7/31/2019 Hurricane Info from the America Red Cross
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When a hurricane is headed your way, follow
your post orders and directions from the
appropriate authorities. If you are ordered to
evacuate, go. And stay away until authorities
inform you it is safe to return.
If you are not ordered to evacuate, stay indoors
in a designated safe place away from windows
and exterior doors until officials declare the
storm is over. Do not go outside, even if the
weather appears to have cleared the calm
eye of the storm can pass quickly, leaving you
outside when strong winds resume.
Details from the American Red Cross for what to
do before, during and after a hurricane can be
found on the third page of this issue. You can
also visit these Web sites for additional hurricane
safety information:
www.ready.gov/hurricanes
www.weather.gov
www.emergency.cdc.gov
current storm information. You could also
arrange for NWS alerts to be sent directly to
your phone, PC or other device to keep you
up-to-date on the latest conditions.
As peak hurricane season looms, knowing the
terms that meteorologists use when forecasting
tropical weather can also help you navigate
hurricane hazards:
Tropical Cyclone: Generic term for a low
pressure system that forms in the tropics,
composed of powerful thunderstorms and
wind circulation. When sustained winds are 38
mph or less, it is called a tropical depression.
Tropical Storm/Named Storm: A tropical
cyclone with maximum sustained wind speed
ranging from 39 mph to 73 mph.
Hurricane: A tropical cyclone in which the
maximum sustained wind speed is 74 mph or
higher. Category 1 (74-95 mph) and 2
(96-110 mph) storms are dangerous and can
cause extensive damage to property, homes,
roads and trees.
Major Hurricane: Hurricane with sustained
winds of 111 mph or more. These are Category
3 and higher hurricanes with the potential for
signicant loss of life and property.
Storm surge: Water that is pushed toward the
shore by the force of winds swirling around the
storm. The surge combines with the normal
tides to cause an abnormal rise in sea level
which can reach heights over 20 feet and can
span hundreds of miles of coastline.
Watches and Warnings
A hurricane watch is announced when hurricane
conditions are possible in the area. A watch isissued 48 hours
in advance of the anticipated
onset of storm-force winds. When hurricane
conditions are expected in the area, a hurricane
warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the
anticipated onset.
A tropical storm watch is announced when a
storm with sustained winds of 39-73 mph is
possible in the area within 48 hours. A tropical
storm warning is issued when tropical storm
conditions are expected within 36 hours.
Short-term watches and warnings provide
detailed information about specic hurricane
threats, such as ash oods and tornadoes.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not
contain Securitas USAs complete policy and procedures.
For more information, contact your Securitas USA supervisor or
account manager. www.securitasinc.com
Blowing in the Wind
