Understanding Hurricane Florence and the Impact on the Raleigh Area

9/11/2018 (Permalink)

Hurricanes Like Florence Can Be Extremely Dangerous, Be Prepared.

SERVPRO Advises All Residents to Heed the Hurricane Instructions from National and Local Authorities

September is the peak of hurricane season in the United States, even as Hurricane Florence heads towards the coast of the Carolinas. When it comes to being prepared for a tropical storm, and knowing what to do when one hits, it is essential for you to understand the nature of a hurricane. Understanding the basics about hurricanes can help you avoid injury during a storm and can give you the necessary knowledge to consider all the aspects while preparing your home for one.
 
So what is a hurricane?
When the winds of a tropically-based ocean storm hit seventy-four miles per hour, it is considered a hurricane. Hurricanes can strike Raleigh and the Wake Forest area this time around. They are low-pressure tropical cyclones that come from the Atlantic Basin, forming over tropical or subtropical waters where the heated water fuels the air currents. Additionally, they can be accompanied by thunderstorms, and in this case up to 30 inches of rain.
 
They are known for their characteristically intense and high-speed winds that are more than capable of doing property damage. Furthermore, the rain they bring can be so intense that it has the power to cause flooding in addition to deadly coastal storm surges. Stack this on top of a high tide, and the volume of water can cause catastrophic results. A Cat 4 or Cat 5 hurricane can submerge homes entirely in the area that they strike. EVACUATION. EVACUATION. If you are directed by the authorities, do not hesitate.
 
Hurricanes start at winds of seventy-four miles per hour, but they do not cap at that rate. There is a Category 4 rating that marks the destructive force of hurricane winds called the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The scale measures the storm by giving it a number, one through five. A category one hurricane is a storm that has the least potential for damage, while a category five is the most dangerous and has the highest potential for damage. There is an exponential destructive potential between the numbers.
 
The rating of a hurricane is still only a number. Prepare, have your property secured as much as possible, have an emergency kit at hand, and prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

Remember, safety first for you and your family. In the aftermath, you can call SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest for help with water and debris removal. Our SERVPRO franchises also offer Storm Disaster Recovery Teams to help. (919) 790-1222

NC prepares for a potentially destructive Hurricane Florence.