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Important points
Wind and water impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur regardless of the strength of the storm. Find out if you live in a flood-prone area, if you live in an evacuation zone, and identify any structural weaknesses in your home.
While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property, tropical storms and tropical depressions can also be devastating. The main hazards of tropical cyclones (which include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes) are storm surge flooding, inland flooding caused by heavy rainfall, destructive winds, tornadoes, and heavy surf and rip currents.
Cyclonic storm surge
This is the water that the winds swirling around the storm push toward the coast, and historically has caused the greatest loss of life in hurricanes. This rise in water levels can cause severe flooding in coastal areas, which can submerge entire areas, cause structural damage to buildings and wash away roads. Storm surge can move several kilometers inland, especially along bays, rivers and estuaries.
Floods
They are caused by the extreme rainfall that a hurricane can bring and have also proven to be very deadly, both during prolonged periods and in short-term flash floods. Homes and businesses could be flooded, and flooded roads could make travel and evacuations difficult, as well as pose a potentially deadly hazard to those traveling in vehicles or on foot. Floodwaters may also contain harmful bacteria, chemicals, wildlife and other dangerous objects. Extreme rainfall from hurricanes can even inundate areas that are not normally prone to flooding. Flooding can occur hundreds of miles inland and persist for several days after a storm.
Hurricane winds
They can cause moderate to catastrophic damage to homes and other buildings, depending on wind speed and structural integrity. Wind damage can cause power and communications outages over large areas, as well as uprooting trees and rendering roads impassable due to debris. Signs, roofing material, and other objects left outdoors can become missiles during hurricanes. Mobile homes are especially vulnerable to wind damage.
Waves from distant storms can produce deadly undertow currents and strong waves on far-flung beaches. Good weather on the beach does not mean the ocean is safe. Even storms more than 1600 kilometers away can cause impacts.
Determine if you live in a flood-prone area.
Anyone living in a flood-prone area is especially vulnerable to the impact of hurricanes. Find out the flood risk in your area today and plan accordingly. If you don't live in a flood zone, it doesn't necessarily mean you're safe: heavy rains caused by hurricanes can cause flooding even in areas that are not prone to flooding.
Find out if you live in an evacuation zone.
Determine if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone. This can indicate your vulnerability to storm surge and will be critical in developing an evacuation plan.
Identify the structural risks of your home.
Find out if your home has any weaknesses that could prove deadly in the event of a hurricane. Are your exterior doors and garage door hurricane-proof? Do you have shutters? Some elements of your home can be reinforced to withstand the impact of a hurricane, and others cannot. Mobile homes are especially vulnerable to hurricane winds, and basements are especially vulnerable to storm surge and flooding.
