HURRICANES :
A Homeowner's Guide
GE 404 - Natural Hazard Mitigation
Dr. Bill Rose
Hurricane Fran - Time Magazine Article Online,
Sept. 19, 1996
Every year approximately 6 Atlantic based tropical storms develope into
hurricanes, and of these, about 5 will strike the
United States coast. At least 2 of these hurricanes will be greater than
3 on
the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Unfortunately it is not a hurricane which kills people, but the events
associated with it and. Storm tides preceding both Hurricanes
Camille in 1969 and
Hugo in 1989 were in excess of 20 ft. The flooding associated with the large
amounts of rainfall form Hurricane Diane in 1955, caused 200 deaths and $4.2
billion of damage in the New England area; while flooding from Hurricane Agnes
in 1972 caused 122 deaths and $6.4 billion in damage in the northeast.
The areas most vulnerable to hurricane damage are barrier islands, coastal
cities, and low lying areas upto 20 miles inland. Hurricanes can continue
hundreds of miles
inland, but he majority of death and damage occurs near the coast. Of the over
45 million permanent residents who live in costal cities and on barrier
islands, 80 to 90% have never experiences a "major" hurricane. Which
leaves the question to new resident in a hurricane prone area; If my neighbors
don't know what to do, how will I?
The FEMA and NOAA
currently publish
brochures on general hazard procedures. But these documents
are wordy and buried peep in existing documents. The purpose of this web page
is to provide individuals moving into hurricane prone areas an easy to follow
guide to hurricane preparedness, and tips to save your home and
family.
GE 404 Return to the Natural
Hazards Mitigation Home Page
References not
previously sited
City of
Myrtle
Beach
TPC National Hurricane
Center
Leon County,
Florida
1997 Hurricane Survival Guide
Hurricanes...The Greatest Storms on Earth, A Preparedness Guide from
NOAA,
FEMA, and the American Red Cross