The Safir Simpson Scale and How to Prepare for Hurricanes
Hurricanes, the most violent storms known to man. Each
year from June 1st to November 30th is known as
hurricane season. Hurricanes usually form just off the coast of Africa, but sometime if the water temperature is warm enough, about eighty degrees or so a hurricane can develop just off the coast of the U. S. and Carribean. Hurricanes begin as tropical depressions (thunder storms) If the thunder storm lingers in the ocean and the winds pick up speed to 40 mph it becomes a tropical storm, Then The National Weather Service will issue a name for the storm from a list of names that they have available for that year. The list usually comes out in late May. Just before the start of hurricane season. However, at this point the tropical storm can either strengthen and become a hurricane and threaten any land mass of in its path. Or it can diminish in strength and fall apart. It all depends on the warmth and moisture in the water and air to keep it going. When the winds in a tropical storm pick up anywhere from 74-95 mph it classifies as a category one hurricane. This kind of hurricane does no real damage to anything except blow around some trees and shrub. Some power outages. A category two hurricane is where the wind speed has picked up anywhere from 96-110 mph. At this point there will be some minor damage done to buildings such as blowing off some shingles on houses and uprooting some shrubs as well as knocking down some trees. Power lines are brought down. A Category three hurricane is when the wind speed increases from 111-130 mph. There will be some kind of structural damage done to homes. As well as major destruction done to mobile homes. Coastal flooding and destruction of docks and piers as well as beach erosion. A category four hurricane is when the wind increases from 131-155 mph. Extensive damage is done to homes such as roof damage and complete and total destruction of mobile homes. A category five hurricane is the most powerful of all hurricane with winds exceeding 155 mph. There will be total and complete destruction of all properties. Now that we know how the wind speeds and the damage they could cause what about how you can be prepared? You can prepare for a hurricane in several ways. 1. Food. Stock up on anything that is non perishable. Such as dried cereals, chips, trail mix, canned goods and plenty of bottled water for both drinking and bathing. Get at least a weeks worth for you and your family. Ice for you cooler. You will need it to keep your drinks cold. You will also need an additional cooler with ice for your perishable items such as meats and frozen vegetables, anything that is in your refrigerator. Most importantly refill all of your medications. 2. Have batteries, flash lights, candles, radio, matches, first aid kits, generator if you can afford one incase of lost power. Also have readily available paper goods such as paper plates, cups, toilet paper, and don't forget to get the diapers if you have a baby. 3. Secure your home. Yes, even though there will be damage done to your home, if you board up your windows and try to secure your garage door you may stand a chance at saving your home from major damage or total destruction. Once a garage door or there is torn off and there is some kind of ventilation the winds of the hurricane can lift up the roof causing total destruction of your home. 4. If you have no place to seek shelter from the storm and you have to stay in your own home, find an interior room of your home with no windows and stay there until the storm is over. This is the safest room in the house. If you are leaving for a shelter and you have pets, please do not leave your pets at home alone. They too become scared of the storm. Take them to a kennel or an animal hospital where they can be safe. After the storm has ended do not attempt to leave your home or shelter until it is safe to go out. More people die after a hurricane than during one.