  Hurricane
Preparedness Plan
Tropical disturbance: An area of disturbed weather in the
tropics that has the potential to develop into a tropical
storm
Tropical depression: A closed, low-pressure circulation at
the ocean's surface in the tropics with winds below 39 MPH
Tropical storm: A closed, low-pressure circulation at the
ocean's surface in the tropics with winds from 39 to 73 MPH
Hurricane: A closed, low-pressure circulation in the tropics
with winds in excess of 74 MPH
Small craft advisory: Small boats should stay out of the
Gulf
Gale warning: Winds in the range 55-74 MPH are expected
Hurricane watch: Hurricane-force winds may strike this area
within 24-36 hours
Hurricane warning: Hurricane-force winds and high tides may
strike this area in less than 24 hours
Hurricane Scale
Hurricanes are rated on a numerical scale called the Saffir/Simpson
Hurricane Scale:
- Winds 74-95 MPH, storm surge 4-5 feet above normal high
tide: Not damaging to buildings. Danger to mobile homes,
shrubbery, and trees.
- Winds 96-110 MPH, storm surge 6-8 feet above normal high
tide: Some damage to roofs, doors, and windows. Considerable
damage to mobile homes, vegetation, and small piers. Small
craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
- Winds 111-130 MPH, storm surge 9-12 feet above normal
high tide: Some structural damage to residences and outbuildings.
Mobile homes are destroyed. Damage by flood-driven debris
is likely. Land less than 5 feet above sea level may be
flooded as much as 8 miles inland. At this point, travel
out of the west end would be impossible.
- Winds 131-155 MPH, storm surge 13-18 feet above normal
high tide: Extensive wall and roof damage. Major beach erosion.
Land less than 10 feet above sea level may be flooded as
much as 6 miles inland. At this point, the entire west end
would be under water.
- Winds above 155 MPH, storm surge greater than 18 feet
above normal high tide: Extensive structural damage. Flooding
as much as 10 miles inland. The 1900 storm was probably
a category 5 hurricane.
This scale does not take into account tornados, which may be
spawned by category 3-5 storms with winds exceeding 200 MPH.
Much of the damage caused by Alicia was due to tornados.
Named Storms
Tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico are are named according
to a six-year cycle agreed to by international treaty. The
names for 2005 are:
| Arlene |
Harvey |
Ophelia |
| Bret |
Irene |
Philippe |
| Cindy |
Jose |
Rita |
| Dennis |
Katrina |
Stan |
| Emily |
Lee |
Tammy |
| Franklin |
Maria |
Vince |
| Gert |
Nate |
Wilma |
|
