Hurricane Preparation Guidelines
for International Students
By: Inthira Pandey
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
What is Hurricane?
• A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics.
• The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
What Exactly Is a Hurricane?
• A hurricane can best be
described as a huge
tropical storm (up to 600
miles in diameter)!
• Winds can be up to 200
mph!
• Storm usually doesn’t last
for more than 7-10 days.
• It moves across the ocean
at around 10-20 mph…not
too fast really!
Arrows indicate
“feeder bands”
or “rain bands”
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages
Stage 1 – Tropical Wave (Depression)
Lacks structure – no
well developed
feeder bands or eye
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages
Stage 2 – Tropical Storm
Feeder bands are
beginning to develop
– you can see the
center of the low
pressure system
more easily. Eye and
eye wall still not well
formed.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages
Stage 3 – Category 1 Hurricane
Well developed
feeder bands. An
eye begins to form
(although it is
covered in clouds).
Storm is tightening
around center.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages
Stage 4 – Category 2 Hurricane
Well developed
feeder bands. An
eye and eye wall are
usually very well
formed. Storm
continues to tighten
around center.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages
Stage 5 – Category 3 Hurricane
Now considered a
“Major Storm”.
Intense flooding and
building damage will
occur to most areas
on the coast. Further
inland, the damage
will still be
substantial.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages
Stage 6 – Category 4 Hurricane
All shrubs, signs and
trees blown down.
COMPLETE
DESTRUCTION of
mobile homes.
Extensive damage to
doors and windows.
Major damage to lower
floors of structures near
the coast.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages
Stage 7 – Category 5 Hurricane
Complete roof failure on
many residential and
industrial buildings.
Some complete building
failures with small
utility buildings blown
over or away.
Massive evacuation of
residential areas on low
ground within 5-10
miles of the coastline
maybe required.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
CategoryWind speed
(mph)
Storm surge
(feet)
5 156 More than18
4 131–155 13–18
3 111–130 9–12
2 96–110 6–8
1 74–95 4–5
Additional classifications
Tropical storm 39–73 0–3
Tropical
depression0–38 0
What is the measurement for hurricanes’ strength
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Quiz
What is a hurricane?
A) A severe thunderstorm with wind
B) A wind storm with a funnel
C) A storm with wind of 75 mph or more
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Quiz
At which category is the wind speed higher than 130 mph?
A) Category 1
B) Category 2
C) Category 4
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
When is Hurricane Season?
• The hurricane season is between June 1st -November 30th.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
When do I need to watch out for these things?
The “hurricane
season” is just a
name for the time
period when we
expect to see
tropical systems
develop. The
hurricane season
for the Atlantic
runs from June 1st
– November 30th.
Peak season is the middle part of September.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Quiz
When is the hurricane season?
A) January till March
B) May till August
C) June till November
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Why is it important to evacuate?
• It can take thousands of lives.
• It is one of the most devastating natural disasters that occur in the world, behind only floods and earthquakes.
• Mandatory evacuation issued by the parish, is the official warning to get out of the area.
• It can cost billions in damages (Hurricane Katrina remains the costliest on US record at $110 billion).
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Quiz
Why is it important to evacuate?
A) To get a few days off from school
B) To take a vacation
C) To avoid a potential life threat
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
How to get ready for an evacuation?
Decide in advance the destination of your egress:This decision should be made as soon as possible. Hotelsand motels may be sold out everywhere within 300 miles ofthe evacuation point, making it really important to havesomewhere established to evacuate to (for example, afriend's or relative's house in a nearby state, etc.). Makeplans to evacuate with friends in advance as well.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
How to get ready for an evacuation?
Decide on the route to your safe location, as well as an alternate path:Major highways will be backed up for miles. Find an alternative, winding path if one is available. You may and most likely will find it necessary. Having GPS can be helpful in this instance but also have road maps with you in case the GPS hasn't covered everything or it doesn't work.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
How to get ready for an evacuation?
Be prepared to spend at least 12 hours on the road:Ensure you have enough to eat, drink, and stay entertained, as well as allowing ample time for restroom breaks. Failing to prepare for hours on the road can turn gloomy trip into a nightmare!
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
How to get ready for an evacuation?
Purchase two large gasoline cans long before you might ever need them:Gasoline cans will become impossible to find when the storm approaches. Keep one can empty and another can full, then store them in a locked trunk for safekeeping.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
How to get ready for an evacuation?
Things you will need to pack:• Clothing for several days.• Toilet articles
(Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)• Prescription medicines, medical equipment and
important medical records.• Special dietary foods.• Baby supplies.• Blankets, pillows, and towels • Identification and important papers.• Checkbook, credit card and cash.
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
QuizFor many hours should you be prepared to be on the road?
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
A) 6 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 12 hours
D) 24 hours
QuizWhich of these items should NOT be packed for the evacuation?
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
A) Prescription Medicine
B) Clothing
C) Pillows and Blankets
D) Television
Who to contact?
Calcasieu Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness (337-721-3800)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)(1800-621-3362)
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Sources
www.fema.gov
www.noaa.gov
www.wnyc.org
What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources
Top Related