Tornadoes

Hurricanes

Season

April – July

June -November; most active August and September

Areas at Most Risk

Southeast U.S., Central/Southern plains F2 and greater.

Gulf states, Eastern seaboard.

General

Frequency

1000 per year.

6 storms a year.

Dangers

Flying debris, speed of development gives little warning, incredible damage, loss of property.

Heavy rains/flooding, wind damage, storm surge, tornadoes, inability to escape, loss of property, utilities.

Intensity

Rating

Enhanced Fujita Scale:

0 = 65-85 mph 3 second gust

1= 86-110 mph 3 second gust

2=111-135 mph

3=136-165 mph

4=166-200 mph

5=over 200 mph

Saffir/Simpson Scale: 1=74-95 mph. Storm surge-4-5 ft.

2=96-110 mph. Surge- 6-8 ft. (average ceiling height 8 feet)

3=111-130 mph. Surge – 9-12 ft.

4=131-155 mph. Surge-13-18 ft.

5=>155 mph. Surge-> 18 ft.

Damage

F0=Light damage-chimneys damaged, tree branches broken.

F1=Moderate damage-roof surfaces peeled off, windows broken, unanchored mobile homes overturned, attached garages may be destroyed.

F2=Considerable damage – roofs damaged, mobile homes destroyed, airborne debris, trees snapped or uprooted.

F3=Severe damage-roofs and some walls torn from structures, small buildings and non-reinforced masonry buildings destroyed, trees uprooted.

F4=Devastating damage=houses destroyed, some structures lifted off foundations and blown some distance, cars blown some distance, large debris airborne.

F5=Incredible damage-trees debarked, automobile sized debris airborne, reinforced concrete structures damaged, strong frame houses lifted from foundations.

1=Minimal damage.

2=Moderate damage – Major damage to shrubs, foliage, some trees blown down. Major mobile home damage. Damage to roofs, windows, doors. Coastal roads/low escape routes flooded 2-4 hours before storm. Pier damage, marinas flooded. Evacuation of some low lying islands and shoreline residents.

3=Extensive damage-Large trees, some signs down. Structural damage to small buildings, homes; mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast, waves/debris damage large, destroy small structures. Roads cut off 3-5 hours before storm, flat terrain <5 feet above sea level flooded inland 8 miles or more. Local evacuations occur.

4=Extreme damage – Trees, all signs down. Structural damage severe. Complete failure of some roofs. Flat terrain < 10 feet above sea level flooded 6 miles inland. Major damage to lower levels of structures near shore. Roads cut off 3-5 hours before storm. Major beach erosion, all residences within 500 yards, single story homes on low ground within 2 miles of shore evacuated.

5= Catastrophic damage- Roof/window/door damage/ complete failure. Small buildings fail, some overturned, mobile homes destroyed. Major damage to lower floors of all structures < 15 ft. above sea level and within 500 yds. Roads cut off 3-5 hours before storm. Major erosion. Evacuations within 5-10 miles of shore.

Safety Measures/ Preparedness

Secure= Secure home-insulate pipes, close or board windows, turn off gas and appliances if evacuating. Have or obtain emergency supplies – food and water for three days per person, prescriptions, clothes, flashlights, batteries, cell phone, radio, blankets. Include water, food, and clean up items for your pets.

Remove=loose objects from yard, dead limbs. Remove items from floor in threat of high water. Important documents-take with you-insurance policies, wills, deeds, identification, medical cards. Take pet records too; vaccination records, photo of you and pet in case you get separated.

Respond=to evacuation notices, directions of emergency personnel. Follow family emergency plan. Have a weather alert app (FEMA and NOAA provide free apps).

Secure= Secure home- board windows, turn off gas and appliances if evacuating. Have or obtain emergency supplies – food and water for three days per person, prescriptions, clothes, flashlights, batteries, cell phone, radio, blankets. Include water, food, and clean up items for your pets.

Remove=loose objects from yard, dead limbs. Remove items from floor in case of high water. Important documents-take with you-insurance policies, wills, deeds, identification, medical cards. Take pet records too; vaccination records, photo of you and pet in case you get separated.

Respond=to evacuation notices, directions of emergency personnel. Follow family emergency plan. Have a weather alert app (FEMA and NOAA provide free apps).

Home

Safety

Inside-stay away from windows, corners (debris collects there) get to small interior room on lowest level of house.

Have protective coverings (mattress, heavy blankets) stored nearby. Be aware of where heavy objects are on the floor above you and do not go under them.

Mobile Home – get out. You are safer outside if you can't get to a safe shelter – lay flat on low ground away from home, protect head.

Remove any loose items from around home; plants, trash cans, picnic tables, etc. close storm shutters or secure 1/2 inch plywood boards over windows. Tape will not prevent the windows from being blown in.

Keep trees trimmed of dead limbs, and trimmed so wind can pass through them. Become familiar with shelters/evacuations routes; if evacuating, take medications, food, clothes, maps, documents – license, insurance policy, deeds, etc. Have 3 gallons of water per person.

Make arrangements for pets- shelters may not be able to take them. Secure house-remove items from floors susceptible to water damage. Consider hurricane straps for the roof, retrofit or strengthen garage door.

Auto Safety

If in a vehicle, get out of vehicle and inside a building; do not stay in auto. If can't, get in ditch or behind building.

Do NOT get under an overpass-tornadoes may suck you out.

Do not drive into standing water; the road underneath may be missing, your vehicle may be swept away by the force of water. Two feet of water can float most vehicles, even SUV's.

If caught, get out of car and go to higher ground.

In the Open Safety

Lie flat in a ditch or other low point in the ground; cover head with arms.

Get to shelter, avoid standing water, watch for downed power lines.

You can be knocked off your feet by six inches of rapid water.

Equipment

flashlight/batteries, battery operated radio, first aid kit, food/water, manual can opener, medicines, cash/credit cards, sturdy shoes. If evacuating with your pet, have vaccination records with you, carrier, leash and muzzle. Frightened animals can at times be more aggressive. Have charged phone with FEMA and NOAA apps and 911 on speed dial.

flashlight/batteries, battery operated radio, first aid kit, food/water, portable generator, manual can opener, medicines, cash/credit cards, sturdy shoes. Purification tablets or bleach for other sources of water. If evacuating with your pet, have vaccination records with you, carrier, leash and muzzle. Frightened animals can at times be more aggressive. Have charged phone with FEMA and NOAA apps and 911 on speed dial.

Resources

disastercenter.com https://www.ready.gov/ disastersafety.org noaa.gov, http://www.nws.noaa.gov/largemap.php; NOAA has a general weather warning app. FEMA app helps prepare, alert, and get resources

https://www.ready.gov/ floodsmart.gov-info on to what risk is by address, map, how to read flood map, view flood maps noaa.gov, http://www.nws.noaa.gov/largemap.php, redcross.org disastersafety.org www.nhc.noaa.gov NOAA has a general weather warning app.

Coverages

Power failure excluded if failure takes place off of premises.

Landslide, mudslide, mudflow excluded for dwelling coverage.

Water damage excluded -flood, surface water, waves, tidal water, overflow of body of water.

Mold, fungus wet rot excluded unless hidden from view and caused by accidental discharge or overflow as defined in policy.

Power failure excluded if failure takes place off of premises.

Flood Insurance may be obtained separately through NFIP.