HURRICANE: A severe tropical cyclone that spirals around a calm center known as the eye. A hurricane has formed when sustained winds reach 74 mph to a high of 220 mph.
HURRICANE WATCH: A first notice. The hurricane may threaten an area within 36 hours. You should begin preliminary preparations to protect life and property. Stay tuned to the local NewsChannels 5 or NewsChannel 12 for evacuation orders and additional instructions.
HURRICANE WARNING: Issued when the eye of a hurricane is expected to strike within 24 hours. All of your preparations should be completed. Stay tuned to the local NewsChannels.
HURRICANE CATEGORIES: Are based on disaster potential. Hurricanes are rated from one to five. The following are the characteristics that identify each category:
CATEGORY ONE: Winds of 73-95 mph. Expected damages include inundation of low-lying coastal areas, small crafts in exposed anchorages torn from moorings, some pier damages.
CATEGORY TWO: Winds of 96-110 mph. Damage estimates include coastal roads and low-lying escape routes located inland will be cut off by rising water two to four hours before the arrival of the center of the hurricane. Marina flooded. Some damage to windows, doors and roofing materials. Major damage to mobile homes.
CATEGORY THREE: Winds of 111-130 mph. Damage estimates are the same as category two. Mobile homes are destroyed.
CATEGORY FOUR: Winds of 131-155 mph. Low-lying escape routes located inland will be cut off by rising water three to five hours before the center of the hurricane arrives. Major damage to the lower floors of buildings near shores because of flooding and battering by waves and debris. Collapse of roofs on many small residencies.
CATEGORY FIVE: Winds of more than 155 mph. Damage estimates the same as category four. Small buildings will be overturned or blown away. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Collapse of roofs on many residential and industrial buildings. Some buildings will collapse.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
PALM BEACH COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 561-712-6400
AMERICAN RED CROSS 561/833-7711
INTRODUCTION
This webpage has been designed especially for tourists who are visiting our beautiful Florida. The hurricane season has arrived and it is time to pay special attention to some things before continuing with your vacation plans. This will help to prepare you and your family or friends for the potentially devastating effects of a hurricane. The hurricane season is from June 1 through November 30.
By keeping yourself well informed and planning ahead, you can minimize the danger of a hurricane. Please read this guide and discuss it with your friend(s) or family. You should develop a plan together or for yourself. Keep this information readily available during your trip.
TROPICAL STORMS AND HURRICANES:
AN OVERVIEW
Tropical storms and hurricanes are formed when several different weather conditions occur simultaneously. The two basic ingredients are warm ocean waters and favorable wind conditions. These conditions, called tropical cyclones, occur every year in the Tropics between May and early November.
A tropical storm is a lesser form of a hurricane. On average, about ten tropical storms develop each hurricane season. About half of these strengthen into hurricanes.
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with winds exceeding 74 mph, originating in the tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, or the Gulf of Mexico.
There are five strengths of hurricanes. They are categorized based upon their sustained winds, with Category One being the weakest and Category Five being the most powerful. Hurricanes and tropical storms present three distinct hazards to us.
Winds: The winds that storms generate cause damage themselves. Most vulnerable to these winds are trees, power lines, signs, manufactured homes, recreational vehicles, and homes and businesses with unprotected windows.
Tornados: As they move on shore, hurricanes can spawn numerous tornadoes. These tornadoes can occur without warning and add to the destructive potential of the hurricane.
Rain: Hurricanes and tropical storms often bring very heavy rain for extended periods. From six to eight inches of rain can fall in 24 hours or less producing flooding in many areas.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS TIPS FOR TOURISTS
The following are steps to follow to prepare for hurricanes. If you are staying at a hotel, a mobile home or around the intracoastal area, these tips may help you to remain safe.
The survival kit
The contents of your survival kit should be personalized for you. Think about your needs (medicines, matches or lighters, baby food, diapers and formulas, batteries, battery-powered radio, important phone numbers, special dietary needs, insect repellent, first-aid kit, books, magazines, newspapers, etc.)
When a hurricane watch is issued
A hurricane may affect our area in 36 hours. Now it is the time to:
- Frequently monitor the local NewsChannels.
- Fill your fuel tanks early: automobiles.
- Keep cash available.
- Determine what is the safest place within the house or hotel room you are at. If you stay, you may need to move to the safest area (the safe room is usually the one that has no windows, for instance, the bathroom.)
- Choosing to leave the area is not usually necessary. Tropical storms and hurricanes are notorious for changing direction. A better plan is to stay in a well-constructed, properly-prepared structure. If you choose to leave, do it as quickly as possible to avoid traffic jams or flight delays. Remember, when a hurricane is approaching, the airport may decide to close or the airlines may decide to postpone their scheduled flights.
When an evacuation order is issued
You have about eight hours to accomplish the following
- Verify if the evacuation order applies to your area. If you are in a hotel, contact the hotel manager and ask him or her for information and instructions to follow in case of evacuation. If you are not staying in a hotel, call the Office of Emergency Management at (561) 712-6400 and give them your address to determine if the area is in an evacuation zone.
- Prepare your luggage. Keep handy important documents such as, passports or airline tickets.
- Call friends or relatives and let them know your evacuation destination.
- Keep drinking water with you. You should have 7 gallons per person on hand.
When a hurricane warning is issued
The leading edge of the storm is just hours away. Complete all preparations as soon as possible.
- Move your belongings and survival kit to the safe room.
- Close all interior doors.
- Stay away from unprotected windows.
- Turn on your battery-operated radio.
- Have a flashlight ready.
- Fill the bathtub with water. This water is to be used for bathing and sanitary purposes only, not for drinking.
During the storm
- Stay occupied by listening to the radio or by watching the local NewsChannels.
- Stay indoors, away from windows and doors.
- Once you are in your safe room, stay there even if you hear breaking glass or worse. It is dangerous to expose yourself to the hurricane winds.
- Avoid contact with the phone if you hear thunder.
- Do not attempt to leave the area. You are safer where you are at.
After the storm
- Once the local officials have been given the OK, you can come out of the safe room. Be cautious, the hotel, house or mobile home that you are at may have suffered structural damage. Move slowly and thoughtfully. Do not allow yourself to be upset when you see the damage. Remember: your vacation plan did not turn as you expected, but you, your friends and/or families are alive and that what it is important.
- You may not be able to return immediately. If the hurricane has damaged the airport structures or roads, you may need to wait until further notice.
- Stay away from all downed power lines and especially water puddles near downed or damaged lines.
- Supervise children at all times.
- If you have a life threatening emergency, contact the hotel manager, they will help you to get the help you need. If you are not in a hotel, call 911 and have ready the following information: address, phone number and the nature of the problem. Remember, this is only for life threatening emergencies.
- Do not drink the tap water until you have been assured by officials that it is safe. Please use the water you save. If you do not have drinking water, sterilize tap water. You can sterilize tap water by straining it through a clean cloth or let it stand for 24 hours until the sediment settles to the bottom. Next bring it to a rolling boil for three to five minutes. Add 16 drops of pure household bleach per gallon of water. Water purification tablets are available at most drug stores.
Divisions
