Hurricane season for the Atlantic basin begins today, June 1, 2016, and runs through November 30, 2016. We have already had two named storms and most predictions point to an above average expectation for hurricanes in 2016. Florida has been on a bit of a winning streak in recent years having gone just over 10 years without a category 3 or higher storm (Wilma in October 2005). Many of us have moved to Florida in that period since the last major hurricane struck and may need a refresher on what risk this time of year brings to our doorsteps.
What does a typical hurricane season look like?
Based on historical weather records dating back to 1950, the Atlantic region will typically experience 12 tropical storms with sustained winds of 39 mph, of which six turn into hurricanes with winds reaching 74 mph or greater, and three major hurricanes category 3 or higher with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Most of these hurricanes do not make landfall in the United States.
How many hurricanes typically hit Florida?
On average, one to two hurricanes (or more specifically, 1.75 hurricanes) make landfall on the US East coast every year. Of those, 40 percent hit Florida. Since 1851, 37 hurricanes have made direct hits on Florida.
There is little to no correlation between the total number of storms and those that make landfall in any given season. For example, 2010 was an extremely busy season, with 19 named storms and 12 hurricanes. Yet no hurricane, and only one tropical storm, made landfall in the US that year.
What should you do to prepare?
I have attached a couple of pages from a flyer distributed through my employer that are a great reference for storm preparation. Please review and share this detail with your friends and neighbors.
Practice putting up your storm shutters. Know how to do this before you have to do it. Make sure you have all of the tools and hardware necessary for this job organized and ready.
There is also a mobile app available from the City of Jacksonville called “JAXREADY” that will help you monitor weather threats and plan for evacuation in the event of a natural disaster.
Link: http://www.coj.net/mobile-apps/mobile-ap…
Thanks for reading this far and please be #JAXREADY!
