HURRICANE - A hurricane is a tropical cyclone in which the maximum average wind speed near a centre or eye exceeds 74 mph or 119 Km/h.
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Official Hurricane Warning Systems

Advisories

The terminology may differ from country to country, but an advisory or bulletin is a message issued by the authorities warning about the formation of a tropical cyclone, and providing information on its development.


The local Meteorological Service, in association with the National Disaster Organization, issues advisories, watches and warnings. These are broadcast via the local or national TV or radio stations. The only accurate and authoritative source of information is your local met office. Do not trust other sources! The National Hurricane Centre will issue a forecast of the broader picture but the local meteorologist must forecast for his/her area. The local meteorologist is the only one with the authority to issue a watch or warning in your country. These are usually issued at 0600hrs (6am), 1200 (Noon), 1800 (6pm) and 0000 (midnight).
Advisories warn us of when severe weather conditions are expected. Listen closely so that you know exactly what to do and when to do it.


Types of Advisories

  • Tropical Depression Advisory
    Provides information on the development and threat of a Tropical Depression which is approaching land. The system is not named unless it is a Hurricane or Tropical Storm which has been down-graded to a Tropical Depression. Each new tropical depression is assigned a number.

  • Tropical Storm Advisory
    Issued when the wind speed of a tropical cyclone reaches 39 mph (63 km/h) or higher. Tropical Storms are given names.

  • Hurricane Watch
    Advisory issued for a particular area when conditions are favourable for the development of a hurricane. It does not necessarily mean that a hurricane is imminent.

  • Hurricane Warning
    Issued when hurricane conditions are expected to affect a particular area within thirty-six (36) hours.

  • Hurricane All-Clear
    The All-clear message lets you know when the hurricane has completely passed. Do not leave your home or shelter until you have heard the all-clear alert!

 

Precautionary Measures

  • On Hearing an Advisory
    Continue normal activities but stay tuned to radio and television for further messages. Then start to prepare your home and family as necessary.

 

TAKING ACTION is as easy as 1-2-3:

1

BEFORE

2

WATCH

3

WARNING

Before Hurricane Season Starts YOU SHOULD:


Assemble your Disaster Supply Kit.
These items are often scattered around your home and simply need to be brought together into one location.


Write out your Family Disaster Plan.
Discuss the possible hazards with your family. Determine if you are in an evacuation area. Identify an out-of-town family contact.

When a Hurricane Watch is issued YOU SHOULD:


Check your Disaster Supply Kit.
Make sure nothing is missing. Determine if there is anything you need to supplement your kit. Replenish your water.


Activate your Family Disaster Plan.
Protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time (for example, securing a boat or leaving a barrier island).

When a Hurricane Warning is issued YOU SHOULD:


Ready your Disaster Supply Kit for use.
If you need to evacuate, you should bring your Supply Kit with you.


Use your Family Disaster Plan.
Your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/action.shtml

 

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Hurricane season in the Atlantic lasts from June 1st to November 30th.
Tropical storms are given male and female names because this makes them easier to track. Before 1979 though, they only had female names.
A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when its winds reach 74 mph or higher.
Hurricanes are grouped into 5 categories according to their strength. Category 5 hurricanes are the strongest.
The “eye” is the centre of the hurricane and is the calmest part.
Slow moving hurricanes produce more rain and can cause more damage from flooding.
Putting tape on windows and glass will not stop them from breaking during a hurricane.
The word hurricane comes from the word Hurakan. Hurakan is the name of the Mayan god of wind and fire.