What Is A Hurricane Local Statement And What Does It Mean?

During a hurricane, the local National Weather Service will release a statement that details key information about the hurricane.

This is a very important statement and it is essential that you know what it is and what it means.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about a hurricane statement, as well as give you some guidance on how to act during a hurricane.

WHAT IS A HURRICANE STATEMENT?

A hurricane statement is a message that is sent out by your local forecast office. It is an emergency message that will give you information on the hurricane.

If you are in an area near to a hurricane, you should keep up to date with your local National Weather Service, as this is where you will have access to key information about a hurricane.

You will get information about the storm’s location, the intensity of the storm and how much of an impact the storm is expected to have.

You should always pay close attention to these statements and follow any advice closely.

Never ignore the warnings that are given out in a hurricane statement as this could put you and the people around you at risk.

WHAT INFORMATION IS GIVEN IN A HURRICANE STATEMENT?

If you receive a hurricane statement for your local area, it will include information about the hurricane.

It will usually include the following information:

• The intensity of the hurricane.
• The forecasted route of the hurricane and the areas it is expected to pass through.
• Expected impacts of the hurricane and how it will affect these areas.

What To Expect?

Part 1

In the top part of a hurricane statement, you should expect to see information about the hurricane statement itself.

For instance, you will see information about where it was issued and a summary of the key points.

Part 2

In the next section of the report, you will see any new information that has been issued in this version of the report.

This means that you will always see any of the new information first, making sure that any warnings or changes aren’t missed.

This means that you don’t have to read through the whole statement before you see any of the information that you would need immediately.

Part 3

After this, you will be informed of the highlights of the storm and the effects that it is having on the area.

You will then be given detailed information about certain areas of the hurricane. These include:

The Surge

This will tell you all about the potential flooding impacts of the storm and any surge depths. It will detail any of the expected damage.

The Winds

You will receive information about the winds and the damage that is expected to be caused by them.

Rain

You will then be told about the expected effects of the rain and whether any flooding is expected. If there are any mudslides expected, this will be listed here.

Tornadoes

Hurricanes often come hand in hand with tornadoes. They are a risk during hurricanes.

A local statement will give you information on the likelihood of a tornado in your area.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO FOLLOWING A HURRICANE STATEMENT?

It is essential that you follow the direction that the hurricane statement is giving you.

It is very important that you do this to make sure that you and everyone around you is staying as safe as possible during the extreme weather.

The statement is given for a reason, and you should register and follow the information that is being provided to help you to stay safe during the storm.

It is essential that you stay up-to-date with these forecasts!

HURRICANE STATEMENT COMPARED TO OTHER WEATHER WARNINGS

The local statement that is issued due to a hurricane is the longest weather warning that the National Weather Service releases.

The reason for this is that hurricanes pose a very serious risk to property and life due to the severity of the weather.

Make sure that you read the hurricane statement properly – none of the information is on there for fun. It is all there to be read and properly addressed.

SAFETY TIPS DURING A HURRICANE

If you live in an area that experiences severe hurricanes, it is very important to be prepared during hurricane season.

There are many things that you can do to make sure that you stay as safe as possible during a hurricane.

Evacuate If Necessary

You will have to make sure that you stay in tune with what the authorities are advising you to do. It is very important to be prepared to evacuate at any moment.

As soon as you are ordered to evacuate your home or a local area, make sure that you act quickly and stick to the evacuation routes that have been previously established.

When a hurricane is approaching, make sure that you have everything ready in order to evacuate if it becomes necessary.

Hurricane Proof Your Home

It is important to invest in ensuring that your home is as hurricane-proof as it possibly can be. You should ensure that you have secure windows and doors.

Secure these by installing shutters or plywood to your windows and doors. You should also make sure that any glass doors that you have in your home are braced.

Any loose items that you have outside should always be brought inside so that they don’t fly away. This includes any potted plants and garden furniture.

It is a good idea to protect your house so that as little damage is done to it as possible by the hurricane.

Stay Indoors

If you do not need to evacuate your home, make sure that you stay indoors and don’t go outside.

Stay as far away from the windows and doors as possible. Make sure that you turn off the gas, water and electricity.

If you are told to evacuate, do so as quickly and safely as you can.

Have A Plan

It is very important for each family to have an individual hurricane plan if you live in an area that often experiences them.

Make sure every member of your family knows what to do and is able to stay calm.

Keep Up To Date With Local News

Make sure that you are staying tuned to the local news reports to make sure that you have all the latest information on the hurricane.

You should also keep in tune with the hurricane reports that we have explored above. They will provide you with lots of useful information.

EMERGENCY HURRICANE KIT

Everyone who lives in an area where they are at risk of experiencing a hurricane should have an emergency hurricane kit handy.

It is very important to be prepared in this way as you never know what might happen.

You will need to make sure that you have the following items in your hurricane emergency kit:

Flashlight

You will need to make sure that you have a flashlight because you may have to turn off the electricity.

It is advised that you opt for a fancy flashlight as this can help to ensure that you will always have battery power.

They also sometimes contain signals in them to indicate that you need help.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is a very important item to put in your hurricane emergency kit. You should make sure that you have at least two weeks’ worth of medication that you need.

This is in case you can’t access it if you need to evacuate your home. You should also throw in some tweezers, antibiotic cream, bandaids, and pain killers.

Tool

It is a good idea to have a multitool that contains pliers. This can help you to open up items of food, cut wire or ensure that a screw is secured in place.

Clean Supplies

You should also make sure that you have some dish soap, hand sanitizer and other items that you will need to stay clean.

It is important to keep yourself and the area you are living in clean during the aftermath of a hurricane.

Portable Charger

It is important to include a portable charger in your emergency kit.

This will mean that you are able to use your phone for longer, allowing you to make important calls and stay in touch with your loved ones.

Documents

You never know what you might need, and you should never leave any important documents behind if you can help it!

Make sure to take your passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, and any important medical information with you.

Whistle

If you need to get someone’s attention, there is no better way than a whistle! You can signal without needing any batteries.

Get a loud whistle that is waterproof and will be heard from all around.

Lighter Or Matches

You may not have electricity, so it is important to ensure that you can light a fire.

You will need a durable lighter to make sure that it is simple and easy to start a fire when needed. You will also need:

• Food
• Sandbags (if your area is prone to flooding)

WHAT FOOD WILL YOU NEED TO STOCK UP ON?

When you are preparing for a hurricane to hit, you will need to make sure that you have at least three days’ worth of food and water if you are asked to evacuate.

You will need to plan for at least two weeks if you are required to simply stay home.

It is recommended that you prepare in detail for this, as it is very common that people are unable to leave their homes for this length of time.

Make sure that you pack the following items:

• Water. You will need at least one gallon of water per person every day.
• Cups, utensils and plates. It is a good idea to have some paper plates available so that you can transport them easily.
• Can opener.
• Canned foods that will not go off quickly.
• Other items that are not perishable, such as beef jerky.

HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE FOR AN EVACUATION CAUSED BY A HURRICANE?

Be Aware Of The Evacuation Route

Make sure that you have an evacuation route planned out that your whole family is aware of. Ensure that everyone is clued up on the evacuation plan.

You should also have an emergency plan. Make sure that the whole family knows what the plan is and understands it. Your plans should not only be for your home.

You should also have a plan for all of the other places that you frequent as you may not be at home when the hurricane hits. Plan for the daycare center, school, and office.

Get Your Supplies Together

Make sure that you have supplies for yourself and everyone in your family. You will need food, water and other necessities.

You will also need to consider the individual needs of your family, ensuring that any medication that is needed is available. You will also need supplies for any pets.

Plan For Disabilities

Make sure that you have taken into account any disability in the planning of your evacuation.

Enlist the help of a support network if needed, and make sure that you have accessible transport for those who need it.

Pets

You will need an emergency plan for your pets if you have them! You will also need to make sure that you have supply kits just for them.

They will also need food and water. You will also need to plan in advance which shelter you will be going to, as you will need to find one that accepts pets.

If you are not home during the hurricane, it is important that a neighbor is able to evacuate your pet for you. Make sure that you have a backup plan in place!

Staying With Family Or Friends

If you plan to stay with family or friends when you evacuate your home, you should make sure that they are comfortable and aware of the plan.

HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR A HURRICANE?

If you have been told that a hurricane is heading towards your area, you will need to make sure that you prepare your home for the hurricane to hit.

You can do this by following the steps below:

• Board up the doors with plywood. Also board up the windows using the same panels.
• If there is a power surge, your electrical devices might get damaged. Unplug all electrical devices to avoid this.
• Turn off your gas, water and electricity. You only have to do this if it is recommended in the local statement.
• Bring any loose items that are outside in. Bring in any garden furniture, potted plants etc.
• Stack sandbags near the doors to make sure that flooding is kept out of the house.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN THE HURRICANE HAS PASSED?

When the hurricane has passed, there are a few things that you should do. These include:

Check In With Loved Ones And Neighbors

When you are safe, make sure that you let your friends and family know that you are safe. Give them a call.

You should also check in on the people around you to make sure that they are safe and well.

Hurricanes can be very scary, so make sure that people’s mental health isn’t suffering either.

Disaster Relief

You may be eligible for government disaster relief which can help you out if the hurricane had a negative effect on your life.

For instance, if your home or business was damaged due to a disaster, the government has programs in place to help you to get back on your feet.

This is also true if you have lost your job due to a disaster. This help will usually come in the form of tax breaks or loans for uninsured home and small business damage.

WILL YOUR HOME INSURANCE COVER HURRICANE DAMAGE?

Home insurance will cover certain damage that is caused by a hurricane.

Most insurance will cover direct physical damage to your home that is caused by a hurricane. It will also cover direct damage to your belongings.

Home insurance will not cover all damage that is caused by a hurricane, though. Often it won’t cover damage that is caused by flooding.

For this, you will be required to take out extra flood insurance. It may also exclude wind damage so you should make sure to check on this.

HOW TO CLAIM ON HOME INSURANCE FOR HURRICANE DAMAGE?

Unfortunately, repairing your home can be a long process.

You will need to take it slowly. In the meantime, you may need to make some temporary repairs to your home to protect your home from any further damage.

If you do this, you should always keep any receipts. In order to claim, follow these steps:

• Let your insurance company know about the damage that the hurricane caused on your home.
• File a damage claim through the insurance company.
• Make sure that you don’t clear up all the damage before someone has come to inspect the home. This will help them to evaluate the damage that was caused by the storm and the way that it was caused.
• Take photos of the damage.

SIGNS OF A HURRICANE

There are a few signs of a hurricane that you can look out for.

The weather office is the place to go for information on when and what to expect from a hurricane, but these signs can also indicate that one is on its way.

The Sea

The demeanor of the sea is a big indicator of an incoming hurricane. Usually, 3 or 4 days before a hurricane hits, the sea will swell.

It will usually swell to about 3 to 6 feet higher than before. The waves will usually also pick up.

Around 24 hours before the hurricane hits, the water will get very rough because of the wind speed.

Winds

Before the hurricane occurs, the pressure in the atmosphere will begin to fall. This will happen around 36 hours before landfall.

After this has happened, winds will increase. When a hurricane is nearby, the winds will be strong enough to carry debris through the air.

This can be very dangerous! Wind speeds often exceed 90 miles per hour during a hurricane. This can move very heavy objects and will often bring down trees.

Sky

The sky is another warning sign that a hurricane is coming. You will usually see cumulus clouds 72 hours before the landfall occurs.

Cirrus clouds will then occur around 36 hours before the hurricane.

Rain

Before the hurricane hits, the rain will start. It will pour, and you will get waters of up to 15 feet.

This is the stage where we can see a lot of flooding. These rains are very heavy and will continue until the hurricane is over.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT DURING HURRICANE SEASON?

During hurricane season, you should be prepared for three big things to happen.

• Widespread damage and disruption that is caused by the hurricane.
• The need to evacuate your home in order to protect yourself.
• Flooding, power outages, and other problems.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Now you should have all the information that you need to understand what a hurricane local statement is and what it means.

It is essential that you don’t ignore these statements as they include life-saving information!