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The 2025 hurricane season starts today, June 1, and hurricane predictions are high. Having a basic understanding of what to do in the event of a storm or tropical system can save your life. As we enter the 2025 hurricane season, this knowledge can significantly improve your safety and preparedness. First and foremost, you should know that hurricanes are dangerous. Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes to make landfall in the United States. The storm made landfall on August 5, 2005, and killed more than 1,800 people. I am a survivor of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The lessons I learned from that event remain highly relevant today as the 2025 hurricane season unfolds.
What is a hurricane?
A hurricane is a significant weather phenomenon that develops over warm tropical waters. The 2025 hurricane season is expected to be active; these powerful storms originate from tropical waves. A tropical wave is a low-pressure system that intensifies shower and thunderstorm activity. Consequently, as this system migrates westward across tropical waters, warm ocean air begins to rise. This results in the formation of low pressure beneath it. This low pressure causes more air to flow in, further intensifying the system. As the hot air rises and subsequently cools, clouds and thunderstorms form. The water vapor within these clouds condenses into droplets. This process releases additional heat, further fueling the storm system.
How are hurricanes categorized?
When wind speeds within such a storm reach 74 mph, it becomes a hurricane. The terms “hurricane” and “tropical cyclone” refer to the same kind of storm. Both are rotating, organized systems of clouds and thunderstorms that originate over tropical or subtropical waters and have closed, low-level circulation. So, understanding these categories is essential as we navigate the 2025 hurricane season.
The National Weather Service uses the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to measure the wind velocity and strength of a storm. These are the categories of hurricanes:bec
Category 1 storm
When winds reach 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr), a storm becomes a category one hurricane. However, it is considered a dangerous storm. Also, winds could damage your home’s roof, shingles, gutters, and vinyl siding. Additionally, tree branches snap, and winds uproot old or shallow-rooted trees. Power line damage will result in power outages.
Category 2
Winds of 96 to 110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr) are category two storms. A storm of this caliber could damage your roof and siding. Expect near-total power loss that could last from several days to weeks.
Category 3
A category three storm is 111-129 mph (96-112 kt or 178-208 km/hr). Your home will sustain significant damage to your roof. The destructive winds could remove it entirely. Winds of this speed will snap and uproot trees, blocking roads. You will have no water or electricity for several days, or even weeks.
Category 4
When wind speed and velocity reach 130-156 mph (113-136 kt or 209-251 km/hr), it is a category four storm. Your home will incur severe damage. You will lose most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. These high winds will snap or uproot trees and power poles. If you live in a rural area, you could be without power for weeks or possibly months.
Category 5
When winds reach 157 mph (137 kt or higher or 252 km/hr or higher), it is a category five hurricane. High winds and flood waters will cause catastrophic damage and destroy many homes. Many will have total roof failure and collapsed walls. Fallen trees, power lines, and poles will isolate residential areas for months. Most places in the storm’s path will be uninhabited for weeks or even months.
What risks and hazards do these weather phenomena present?
Hurricanes are unpredictable, and no two are alike. You should think twice before deciding to “hunker down and ride out” a storm. Staying in a hurricane will put you at risk of death. Here are some hazards associated with hurricanes.
Water Hazard
- Flooding: Hurricanes are super-sized wind events. Intense rainfall associated with hurricanes can cause significant flooding miles away from the coast.
- Flash flooding happens when rain falls in volumes that pumping systems cannot handle. Flooded roads and highways can make traveling and evacuation difficult, if not impossible.
- Floodwater can contain chemicals, debris, harmful bacteria, and sewage.
- The risk of being swept away by floodwaters and drowning.
Storm Surge
- Historically, storm surges have been the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States. Storm surges can submerge coastal areas, causing widespread flooding and structural damage to homes and buildings. Storm surge is also responsible for washing away roads.
Wind Hazard
- Depending on the storm’s category, high winds are a serious hazard. Wind can turn objects like garbage cans and flower pots into missiles. These flying objects can cause significant damage to your home and injury to your body. The stronger the storm, the greater the potential for wind damage.
- Hurricanes spawn tornadoes. Although a tornado is generally weaker and shorter-lived than a hurricane, it can still cause severe damage. A tornado lasting thirty seconds can do as much, if not more, damage than a hurricane that lasts several hours.
What should you do to prepare for the 2025 storm season?
Develop a plan – You should start preparing for a hurricane at least 48 hours before. It is crucial to have a plan in place before a storm approaches.
Your plan should include:
- A safe room within your home or a designated storm shelter, if you choose to stay at home
- An evacuation plan
- A hurricane disaster kit containing essential items such as food, water, medications, and first-aid supplies
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items like hand sanitizer, toilet paper
- A communication plan to stay in touch with family and friends
Secure your home
Whether you leave or stay at home for a hurricane, secure your home. To protect your home from hurricane damage and vandalism, you should:
- Reinforce windows and doors with storm shutters or plywood.
- Secure trash cans, outdoor furniture, and decorations, including flower pots and wind chimes, to prevent them from becoming projectiles that could cause harm.
- Trim weak or rotted tree branches near your home to minimize damage.
Hurricane season is here. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2025 hurricane season is above normal. For this reason, you should have a hurricane plan in place. If you live in an area that may be affected by a storm, be prepared. Don’t become a casualty of a hurricane this season.
