As the hurricane season approaches; it is time to understand a few basic things about hurricanes. The Atlantic Hurricane season begins to take shape in August / September and yet if one was to go by the word of hurricane shutter companies, business is slow? Why? Could it be because people have forgotten the damage from earlier hurricanes or they are betting on this year being a safe one. According to observers, a scare is perhaps the only way to jog people out of their lethargy and when a scare actually comes along, supplies often fall short and many people are left struggling to purchase and install hurricane shutters and generators in their homes in time before the storms come.
When wind and water both combine to lay waste our habitat the least we can do is to be as prepared as we can. But what hurts more? Statistics show that a storm surge is easily the most deadly aspect of a hurricane. It is not as frequent as floods that come with the heavy rains but when it happens, it is a real killer and destroyer of property. This single biggest cause of fatalities is a clear danger to all cities along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. Tropical cyclones can lead to drownings both in the sea and inland. And if you check the figures, then storm surges account for half the losses since the past 40 years.
This is not to say that floods are to be treated lightly. Inland river systems can swell and flood very fast in case of a heavy downpour. If you’re caught in such a situation, your best bet is to get out before the river, lake, stream really swells up. When winds hit speeds of 110 miles per hour, then even securely anchored boats can capsize, make no mention of those unmoored boats in the sea. Often people seem to be unaware of their own vulnerability, which perhaps leads them to venture out in spite of storm warnings.
If you are living in an area that is at risk from storm surges, then you need to do more than just have hurricane shutters installed. Keep rations for five days ready, do not venture close to water till the storm warnings are lifted.
