Safety During Hurricanes

September 2016 Safety Topic

A hurricane (also known as a tropical cyclone) is a storm system that is typically characterized by a low pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce very strong winds and flooding rain. Hurricane season typically begins on June 1st in the Atlantic and ends on November 30th of every year.

Tropical Storm vs. Hurricane

  • Tropical storms generally have a wind speed within the range of 36 to 47 mph while hurricanes have a wind speed of at least 74 mph. Hurricanes are divided into five different categories, based on the strength and severity of the storm. Hurricanes classified as category 5 are the most devastating and catastrophic.
  • Hurricane Sandy (also known as Superstorm Sandy) was the last major hurricane to hit the New York City area in recent years. On October 29, 2012 Hurricane Sandy made landfall near Atlantic City, NJ as a category 2 storm and brought with it record storm surges which brought major flooding, power outages and left an estimated damage total for the city of $32 billion in damage. About 53 people died in the New York City area as a result of Superstorm Sandy.

Safety Tips during Hurricanes:

  • At home, take inside loose, lightweight objects, such as tools, lawn furniture, and garbage cans.
  • Prepare a Household Disaster Plan that should outline the following:
    • What to do, how to find family members, and how to communicate if a hurricane strikes. (See a member of the Compliance team for assistance in developing a Household Disaster Plan.)
  • Sign up with Notify NYC to receive emergency notifications and updates via email or text messaging.
  • Find out about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs and make plans for your pets to be cared for.