Hurricane Wind Safety
Hurricane winds are one of the most dangerous aspects of these storms! Hurricane winds are based on 5 categories, but even a Category 1 hurricane (winds at 74 mph or more) can destroy buildings and mobile homes. While it is best to evacuate when a hurricane approaches your area, here are some tips for safety before and during high wind risks.
HIGH WIND SAFETY ACTIONS – before hurricane season
- Find out if your home meets current building code requirements for high-winds. Experts agree that structures built to meet or exceed current building code high-wind provisions have a much better chance of surviving violent windstorms. Please visit IBHS (Institute for Business and Home Safety)
- If you do not live in an evacuation zone or a mobile home, designate an interior room with no windows or external doors as a “Safe Room”. Learn how to create a safe room.
- Before hurricane season, assess your property to ensure that landscaping and trees do not become a wind hazard.
– Trim dead wood and weak / overhanging branches from all trees.
– Certain trees and bushes are vulnerable to high winds and any dead tree near a home is a hazard.
– Consider landscaping materials other than gravel/rock.
HIGH WIND SAFETY ACTIONS – as a hurricane approaches
- Most mobile / manufactured homes are not built to withstand hurricane force winds. Residents of homes not meeting that level of safety should relocate to a nearby safer structure once local officials issue a hurricane evacuation order for their community.
- When a hurricane warning is issued for your community, secure or bring inside all lawn furniture and other outside objects that could become a projectile in high winds.
- Listen carefully for safety instructions from local officials, and go to your designated “Safe Room” when directed to do so.
- Monitor NOAA Weather Radio.
- Do not leave your “Safe Room” until directed to do so by local officials, even if it appears that the winds calmed. Remember that there is little to no wind in the eye of a hurricane.
