Terminology & Communications
Terminology:
1. Hurricane - When a tropical storm has winds reaching 74 miles per hour or more.
2. Hurricane Watch - A watch covers a specified geographic area and indicates that a hurricane may threaten the area within 36 hours.
3. Hurricane Warning - A hurricane is scheduled to hit a designated geographical area within 24 hours or less.
4. Eye - The relatively calm area near the centre of the storm, which can last for several minutes to an hour or more. It sometimes ends very suddenly as winds return from the opposite direction, often with greater force.
5. Storm Surge - Strong winds associated with hurricanes cause the sea level to rise above tidal heights with giant wind driven waves and unpredictable, unstable currents sometimes extending over 50 miles.
Communications Channels:
- If you have a radio, check it before the storm hits and ensure there are spare batteries
- Listen to weather reports issued by local authorities when updates are scheduled
