Hurricanes

Preparing for a Hurricane

A Hurricane is a severe rapidly rotating tropical storm occurring in the North Atlantic Ocean. These storms typically form over large open bodies of warm water and contain heavy rainfall, and high winds and can spawn tornadoes once over land. Hurricane hazards can also affect coastlines, including rip currents, storm surges, and inland flooding. They can cause heavy damage and devastation in and around their path.

Check out the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale which is used to rate hurricanes from 1 to 5 based on sustained wind speed. This will give you an estimate of the potential for property damage. Storms above category 3 are considered major hurricanes because of their significant damage and potential loss of life.

To download our Hurricane Safety brochure (PDF).

When You Know the Hurricane Is Coming

Hurricanes give you time to prepare before they get near land. Stay tuned to local radio and TV stations, The Weather Channel, and the National Hurricane Center for risk information in your area. Know if you live in an evacuation area and make sure you know your evacuation route(s) before the storm approaches. Assess your risks for damage from storm surges, flooding, and wind, and plan your evacuation if necessary. Have a meeting place, or designated phone contact if separated.

• Have a location away from home setup. Be sure to inform family/friends if you are leaving your home.
• Check to see if there are local shelters set up for the storm event.
• Check on your elderly or disabled neighbors and see if they need any assistance.
• Have a plan for your pets. Check with hotels or friends if it is okay to bring your pets.
• Have supplies ready to board up your windows and doors.
• Secure any loose outdoor furniture and items.
• Make sure your vehicle’s gas tank is full. Many stations may be closed if you wait for the evacuation order.
• Prepare your boat and be aware of marine safety information.
• Store gasoline for your generator. Power outages may occur for several days and even weeks.
• Keep an ice chest on hand with ice or freezer packs to keep medications and other needs cold.
• Turn off propane tanks and unplug any small appliances.

Emergency Kit

Basic supplies should be prepared in case you need to leave or are planning to stay in your home as the storm passes. Chances are the power will be out as well as other services for several days or longer.

• Weather radio with extra batteries
• At minimum a 3-day supply of bottled water and non-perishable foods. Note: An average person needs about one gallon of water per day. Be sure you have enough on hand.
• Make sure that you have a BBQ and lots of charcoal or propane, so you can cook and heat foods for meals.
• Change of clothing
• Cash on hand – ATMs and banks may be closed or without power, once the storm approaches.
• Important documents, insurance papers for home/business/property/vehicles.
• Important phone numbers and contacts such as utilities, hospitals, law enforcement and fire, government numbers, TV and radio stations page, your insurance agent, and the American Red Cross.
• Any medications
• First Aid Kit
• Flashlights, lanterns, emergency candles, and batteries for at least 3 days

Be Ready when an evacuation is called for your area. Roads and highways will be crowded so leave early if possible. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before hitting the road.

Taking Shelter during a Hurricane

If you decide to not evacuate, make sure you are prepared to ride out the storm. Stay off the streets and either stay at home or move to a designated shelter. Stay Away from windows and doors. Even lower-category storms can toss debris around that could break through a glass window. Stay Indoors until the storm is over. Do not use your generator until after the storm has passed. Even minor hurricanes can produce torrential rainfall, high wind, and tornadoes when they make landfall. Once on land, these storms can travel for hundreds of miles. Stay in tune with your local radio station and be aware of changing conditions for the possibility of flooding and tornadoes.

Secure your pets before the storm approaches. Pets can become panicked during the storm, so a small interior room with a blanket can comfort them. If you have a pet carrier, make sure you secure the carrier in a safe place, and give your pet a blanket or familiar toy inside the carrier to help keep them calm. Make sure they have fresh water available. When the calm “eye” of the storm passes, it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force again. Stay tuned to local radio for information. Heavy rainfall and flooding can still occur even after the hurricane has passed. Use the telephone only in case of emergency.

• Always listen to evacuation information and evacuate as directed, there may be no one around to help once the storm arrives.
• Phone lines may not be working, or the storm is too dangerous to risk emergency responders going out during the height of the storm.
• Have your emergency kit ready at all times.
• Always use a flashlight or battery-operated lantern during the storm if the power is out.
• If flooding is occurring, get to higher ground or a second level of your home, but make sure you have an escape route.
• Do NOT use any electrical appliances, outlets, switches, etc. if flooding is occurring.
• Only return home when emergency officials have deemed it safe to return and roads are passable.
• When returning to a storm damage area, make sure you have the necessary documents to prove you own a home, property, or business in that area, or the authorities may not let you through.

During a major hurricane, emergency responders, law enforcement, and fire personnel may not be available until after the storm passes.

After the Hurricane Passes

Returning after the storm, if you evacuated, can take some time. Roads may be covered with debris, flooding, and fallen power lines. Listen to local radio and TV stations before trying to return to see what conditions are like in your area and wait until the area is declared safe. Have documentation to prove that you own a home, property, or business in the area, as law enforcement may turn you away if you cannot show you belong there.

• Make an assessment of any damage to your home/business and property.
• Take photos of everything and contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
• Do not use any open flames, like candles or lighters, when looking through your damaged property; use a flashlight.
• If you smell gas around your home or business, DO NOT ENTER the structure! Call the gas company or 911 immediately. Again, keep a safe distance away from the structure.
• Check on your neighbors and contact emergency services if someone is hurt or trapped. Do not try to remove the person as you could cause more bodily harm or cause a structure to weaken even more.
• Report suspicious activity like looting to authorities.
• You may need to boil water as the water supplies can become contaminated after a storm like this. Make sure you have plenty of bottled water for drinking and cooking for several days. If your home has extensive damage, it may not be structurally sound and could collapse. Let your insurance company know about your situation.

Critical

• Do Not Use Any Electrical Appliances, Outlets, or Switches if there has been any flooding in your home. Have it inspected by an electrician before turning the power back on? Make sure your main switch is off or call Dixie Electric to cut off your power if necessary.
• Your power may be out for several hours or even days. If your power is out, please call Dixie Electric to report your outage.
• Outages: (888) 465-9209 | 24 x 7 x 365

If you see fallen power lines, call Dixie Electric or 911 immediately. Keep a distance away from downed power lines and always assume the lines are energized! These can be potential hazards and could create further injury and fires.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

The scale was developed in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson.  The scale classifies hurricanes and cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms.  The categories are divided by the intensities of their sustained winds.  The categories also provide an indication of the type of damage and flooding that may be expected with the storm upon landfall.

In the United States, 315 hurricanes were recorded to have made landfall between 1851 and 2012. Over one-third of these hurricanes (116) were classified as major hurricanes (designated Category 3 and higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale). Hurricanes have made landfall in Florida more than in any other state. The second most hurricane-affected state is Texas, but every state on the Gulf Coast and bordering the Atlantic Ocean is susceptible to damage caused by hurricanes, as are U.S. island possessions and territories. Hurricanes between 1900 and 2006 resulted in 17,832 deaths. Hurricanes are categorized by the damage observed.

Hurricane Resources

Hurricanes

• National Hurricane Center Website
• Atlantic Tropical Weather Center Website
• AccuWeather Blog Extreme Weather Worldwide Website
• Hurricane Hunters Website
• The Weather Channel’s Hurricane Central Website

Weather

• The Weather Channel Website
• USA Today Weather Website
• American Red Cross Website
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Website
• Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Website

Weather Radio

• Frequencies

Evacuation Routes

• MS DOT Hurricane Evacuation Guide 2014

Download Hurricane Tracking Chart (PDF)

The American Red Cross Website can also help you with information on shelters and assistance if you find your home unlivable or unstable.

For more information, please visit