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Hurricane Preparedness: Delivering the Right Message

Weather.gov > Weather-Ready Nation > Hurricane Preparedness: Delivering the Right Message

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Consider all hazards when preparing for hurricanes

focus on potential impacts

Use the official National Hurricane Center forecast

Beware unreliable sources

Hurricane dangers remain even after the skies turn blue

All storms are different

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Consider all hazards when preparing for hurricanes. Nearly 90% of all hurrican-related deaths involve water: storm surge, inland flooding, rip currents/rough surf. Hurricanes can also spawn tornadoes, even in the outer bands fat from the center. Hazardous conditions can occur well ahead and well after a hurricane's arrival.

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Focus on potential impacts. Impacts can be felt far from the storm's center, even well inland and outside the 'cone of uncertainty'. Do not focus on a specific storm category; all hurricanes and tropical storms can bring life-threatening storm surge, inland flooding, and damaging winds. Avoid using terms such as 'downgraded' as a hurricane makes landfall - impacts often continue even when the storm winds decrease.

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Use the official National HUrricane Center forecast. Hurricane specialists at the NHC access a variety of data (models, aircraft, satellite) to make the most accurate forecasts possible. Meteorologists at local NWS offices understand which locations in your area are most vulnerable to storm surge, flooding, and wind as these hazards reach your area. Avoid or treating or posting model guidance as a forecast, especially a model that is significantly different from others or models that extend beyond the official 5-day official forecast.

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Beware unreliable sources. Rely on official NWS forecasts and well-established media partners in the weather enterprise. Be cautious of sensational headlines and instead look for reliable sources to determine a storm's potential impacts. Have multople ways to receive evacuation orders and lifesaving warnings.

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Hurricane dangers remain even after the skies turn blue. Avoid walking through flood waters as they may contain pollution, debris, and potentially dangerous wildfire. Check on elderly neighbors and avoid heat exhaustion or dehydration during the clean up phase. Beware of downed power lines and always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using generators to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

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All storms are different - don't let past experiences dictate your planning. Impacts can be much worse for some hurricanes compared to others, even of similar strength, due to differences in landfall location, size, and forward speed. The storm's scale only tells you about the strongest winds near the center of the storm and does not tell you about potentially life-threatening flooding from rain or storm surge. Stay informed of the latest as changes in track, intensity, and landfall location can result in changes in potential impacts.

US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
Weather-Ready Nation
1325 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910

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