Michael Petruccelli says; An EXTREME
WIND WARNING:
Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane
(115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to
begin within an hour. Take immediate shelter in the interior portion of a
well-built structure.
Additional Watches and Warnings are
issued to provide detailed information on specific threats such as floods and
tornadoes. Local National Weather Service offices issue Flash Flood/Flood
Watches and Warnings as well as Tornado Warnings.
Be Alert For...
Tornadoes they are often spawned by hurricanes.
The calm “eye” of the storm it may
seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change
direction and quickly return to hurricane force.
REMINDER: If you are told to leave
your home, do so immediately!
What to Bring to a
Shelter:
„„First-aid kit
„„Medicine, prescriptions
„„Baby food and diapers
„„Games, books, music players with
headphones
„„Toiletries
„„Battery-powered radio and cell phone
„„Flashlights
„„Extra batteries
„„A blanket or sleeping bag for each
person
„„Identification
Cash, credit card
Copies of key papers such as insurance
policies
Note: In this case the winds can be
the enemy but there is the silent enemy, the rain.
Rainfall
Hurricanes often produce
widespread, torrential rains in excess of 6 inches, which may result in deadly and
destructive floods. In fact, flooding is the major threat from tropical cyclones
for people living inland. Flash flooding, defined as a rapid rise in water
levels, can occur quickly due to intense rainfall. Longer term flooding on
rivers and streams can persist for several days after the storm.
Rainfall amounts are not directly
related to the strength of tropical cyclones but rather to the speed and size
of the storm, as well as the geography of the area. Slower moving and larger
storms produce more rainfall. In addition, mountainous terrain enhances rainfall
from a tropical cyclone.
