The annual hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30, with the more intense storms traditionally making landfall in Florida between August and October. However, as recent seasons have shown, nothing about these storms is predictable.
The City encourages all of its residents to protect their families in the event of a hurricane by establishing and following an emergency plan.
Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but cannot always reach everyone right away. The best way to make sure you and your family remain safe is to be prepared before disaster strikes.
If you're not familiar with hurricane terminology, here is a list of terms you'll hear often during the next several months. Familiarize yourself with their meanings, and know how to react when you hear them.
Tropical Storm Watch A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours. Residents should remain informed. Listen to advisories from the National Hurricane Center via NOAA Weather Radio, local TV or local radio for official bulletins of the storm's progress. Remember a tropical storm can quickly escalate in strength. They often bring intense rain and heavy localized flooding.
Tropical Storm Warning A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 hours. If a tropical storm warning is issued, continue to monitor to advisories from the National Hurricane Center via NOAA Weather Radio, local TV or local radio for official bulletins of the storm's progress.
Hurricane Watch A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours. When a hurricane watch is issued, you should:
Listen to advisories from the National Hurricane Center via NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information.
Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.
Fill your car's gas tank.
Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications. Make sure you have all of the checklist items you need to comfortably ride out a storm.
Hurricane Warning A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours. When a hurricane warning is issued, you should:
Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
Complete preparation activities. If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
What to Expect if a Tropical System Hits
Tropical depressions and storms are organized systems of clouds and thunderstorms with defined surface circulations. In a tropical depression, winds will not exceed 38 miles per hour. Winds in a tropical storm do not exceed 73 miles per hour. However, these systems should be taken seriously. They can bring heavy rain and localized flooding, making driving dangerous. Also, they can quickly intensify in strength into a hurricane.
Once a tropical system's winds reach 74 miles per hour, the storm becomes a hurricane. Hurricane Strength is measured from 1 to 5 on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale.
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Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
Category 5
Amount of Expected Damage
Minimal. Damage to shrubs, trees and mobile
homes. Little or no building damage. May see some coastal flooding
Moderate. Some damage to roofs, windows and
doors. Downed trees and signs. Considerable damage to vegetation
and mobile homes.
Extensive. Some structural damage to residences
and buildings. Major damage to mobile homes, trees, vegetation
and signage. Coastal flooding.
Extreme. Major damage to some buildings. Mobile
homes destroyed. Inland flooding possible.
Catastrophic. Major roof and structure failures
on many residences. Some complete building failures. Major flooding.
