Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane Preparedness
Stay informed and prepared for hurricane season by accessing the latest weather updates, safety guidelines, and information on our website. Always prioritize your safety and follow instructions from local authorities when a storm approaches.
Atlantic Hurricane Season
June 1-November 30.
Hurricane Hazards to the City of Humble
While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property, tropical storms and depression also can be devastating. The primary hazards from tropical cyclones (which include tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes) are storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high surf and rip currents.
Flooding
from heavy rains is the second leading cause of fatalities from land falling tropical cyclones. Widespread torrential rains associated with these storms often cause flooding hundreds of miles inland. This flooding can persist for several days after a storm has dissipated. Tropical cyclones 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.
Winds
from a hurricane can destroy buildings and manufactured homes. Signs, roofing material, and other items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes.
Tornadoes
can accompany land falling tropical cyclones. These tornadoes typically occur in rain bands well away from the center of the storm.
Storm Classifications
Tropical Wave
An inverted trough (an elongated area of relatively low pressure) or cyclonic curvature maximum moving east to west across the tropics. These can lead to the formation of a tropical cyclone. Also known as an easterly wave.
Tropical Disturbance
An area of disorganized thunderstorms in the tropics.
Tropical Depression
- A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less
- An organized system of showers and thunderstorms
Tropical Storm
- A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots)
- A well-organized system of showers and thunderstorms
- Heavy rainfall and high winds can cause significant damage
Hurricane
- A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher
- A well-defined system of showers and thunderstorms
- Categorized by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
Hurricane Categories
The National Weather Service rates hurricanes by their intensity, using a scale of one to five.
The scale, which is outlined below, categorizes storms according to their sustained winds; the
storm surges produced; and expected damage:
Category One
- Winds of 74 to 95 mph, storm surge of 4 to 5 feet above normal tide.
- Damage to shrubbery, trees, poorly constructed signs, and unanchored mobile homes. Low lying coastal roads inundated.
Category Two
- Winds of 96 to 110 mph, storm surge of 9 to 12 feet above normal tide.
- Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some wind and door damage. Major damage to exposed mobile homes.
- Coastal roads and low lying escape routes made impassable by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of hurricane.
Category Three: Major
- Winds of 111 to 130 mph, storm surge 9 to 12 feet above normal tide.
- Large trees blown down.
- Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings.
- Mobile homes destroyed.
- Serious flooding at the coast; many small structures destroyed; large structures damaged by waves and debris.
Category Four: Major
- Winds of 131 to 155 mph, storm surge 13 to 18 feet above normal tide.
- Shrubs and trees blown down, all signs down.
- Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows, and doors.
- Complete failure of roofs of many small residences.
- Complete destruction of mobile homes.
- Flat terrain 10 feet or less above sea level flooded inland as far as six miles.
- Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore.
Category Five: Major
- Winds greater than 155 mph, storm surge greater than 18 feet above normal tide.
- Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to roofs of buildings.
- Very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors.
- Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures.
- Complete destruction of mobile homes.
- Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of shore possibly required.