Hurricanes: The Dangers and How to Prepare

A hurricane is a severe tropical storm, bringing high winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms, and it can do tremendous damage.

The dangers

• Wind can exceed 155 miles per hour.
• Hurricanes and tropical storms can spawn tornadoes and cause flooding.
• Wind and rain can destroy buildings, roads and bridges and bring down power lines and trees.
• On the coast, storm surges — very high tides — cause extensive damage.

Protecting yourself

Nothing guarantees safety in a hurricane, but you can take steps. Have a disaster plan: being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety and losses. After a disaster it is normal to feel stressed, and you may need help finding ways to cope.

Sources

• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Hurricanes," drawing on the Federal Emergency Management Agency. https://medlineplus.gov/hurricanes.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.