The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1st and
continues through November 30th. Although the number of tropical
storms and hurricanes typically peaks during August and September, it
is important to remember that Florida can be impacted by tropical
weather systems any time during the six-month-long season. Hurricanes
and tropical storms can bring very dangerous weather to areas near the
coast, including strong winds, storm surge and coastal flooding,
flooding from heavy rain, and tornadoes. For those away from the
immediate coastline, inland flooding and tornadoes are often the most
hazardous impacts from these systems.
What's it like to go through a hurricane on the ground? What are the early warning signs of an approaching tropical cyclone?
Just
as every person is an individual, every hurricane is different so every
experience with a storm will be unique. The summary below is of a
general sequence of events one might expect from a Category 2 hurricane
approaching a coastal area. What you might experience could be vastly
different.
- 96 hours before landfall
At first there aren't any apparent signs of a storm. The pressure is
steady, winds are light and fair weather clouds dot the sky. The
perceptive observer will note a swell on the ocean surface of about
three feet in height with a wave coming ashore every ten seconds. These
waves race out far ahead of a storm at sea, but could easily be masked
by locally wind-driven waves.
- 72 hours before landfall
Little has changed, except that the swell has increased to about six
feet in height and the waves now come in every nine seconds. This means
that the storm, still far over the horizon, is approaching.
- 48 hours before landfall
If anything, conditions have improved. The sky is now clear of clouds,
the pressure is steady, and the wind is almost calm. The swell is now
about nine feet and coming in every eight seconds. A hurricane watch is
issued, and areas with long evacuation times are given the order to
begin evacuating.
- 36 hours before landfall
The first signs of the storm appear. The pressure is falling steadily,
the winds pick up to about 10-20mph, and the ocean swell is about 10-12
feet in height and coming in every five to seven seconds. On the
horizon a large mass of white cirrus clouds appear. As the veil of
clouds approaches it covers more of the horizon. A hurricane warning is
issued and low lying areas and people living in mobile homes are
ordered to evacuate.
- 24 hours before landfall
In addition to the overcast, low clouds streak by overhead. The
pressure continues to fall and the wind picks up to 35 mph. The
wind-driven waves are covered in whitecaps and streaks of foam begin to
ride over the surface. Evacuations should be completed and final
preparations made by this time.
- 18 hours before landfall
The low clouds are thicker and bring driving rain squalls with gusty
winds. Winds are whistling by at 40 mph. It is hard to stand against
the wind.
- 12 hours before landfall
The rain squalls are more frequent and the winds don't diminish after
they depart. The pressure is falling rather rapidly. The wind is
howling at hurricane force at 74 mph, and small, loose objects are
flying through the air and branches are stripped from some trees. The
sea advances with every storm wave that crashes ashore and the surface
is covered with white streaks and foam patches.
- Six hours before landfall
The rain is constant now and the wind, now around 90 mph, drives it
horizontally. The storm surge has advanced above the high tide mark. It
is impossible to stand upright outside without bracing yourself, and
heavy objects like coconuts and plywood sheets become airborne
missiles. The wave tops are cut off and make the sea surface a whitish
mass of spray.
- One hour before landfall
It didn't seem possible, but the rain has become heavier, a torrential
downpour. Low areas inland become flooded from the rain. The winds are
roaring at 105 mph, and the pressure is falling rapidly. The sea is
white with foam and streaks. The storm surge has covered coastal roads
and 16 foot waves crash into buildings near the shore.
- The eye
Just as the storm reaches its peak, the winds begin to slacken, and the
sky starts to brighten. The rain ends abruptly and the clouds break and
blue sky is seen. However, the pressure reaches its lowest point and
the storm surge reaches the furthest inland. Wild waves crash into
anything in the grasp of the surge. Soon the winds fall to near calm,
but the air is uncomfortably warm and humid. Looking up you can see
huge walls of cloud on every side, brilliant white in the sunlight. The
winds begin to pick up slightly and the clouds on the far side of the
eyewall loom overhead.
- One hour after landfall
The sky darkens and the winds and rain return just as heavy as they
were before the eye. The storm surge begins a slow retreat, but the
monstrous waves continue to crash ashore. The pressure is now rising,
the winds top out at 105 mph, and heavy items torn loose by the front
side of the storm are thrown about and into sides of buildings that had
been facing away from the storm’s winds before the eye passed.
- Six hours after landfall
The flooding rains continue, but the winds have diminished to 90 mph.
The storm surge is retreating and pulling debris out to sea or
stranding seaborne objects well inland. It is still impossible to go
outside.
- 12 hours after landfall
The rain now comes in squalls and the winds begin to diminish after
each squall passes. The wind is still howling at near hurricane force
at 70 mph, and the ocean is covered with streaks and foam patches. The
sea level returns to the high tide mark.
- 36 hours after landfall
The overcast has broken and the large mass of white cirrus clouds
disappears over the horizon. The sky is clear and the sun seems
brilliant. The winds are a steady 10 mph. All around are torn trees and
battered buildings. The air may smell of vegetation and muck that was
pulled up by the storm from the bottom of the sea to cover the shore.
Local officials begin response efforts and some municipalities may give
notice for residents to return.
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