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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms
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Introduce hurricanes and coastal storms by asking the question below.
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Ask Question
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What is the difference between a hurricane and a coastal storm? |
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Allow the participants time to respond before displaying the visual.
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Display Visual
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A Hurricane Is . . .
A violent area of low
pressure forming in the tropical
Atlantic Ocean
from June to November.
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Explain that a hurricane is a violent area of low pressure forming
in the tropical Atlantic Ocean from June to November. August and
September are peak months. (Similar Western Pacific Ocean storms are
called typhoons.) Hurricanes have winds of 75 miles per hour or
more and are accompanied by torrential rains and—along coastal areas—a
storm surge.
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Tell the participants that although coastal storms may have
hurricane-force winds and may cause similar kinds and amounts of damage,
they are not classified as hurricanes because they do not originate in the
tropics. Coastal storms typically form along the east coast from December
through March.
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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms (Continued)
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Display Visual
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Risks Posed by Hurricanes and Coastal Storms
Intense winds and rain can:
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Damage or destroy structures.
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Lift and move unstable structures and objects.
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Damage utility lines.
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Be accompanied by tornadoes.
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Cause coastal erosion.
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Cause floods.
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Threaten lives.
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Explain that hurricanes and coastal storms pose a risk because powerful
and intense winds can:
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Damage or destroy structures.
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Lift and move unstable structures and objects.
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Damage utility lines.
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Be accompanied by tornadoes.
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Cause coastal erosion.
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Cause floods.
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Threaten lives.
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The accompanying heavy rains can inundate coastal areas and inland
communities, presenting another risk to life and property.
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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms (Continued)
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Display Visual
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Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
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Five categories of storms
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Measures wind speed
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Includes expected barometric pressure and storm surge
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PM, P. 1-A-28
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Refer the participants to the chart titled, Hurricane Classifications
in the Participant Manual. Explain that hurricanes are classified
according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, which measures wind
speed.
Point out that the chart in the Participant Manual also includes the
anticipated barometric pressure (in inches) and storm surge for each
category of storm.
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Category |
Barometric
Pressure (Inches) |
Windspeed
(Miles Per Hour) |
Storm
Surge (Feet) |
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I - Minimal |
Above 28.94 |
74-95 |
4-5 |
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II
- Moderate |
28.50-28.91 |
96-110 |
6-8 |
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III
- Extensive |
27.91-28.47 |
111-130 |
9-12 |
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IV
- Extreme |
27.17-27.88 |
131-155 |
13-18 |
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V
- Catastrophic |
Less Than 27.17 |
More Than 155 |
More than 18 |
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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms (Continued)
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Point out that the greatest likelihood of a hurricane striking land
is along the
Gulf
Coast
and the southeastern seaboard. However, hurricanes have also hit central
Pennsylvania
and the coasts of New Jersey, New York, and New England.
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Explain that each year approximately 10 “storm-strength” weather
disturbances are detected in the North Atlantic. Of these, half may grow
to hurricane proportion. Two hurricanes are likely to strike the
U.S.
coast each year.
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Display Visual
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Hurricane Statistics
Nearly 100 million Americans are at risk:
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14 million live in the zone where winds over 125 mph have been
recorded.
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More than 6 million live in storm surge areas.
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Stress that nearly 100 million Americans are at risk from hurricanes.
Specifically:
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Almost 14 million live in the area where winds greater than 125 mph
have been recorded (i.e., the tip of
Florida to the North
Carolina coast).
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More than 6 million live in storm surge areas.
Emphasize that although deaths from hurricanes are decreasing as hurricane
warning systems improve, property damage is on the rise.
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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms (Continued)
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Ask Question
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How can you prepare for a hurricane or coastal storm? |
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Allow the group time to respond. Summarize the responses, using the
visual.
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Display Visual
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Preparing for a
Hurricane/Coastal Storm
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Know your risk and evacuation routes.
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Develop a plan.
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Secure needed supplies.
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Floodproof property.
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Secure mobile homes and outdoor items.
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Point out that many people do not realize the threat that
hurricanes can present—even if they live in hurricane-prone areas—because
they have not experienced a “major” hurricane.
Stress that there are certain preparations that people
who live in high-risk areas should take to prepare for a hurricane or
coastal storm before one occurs.
Describe for the group the following preparations:
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Know the risk and evacuation routes.
Being aware of the risk and how to get out of the area as quickly as
possible should an evacuation order be issued is one of the key
preparedness steps to take. Driving the evacuation routes to ensure
familiarity before a storm and identifying shelter locations will make an
evacuation smoother.
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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms (Continued)
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Develop an action plan. When will you begin preparing your home for possible
high winds and storm surge? How much time will it take you to evacuate,
if necessary? Does your evacuation route change based on the direction of
the storm? Will you go to a shelter or a hotel? These are all questions
that anyone who lives in a high-risk area should answer as part of
hurricane or coastal storm planning.
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Secure needed supplies. Point out that if the participants assemble their
disaster supply kits as suggested in this unit, they will have everything
that they need for hurricane and coastal storm preparedness.
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Floodproof property. Floodproofing can range from using a water sealer in
areas that have basements to sandbagging, to elevating utilities, and to
moving furniture to the second floor.
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Instructor’s Note
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Review the techniques for floodproofing properties that are included in
the Flood Hazard section of this Instructor Guide. |
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Secure mobile homes and any outdoor items that could be picked up by the
wind or washed away.
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Solicit other suggestions from the group. Additional
suggestions may include keeping the car’s gas tank filled and verifying
insurance coverages.
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Ask Question
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After a hurricane watch has been issued, what should you do to prepare? |
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Allow the group to respond before displaying the visual.
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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms (Continued)
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Display Visual
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Before a Hurricane
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Board up all windows and glass doors.
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Check batteries.
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Stock up on nonperishable food.
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Listen to EAS.
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Summarize for the group the steps that everyone who is at
risk should take before a hurricane strikes:
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Board up all windows and glass doors.
Studies have shown that if the wind can be kept out of a structure, the
structure will withstand high winds relatively well. If wind is allowed
inside, however, additional structural and nonstructural damage will occur
very quickly. The best way to prevent wind from getting into a structure
is to cover all windows and glass doors with plywood or to close hurricane
shutters.
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Check batteries. Often electricity is disrupted by hurricanes (and coastal storms)
and, depending on the extent of damage, may not be restored immediately.
Check batteries for flashlights and portable radios to ensure that they
are fresh. Replace old batteries, and have extra on hand.
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Stock up on nonperishable food. A 3-day supply of food and water for each
family member is a must.
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Listen to EAS for local emergency information. Local officials will have the most
current emergency information about the storm (including watch and warning
information from the National Weather Service) and will provide
information and instructions via EAS.
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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms (Continued)
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Ask Question
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What should you do during a hurricane? |
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Allow the group time to respond. Then, summarize their
responses, using the visual.
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Display Visual
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During a Hurricane
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If not advised to evacuate, stay indoors.
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Be aware of the “eye.”
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Be alert for tornadoes.
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Be sure to make these points:
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Stay indoors. If advised to evacuate, do so. However, do not assume that
because an evacuation order is not issued that the situation is safe.
Even Category 1 hurricanes are dangerous. Stay indoors and listen to EAS
for up-to-date information.
If advised to shelter
in place:
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Take the family disaster supply kit.
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Go to an interior “safe” room, if possible.
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Stay in the safe room and listen to EAS for additional instructions.
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Be aware of the “eye.” The “eye” of a hurricane is typically 20 to 30 miles
wide in relation to the storm, which may have a diameter of 400 miles.
During the “eye,” there are very few clouds, but it is important to
remember that the storm is not over.
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Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes are frequently associated with hurricanes,
and are most common in the right-front quadrant of the storm.
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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms (Continued)
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Instructor’s Note
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If you live in an area that is away from the coast but subject to inland
flooding, you should include some discussion on inland flooding that
accompanies decaying hurricanes and tropical storms and the risk of
cascading events, such as landslides and mudflows. You should also
emphasize that hurricane- and tropical storm-force winds can extend well
inland from the coast, and that the strongest sustained winds from a
hurricane usually occur in the right front quadrant of the storm. |
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Ask Question
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What precautions should you take after a hurricane or coastal
storm? |
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Allow the participants time to respond. Summarize the
discussion, using the visual.
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Display Visual
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After a Hurricane
or Coastal Storm
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Do not reenter the area until it is safe.
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Use a flashlight to inspect for damage.
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Stay away from downed power lines.
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Turn off utilities, if necessary.
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Reserve telephones for emergencies.
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Listen to EAS.
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Hurricanes and
Coastal Storms (Continued)
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Be sure to make these points:
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Do not re-enter the area until it is declared safe.
Reentry to the area too soon may cause unnecessary risk—and may keep first
responders and utility workers from doing their jobs.
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Use a flashlight to inspect for damage.
Do not assume that utilities are undamaged following a hurricane or
coastal storm. Checking for damage with a flashlight reduces the risk of
injury, especially from a damaged electric supply.
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Stay away from downed power lines. The only sure way to limit risk from downed
power lines is to avoid them completely.
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Turn off utilities, if necessary. If there is a gas smell or a fire, turn
off the gas valve. If there is damage to electric lines or supply, shut
off the electricity by turning off small circuit breakers (or unscrewing
fuses) first, then turning off the main breaker (or fuse).
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Instructor’s Note
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Remind the group that if they turn off the gas valve, only the gas
company can restore the service. |
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Reserve the telephone for emergency use.
Telephone lines are invariably overloaded following a disaster or
emergency. Reserving telephone use (both landline and cellular) for
emergency use helps to ensure that those calls that must go through do so.
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Listen to EAS for updated information. Local officials will use EAS extensively
to provide emergency information and instructions. Be sure to tune in
often for updates.
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Ask the participants if anyone has additional questions,
comments, or concerns about hurricanes or coastal storms.
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