When a hurricane watch is issued
A hurricane watch is issued 36 hours before a hurricane may become a threat. Once a watch is issued, take
actions such as:
• Check building roofs. Make repairs to coverings and flashing as needed.
• Remove loose equipment and debris from roofs.
• Verify roof drains are clear of obstructions.
• Fill fuel tanks serving emergency generators and other vital services.
• Verify dewatering pumps are in-service and working.
• Verify outside drains and catch basins are clean.
• Remove debris from outdoor areas.
• Remove loose, outdoor, inactive equipment.
• Back-up computer data.
• Ship out as much stock as possible.
• Verify all stock is skidded at least 4 inches above the floor.
• Review construction projects. Remove loose equipment and temporarily brace new construction.
When a hurricane warning is issued
A hurricane warning is issued 24 hours before a hurricane may become a threat. Once a warning is issued, take
actions such as:
• Protect or relocate vital business records.
• Remove all loose outdoor storage or equipment.
• Anchor portable buildings or trailers to the ground.
• Secure outdoor storage or equipment that cannot be moved.
• Begin installation of manual protection systems (e.g. shutters, plywood covers and flood gates).
• Raise critical equipment off floors (e.g. PC towers).
• Move critical equipment from below grade areas.
• Cover critical stock and equipment with waterproof tarpaulins.
• Initiate an orderly shutdown of production equipment and systems that rely upon normal power.
• Turn off fuel gas services.
• Turn off non-essential electrical systems.
• Verify all fire protection systems are in service (e.g. water supplies, fire pumps, sprinklers, fire alarms and
special extinguishing systems).

5 Catagorie Hurricane Scale

Category
Winds
Effects

One
74-95 mph
No real damage to building structures. Damage primarly to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage
Two
96-110 mph
Some roofing material, door, and window damage to buildings. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
Three
111-130 mph
Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet ASL may be flooded inland 8 miles or more.
Four
131-155 mph
More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof strucutre failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain continuously lower than 10 feet ASL may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas inland as far as 6 miles.
Five
greater than 155 mph
Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet ASL and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of the shoreline may be required.

Watches and Warnings

Watches and Warnings:


A hurricane watch is issued if conditions a possible within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is issued if winds are 74 mph, high dangerous, rough seas, and is expected within 24 hours or less.
During a hurricane watch:
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports.
Check emergency supplies.
Fuel car.
Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas.
Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils.
Review evacuation plan.
Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house
During a hurricane warning:
Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions.
If in a mobile home, check tiedowns and evacuate immediately.
Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.
Avoid elevators.
If at home, stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.

Safety Procedures

Home

• Make suer you home meets building codes for hurricanes
• Stay away from windows and doors
• Do not use a phones and candles
• Remaine indoors when under the eye of the storm, because the storm will resume shortly

Driving

• Never drive in standing water
• Drive slowly and steadily through water
• Avoid flooded streets

Outdoors

• Get indoors and fast and possible

After the Hurricane

• Listen to local officials
• Stay clear of downed power lines and trees
• Use a flashlight instead of candles, because candles can cause fire
• Do not drive across flooded roadways

Atmospheric Conditions Needed to Create a Hurricane

Conditions for a Hurricane to Form:

There are four conditions that allow a hurricane to exist: low pressure (reinforced by the hurricane) warm temperatures (often in the summer) moist areas(over the ocean) tropical wind patterns(close to the Equator) There are no fronts. A hurricane is its own pressure stsyem.Hurricanes begin when raindrops condense out of warm, moist air. That releases heat, which then makes the air convect. When this happens in a low pressure zone near the equator, it can create an organized system of clouds and storms called a tropical depression. As more moist air is swept up and more rain condenses out, the depression gets stronger, creating a tropical storm. If enough heat is added to the system, it becomes a hurricane with strong winds, an eye, and storm surge.

Atmospheric conditions

• Wind speed of at least 119 mph


• supply of water


• moist air for a long period time

HURRICANES