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A hurricane's winds are at least 74 miles per hour, and its effects reach well beyond the coast. This FEMA Ready.gov page for kids explains what hurricanes are and what children can do to stay safe.
What a hurricane is
Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the eastern Pacific Ocean. They gather heat and energy from warm ocean water and then move toward land, and evaporation from the water increases their power. Hurricanes rotate counter-clockwise around an "eye," the center of the storm. In the eye, winds and rain die down, but they start up again very quickly.
On land, heavy rain, strong winds and large waves can damage buildings, trees and cars. Storm surge, rising water that moves inland, away from the coastline, is very dangerous.
Who is at risk
Hurricanes are most common between June and November. Any U.S. coast on the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean can be hit, and the effects can be felt more than 100 miles inland. People on the coast may face extreme winds and flooding from rain and storm surge. People inland are at risk from wind, thunderstorms and flooding, and the page adds tornadoes.
What to do
Image from Ready.gov's kids page.
Before
- Build an emergency kit.
- Make a family communications plan, including how to reach each other if the power goes out or the family is separated.
- Help bring in outdoor items such as potted plants, patio furniture, decorations and garbage cans, which can fly away in strong winds.
During
- Do not open the refrigerator or freezer. If the power goes out, the cold air staying in helps food last longer.
- Stay away from windows and glass doors, which could break.
- In a flood, go to the highest level of the home. Do not climb into a closed attic, where rising water could trap you.
- If the family did not evacuate, stay in a closet, hallway or room without windows to be protected from high winds.
- Listen to parents or safety authorities for instructions.
After
- Stay away from loose or dangling wires.
- Tell a parent if you smell gas.
- Text rather than call, unless it is a life-threatening situation. That keeps phone lines free for emergency workers, and texting may work even when cell service is down.
- Feeling anxious or stressed is normal, and everyone reacts differently. Take care of your body and talk with parents or other trusted adults if you feel upset.
Words to know
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Evacuation | Leaving an area that officials say is unsafe |
| Inland | Away from the coastline |
| Tropical | An area closer to the equator |
Sources
- Federal Emergency Management Agency, Ready.gov, Hurricanes (kids); rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence : CC0 1.0 (domaine public) · Adapté de www.ready.gov
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