hurricane preparedness checklist new orleans

#HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST NEW ORLEANS HOW TO#

This food should be non-perishable and meet the dietary needs of your household-especially infants and pets. Non-perishable food and water – Many experts advise keeping at least a three-day food supply.While your supplies can vary based on your location and the expected hurricane’s size, most emergency kits call for the following: This includes stocking up on emergency supplies early rather than at the last minute. As a result, it’s much better to create an emergency plan ahead of time. In which case, knowing what this information means should be at the top of your hurricane preparedness list.įrom causing power outages to closing grocery stores, hurricanes often impact a community’s infrastructure in monumental ways. The days before a hurricane hits are often loaded with crucial information. Like level four hurricanes, level five hurricanes mean widespread evacuations are urgent. Level five – Level five hurricanes pack high winds greater than 156 mph and are the most catastrophic.It’s often necessary to completely evacuate an area before a level four hurricane makes landfall. Level four – Featuring winds between 130-156 mph, level four hurricanes can be catastrophic.Level three – With winds between 111 and 129 mph, level three hurricanes can be very destructive.These hurricanes can cause significant damage-especially to less-sturdy structures. Level two – Level two hurricanes have winds between 96 and 110.Level one – Level one hurricanes have winds between 74 and 95 mph.Instead, hurricanes come in different sizes, shapes, and strengths.Īs a result, meteorologists rely on the following classification system: Like many other weather patterns, hurricanes don’t fit neatly into a storm-sized box. The last thing you want is to prepare for a level two hurricane only to find out a level five storm is heading your way. It’s also important to understand the hurricane categorization system. These powerful storms can develop into hurricanes. Tropical storm – With winds ranging from 39 mph to 73 mph, a tropical storm is more serious than a tropical depression.These storms may have winds blowing 38 mph or less and may or may not develop into tropical storms. Tropical depression – A tropical depression is typically the first stage in hurricane formation.

Due to the nature of hurricanes, the strongest winds may still be over water even if the bulk of the storm passes over land. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the strongest winds are over land.

Landfall – When a hurricane makes landfall, the storm’s surface center contacts a coastline.

Unlike watches, warnings are issued 36 hours in advance.

Hurricane warning – Graver than hurricane watches, hurricane warnings indicate an area can expect significant tropical winds.

Hurricane watch – Meteorologists issue hurricane watches at least 48 hours before an area might receive significant tropical winds.

To that end, a few common hurricane terms you’ll likely come across include: Understanding these terms is an early and incredibly important step in hurricane preparedness. They also have a few terms referring to the probability of landfall. When issuing hurricane alerts, state and national governments use several terms to define hurricane types.

#HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST NEW ORLEANS HOW TO#

That way, you’ll know how to weather the storm and keep your loved ones safe regardless of what Mother Nature brings. Read on for several safety tips on how to prepare for a hurricane. In fact, it gets twice as many major storms than the second most-hit state of Texas.įortunately, preparing for a hurricane is not only possible-it’s practical. If you live in an area below sea-level, a flood zone, or one prone to power outages, you should be especially cautious of these natural occurrences.Īccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center, the “average Atlantic hurricane season has fourteen named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5).” In the United States, Florida (specifically South Florida) gets more hurricanes than any other state. Hurricanes can be dangerous, bringing gale force winds, powerful ocean currents, deadly storm surge, debris, and devastating rainfall.

Hurricane preparedness checklist new orleans