INTRODUCTION

In recent memory, Eastern North Carolina has been "Ground Zero" for some of this generation's most damaging Hurricanes.  From continuous high winds to long lasting Inland Flooding, Hurricanes have wreaked havoc on many families' daily activities.  Its effects have lasted anywhere from days to years.  Because of the duration of its effects, it is imperative to be prepared in the event that the next Hurricane makes landfall in Eastern North Carolina.  A History of Tropical Activity shows how Hurricanes have ravaged many areas in the United States, including Eastern North Carolina.  Also, a highlight is provided of the Scientific Advances that have given Weather Forecasters considerable Lead Time in warning the general public about a possible land falling hurricane and deserved credit for saving many lives.  To be better prepared, a checklist from FEMA is provided that details how you and your family should be Taking Precautions NOW before a Hurricane is forecasted to make landfall.  Finally, a Tropical Glossary explains advisories, warnings, watches and terms used by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, FL.

FACTS AND STATISTICS ABOUT HURRICANES (Courtesy of HurricaneWarning.net)

• STRONGEST HURRICANE RECORDED
  • Florida Keys Storm of 1935
    • Category 5 Storm
    • 500 Deaths
• MOST INTENSE HURRICANES RECORDED
  • Labor Day Storm of 1935
    • Category 5 Storm
    • 400 Deaths in Florida
  • Camille (1969)
    • 25 foot Storm Surge
    • 256 Deaths
    • Flooding from Gulf Coast through the Mid-Atlantic States
• DEADLIEST U.S. LAND FALLING HURRICANE
  • The Galveston Island Storm of 1900
    • Category 4 Storm
    • ~8000 Deaths
• COSTLIEST U.S. LAND FALLING HURRICANE
  • Andrew (August 1992)
    • >$25 billion in damage
• On average, hurricanes cause 17 deaths in the United States each year.  Flooding causes 147 deaths per year.
• STORM SURGES attribute 9 out of every 10 deaths related to hurricanes.
• Hurricanes lose most of their energy within 12 hours of landfall.
• Atlantic Hurricane Season:  June 1st through November 30th
• 1953:  The first year with Male named hurricanes in alphabetical order.
• 1956:  The first year where a hurricane was given a female name.
• On average, 100 tropical disturbances form in the Atlantic Ocean each year:
  • 10 of these disturbances become named Tropical Storms.
  • 6 of the Tropical Storms form to become Hurricanes.
  • 2 of the Hurricanes are the most likely to strike the United States.
• The STRONGEST HURRICANES can happen during a very inactive hurricane season:
  • ALICIA (1983):  only 4 named storms
  • ANDREW (1992):   only 6 named storms
• Hurricanes rotate Counter-Clockwise in the Earth's Northern Hemisphere.
• It takes more time to evacuate an area in the path of a hurricane than it did 10 years ago.