When a storm is approaching, be sure to do the following:

• - Gas up all vehicles.
• - Withdraw extra cash from bank accounts and print out updated financial statements.
• - Secure your home by closing and boarding up windows and removing outside antennas.
• - Tie down saplings, lawn furniture and other outdoor fixtures that cannot be taken inside.
• - Store all outdoor toys, bird feeders, tools and other items in a locked shed, garage or other secure location.
• - Store drinking water in disinfected bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking pots.
• - Stock up on nonperishable food, bottled water and essential medications.
• - Add perishable items such as medications and food to the hurricane emergency kit.
• - Make arrangements for pets to be boarded in safe locations or prepare safety kits for them.
• - Cover pools, outdoor vehicles and other items with securely fastened tarps to minimize damage.
• - Advise concerned family members and friends about your preparations and give them emergency contact information if available.
• - Prepare a safe location in an interior, ground floor room with few or no windows to wait out the storm.
• - Make a record of your personal property. Take photos or video of the exterior and interior of your home, including personal belongings. Store the documents in a safe place. If directed to evacuate, take the documents with you.

During the storm, be sure to do the following:

• - Stay calm and relaxed as the storm passes.
• - Stay indoors at all times, and away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
• - Keep updated by watching weather forecasts, news coverage, or listening to the radio if possible.
• - Keep children calm by playing games or pursuing normal activities as much as possible.
• - As the storm intensifies, stay in the safe room and away from windows or other dangerous spots.
• - Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting and avoid opening it as much as possible.
• - Minimize telephone use and other electronic diversions that could carry lightning strikes.
• - Do not go outside when the eye passes over. Winds and rain will soon resume.

 After the hurricane has passed the sense of relief can be overwhelming, but additional caution is necessary to avoid dangerous situations from the storm's damage.

• - Tend to all first aid needs immediately.
• - Keep telephone lines clear for emergency services.
• - Stay home and avoid travel to keep roads open for emergency vehicles.
• - If evacuation was necessary, return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• - Keep pets and children in safe areas.
• - Do not enter severely damaged buildings until they have been inspected.
• - Report downed power lines immediately and stay clear of them. 
• - Avoid overexertion that can lead to heat stroke, exhaustion and other injuries.
• - Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the power company.
• - Use stored food and water if other supplies have been contaminated.
• - Tune into local radio and television stations for information about caring for your household, where to find medical help and how to apply for assistance.
• - Be patient; it may take hours or days to restore services after a severe storm, but officials are working as fast as possible to help citizens resume their lives.

An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less. Sustained winds are defined as one-minute average wind measured at about 33 feet (10 meters) above the surface.

An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 knots).

An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.

A dome of water pushed onshore by hurricane and tropical storm winds. Storm surges can reach 25 feet high and be 50-1,000 miles wide.

A combination of storm surge and the normal tide (i.e., a 15-foot storm surge combined with a 2-foot normal high tide over the mean sea level created a 17-foot storm tide.)

Hurricane and tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area, usually within 24 hours.

These warnings provide detailed information about specific hurricane threats.

Hurricane/Typhoon Watch - Issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 48 hours or less.
Hurricane/Typhoon Warning - Issued when hurricane conditions are expected in 36 hours or less.

• Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 knots or 119-153 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally 4-5 feet above normal
• No real damage to building structures
• Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery and trees
• Some damage to poorly constructed signs
• Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage

• Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 knots or 154-177 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal
• Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings
• Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down
• Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers
• Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center
• Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings
• Hurricane Frances of 2004 made landfall over the southern end of Hutchinson Island, Florida as a Category 2 hurricane
• Hurricane Isabel of 2003 made landfall near Drum Inlet on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane

• Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 knots or 178-209 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally 9-12 feet above normal
• Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures
• Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down
• Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed
• Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane
• Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris
• Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more
• Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required

• Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 knots or 210-249 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally 13-18 feet above normal
• More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences
• Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down
• Complete destruction of mobile homes
• Extensive damage to doors and windows
• Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane
• Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore
• Terrain lower than 10 feet above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km)

• Winds greater than 155 mph (135 knots or 249 km/hr)
• Storm surge generally greater than 18 feet above normal
• Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings
• Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away
• All shrubs, trees and signs blown down
• Complete destruction of mobile homes
• Severe and extensive window and door damage
• Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane
• Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline
• Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required
• Only three Category 5 Hurricanes have made landfall in the United States since records began