A hurricane is a storm that forms over warm ocean waters. These powerful storms have classifications called hurricane categories. These levels from 1-5 indicate how severe the storm will be. So today—you guessed it… we will be discussing hurricane categories and breaking them down for you!
What Is a Hurricane?
A hurricane (as I mentioned above) is a powerful weather event that forms over subtropical or tropical waters. When hurricanes occur, they bring heavy winds, tons of rain, and sometimes even hail! Additionally, there are varied hurricane seasons for different regions of the world, but preparation is important year-round just in case a hurricane hits your area!
How Does a Hurricane Form?
Hurricanes form when warm water and humidity meet over ocean waters. When this happens, something called the “Coriolis Effect” occurs. Consequently, the earth’s rotation is causing air and water to move to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and the left in the Southern Hemisphere. For a hurricane to form, the Coriolis Effect must take place.
Combine this with low wind shear (the speed and altitude that wind moves) and you have yourself a tropical disturbance (a group of thunderstorms). The tropical disturbance will form into a hurricane as the system intensifies. Finally, once a storm has 74MPH winds, it is classified as a hurricane.
Hurricane Categories: A Breakdown
Hurricane categories classify the intensity of a hurricane. These levels let everyone know the storm’s severity and how much damage may occur in the aftermath. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) determines a hurricane’s category using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Typically, these scales range from 1-5, with 1 being minimal damage and 5 being catastrophic damage and possible loss of homes or lives.
Hurricane Levels
Category 1: This category indicates minimal damage, with some roof and siding harm, and some trees down. Also, power outages are likely in category 1. Wind speeds = 74-95mph (119-153km/hr)
Category 2: In category 2, homes are damaged, with major roof damage and siding issues. In addition, trees will be downed and there will be lots of power outages. Wind speeds = 96-110mph (154-177km/hr)
Category 3 (Major Hurricane): When a hurricane hits and it’s a category 3, it will cause extensive damage to homes. Downed trees will block the roadways and long-term power outages are likely. Wind speed = 111-129mph (178-208km/hr)
Category 4 (Major Hurricane): This hurricane causes severe damage to homes, with roofs and walls being destroyed. Blocked roadways, debris, and flooding may isolate some areas. Wind speed = 130-156mph (209-251km/hr)
Category 5 (Major Hurricane): The highest level of damage, with most homes destroyed. Therefore, power poles and fallen trees will isolate communities and cause potential inhabitable conditions for residents. Wind Speed = 157mph or higher (252km/hr or higher)
Hurricane Watches & Warnings
To warn the public of a hurricane coming to their area, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) will issue either a hurricane watch or a hurricane warning. Both of these announcements allow residents and law enforcement to prepare for the incoming weather.
Hurricane Watch
Hurricane watches are warnings that indicate a storm could hit a specific area in the next 48 hours. Basically, this warning means that a hurricane is possible in your area. Therefore, this is the time to pay attention to any changes in the weather forecast and start making preparations, just in case.
Some details included in a hurricane watch: location, timing, potential impact, and precautions you should take if you’re in the area.
Hurricane Warning
When a hurricane warning is issued by the NHC, this means that a hurricane is expected to hit your area. Typically, these warnings are usually issued 36 hours in advance of a storm (if possible). When a watch becomes a warning, this is the time to take cover and wait for the storm to pass.
Details (usually) listed in a hurricane warning: location, timing, expected conditions, possible damage and dangers, and safety precautions.
Also, a good way to remember the difference between hurricane watches and warnings is hurricane watches mean that hurricanes are possible in the area. Hurricane warnings indicate that a hurricane is expected in the area, it probably will happen. Warnings are imminent and watches are not.
Preparing for a Hurricane
What good is an article about hurricanes without some safety tips? Of course, emergency preparedness is always on our minds here at Personal Safety School and we have some useful tidbits for you, as always!
Hurricane Preparation Tips
- Prepare an area in your home (preferably without windows) for your family to gather in. If you’re lucky, you may already have a safe room!
- Have a plan: Get together with your loved ones and plan to meet somewhere safe, discuss evacuation, and how you plan to handle it, and check on your loved ones.
- Build an emergency preparedness kit with water, food, a First Aid kit, flashlights, batteries, toilet paper, entertainment like books and puzzles
- Stock up on any required supplies
- Keep everyone’s documents in the same spot for easy access.
- Save for and purchase a generator and crank radio. You can get a nice solar-powered crank radio on Amazon for a good price! I bought my husband and father one of these, and they love it. Also, don’t wait until a hurricane warning, because prices rise quickly after that!
- Reinforce windows and doors
- Trim any tree limbs and clear debris from your property
- Move lawn furniture, planters, and decor inside or into your garage
- Review your plans for evacuations, make sure your pets are inside, and run practice drills with your family
Remember to remind your loved ones that these preparations are to keep everyone safe and not to frighten them. Stay calm, especially if there are children in your home. Make practice drills as fun as you can. Remember, hope for the best and prep for the worst!
Understanding Hurricane Categories Is Crucial
Hurricane categories let us know how severe a hurricane will be when it hits our area. Staying informed, knowing what these categories mean, and being aware is crucial. The hurricane seasons are becoming more intense as time goes on, so we may see more of these dangerous storms in the future!
Be aware, and stay safe!
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