So if you are going to Florida you MUST be prepared.

Each year, an average of eleven tropical storms develop over the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Many of these remain over the ocean and never affect the U.S. coastline. On average six of these storms become hurricanes annually. In an average 3-year period, roughly five hurricanes strike the US coastline, killing approximately 50 to 100 people anywhere from Texas to Maine. Of these, two are typically "major" or "intense" hurricanes based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. This scale categorizes hurricanes according to the strength of their winds.

What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher.

Hurricane Threats

The greatest potential for loss of life related to a hurricane is from the storm surge.
Storm surge is simply water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase the mean water level 15 feet or more.

To boot, wind driven waves are superimposed on the storm tide. This rise in water level can cause severe flooding in coastal areas, especially when the storm tide coincides with the normal high tides. As much of Floridas densely populated Atlantic and Gulf Coast coastlines lie less than 10 feet above mean sea level, the danger from storm tides is tenfold.
Hurricane-force winds will easily destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Debris such as signs, roofing material, and small items left outside become flying missiles in hurricanes. Extensive damage to trees, towers, water and underground utility lines (from uprooted trees), and fallen poles causes considerable disruption.

High-rise buildings are also vulnerable to hurricane-force winds, particularly at the higher levels since wind speed tends to increase with height. Recent research suggests you should stay below the tenth floor, but still above any floors at risk for flooding. It is not uncommon for high-rise buildings to suffer a great deal of damage due to windows being blown out. Consequently, the areas around these buildings can be very dangerous.
Hurricanes can also produce tornadoes that add to the storm's destructive power.Florida has two Tornado Seasons.
- The Summer Season, from June until September has the highest frequencies with usual intensities of F0 or F1on the Fujita Scale. This includes those tornadoes that form from land-falling Tropical Cyclones.
- The Deadly Spring Season, from February through April is characterized by more powerful tornadoes because of the presence of the the jet stream. When the jet stream digs south into Florida and is accompanied by a strong cold front and a strong squall line of thunderstorms, the jet stream’s high level winds of 100 to 200 mph often strengthen a thunderstorm into what meteorologists call a supercell or mesocyclone. These powerful storms can move at speeds of 30 to 50 mph, produce dangerous winds, large hail and the most deadly tornadoes.
What Time Are Florida's Tornadoes Likely to Strike?
Florida tornado climatology shows us that strong to violent tornadoes are just as likely to occur after midnight as they are in the afternoon. This threatening feature makes tornadoes more dangerous, because most people are asleep after midnight and cannot receive weather warnings relayed by radio or television stations.
In the 1970s, '80s, and '90s, inland flooding was responsible for more than half of the deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the United States.While storm surge is always a potential threat, more people have died from inland flooding from 1970 up to 2000.

When is The Florida Hurricane Season?

The hurricane season in Florida runs from the beginning of June to the end of November with mid August to mid October being the height of the season.

Hurricane Safety Tips

When you hear hurricane, think inland flooding.
Determine whether you live or are visiting in a potential flood zone or evacuation area, see the list of Florida County Emergency Management Websites below and visit here for more info on Florida floods.
Move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood water.
Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
Have a written plan based on this knowledge.
At the beginning of hurricane season (June 1st), check your supplies, replace batteries and use food stocks on a rotating basis.
During hurricane season, monitor the tropics.
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio and keep abreast of road conditions through the news media..
If a storm threatens, heed the advice from local authorities. Evacuate if ordered.
Do not attempt to cross flowing water. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
Execute your family hurricane plan.
Have flood insurance. Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check your policy.

WATCH vs. WARNING - KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

HURRICANE WATCH- issued for your part of the coast indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours.
This watch should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc.
HURRICANE WARNING- issued for your part of the coast indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours or less.
Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

Have A Place To Go

Develop a family hurricane plan before an actual storm threatens your area. If your family hurricane plan includes evacuation to a safer location, then it is important to consider the following points:

If ordered to evacuate, do not wait or delay your departure.
If possible, leave before local officials issue an evacuation order for your area. Even a slight delay in starting your evacuation will result in significantly longer travel times as traffic congestion worsens.
Select an evacuation destination that is nearest to your home, preferably in the same county, or at least minimize the distance over which you must travel in order to reach your intended shelter location.
In choosing your destination, keep in mind that the hotels and other sheltering options in most inland metropolitan areas are likely to be filled very quickly in a large, multi-county hurricane evacuation event.
If you decide to evacuate to another county or region, be prepared to wait in traffic.
The large number of people in Florida who must evacuate during a hurricane will probably cause massive delays and major congestion along most designated evacuation routes; the larger the storm, the greater the probability of traffic jams and extended travel times.
If possible, make arrangements to stay with the friend or relative who resides closest to your home and who will not have to evacuate. Discuss with your intended host the details of your family evacuation plan well before the beginning of the hurricane season.
If a hotel or motel is your final intended destination during an evacuation, make reservations before you leave.
Most hotel and motels will fill quickly once evacuations begin. The longer you wait to make reservations, even if an official evacuation order has not been issued for your area or county, the less likely you are to find hotel/motel room vacancies, especially along interstate highways and in major metropolitan areas.
If you are unable to stay with friends or family and no hotels/motels rooms are available, then as a last resort go to a shelter.
Remember, shelters are not designed for comfort and do not usually accept pets. Bring your hurricane supply kit with you to the shelter. Find Pet-Friendly hotels and motels.
Make sure that you fill up your car with fuel, before you leave.

Remember do not be complacent if you are only visiting Florida...Hurricanes can kill!