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  • Only coastal areas are at risk from hurricanes.
    While the drama of a hurricane crashing into a coastal area makes compelling front page news, the effects are felt far inland. In fact, strong winds, heavy rain, tornadoes, and inland flooding can spread hundreds of miles from the coast, leaving extensive damage and death in their wake. Estimates by the National Hurricane Center of the effects of Tropical Storm Allison on the city of Houston, far removed from where the storm made landfall, is estimated at $4.8 billion.
  • A storm surge is the deadliest part of a hurricane.
    A storm surge is a wall of water pushed ashore as the center of a hurricane moves on land. While a storm surge can be deadly, more people die from inland flooding and flash floods of rivers and streams because they underestimate the power of moving water.
  • The upper floors of an apartment or condominium are a safe place to ride out a storm.
    This is called "vertical evacuation," and it's a bad idea. Wind speed increases the higher you go, which can blow out window and rip off siding. Plus, rising water could cause structural damage to the lower levels. If that's not enough, high winds and rising water make rescue nearly impossible.

HEADLINES

Ida Now a Tropical Depression

Ida Now a Tropical Depression

Ida has now weakened to a tropical depression. The storm made landfall in Nicaragua yesterday and will continue moving through eastern Honduras today. 

Tropical Storm Grace Blows Far Out in Atlantic

Tropical Storm Grace Blows Far Out in Atlantic

Tropical Storm Grace is rushing across the northeastern Atlantic Ocean but should be absorbed within a day by a front.

Tropical Storm Nora Strengthens in Pacific

Tropical Storm Nora Strengthens in Pacific

Tropical Storm Nora is strengthening in the open Pacific far off Mexico's coast, but the system is not expected to threaten land.

Fred

Fred

Fred is a tropical storm at this point and will be weakening even more over the weekend.

Tropical Storm Erika

Tropical Storm Erika

Erika is still just barely a tropical storm. The system is expected to weaken over the next several days into a tropical depression as it moves off to the west/northwest.

Tropical Atlantic Activity Diminishes

Tropical Atlantic Activity Diminishes

Danny remains stationary and is just barely a tropical storm. Another area of showers and thunderstorms in the Central Atlantic is piquing interest.

Bill Continues to Weaken...

Bill Continues to Weaken...

Bill has weakened to a tropical storm as of 5am this morning. The storm will continue to fall apart as it moves off to the northeast into even cooler waters.

Tropical Storms Ana and Bill Form In Atlantic

Tropical Storms Ana and Bill Form In Atlantic

MIAMI (AP) -- A new tropical depression has formed over the Atlantic behind Tropical Storm Ana and both are expected to slowly strengthen over the next couple of days.

Guillermo Could Strengthen to Hurricane in Pacific

Guillermo Could Strengthen to Hurricane in Pacific

Forecasters say they're expecting Tropical Storm Guillermo to strengthen to a hurricane as it moves farther out to sea in the Pacific.

Tropical Depressions Swirl in Atlantic, Pacific

Tropical Depressions Swirl in Atlantic, Pacific

A tropical depression in the Atlantic has yet to strengthen but forecasters say it could become a tropical storm in the next few days.

Forecasters Lower Atlantic Hurricane Outlook

Forecasters Lower Atlantic Hurricane Outlook

Government forecasters are lowering their outlook for this Atlantic hurricane season after a quiet start with no named storms so far.

Felicia Becomes Major Hurricane Over Pacific

Felicia Becomes Major Hurricane Over Pacific

Hurricane Felicia is a major storm after gaining strength far out in the Pacific.

Andres Weakens to Tropical Depression in Pacific

Andres Weakens to Tropical Depression in Pacific

Andres has weakened to a tropical depression a day after becoming the first hurricane of the Eastern Pacific season.

Season's 1st Tropical Depression Forms in Pacific

Season's 1st Tropical Depression Forms in Pacific

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the depression was centered about 215 miles south-southwest of the coastal city of Mazatlan at 5 a.m. Pacific time.

How Cell Phone Companies Prepare for Hurricane Season

How Cell Phone Companies Prepare for Hurricane Season

When the power is out and phone lines are down, your cell phone can be the only means of communication you have left.

Five Supplies That May Not Be in Your Hurricane Kit

Five Supplies That May Not Be in Your Hurricane Kit

The six-month hurricane season begins Monday, and as you put together your family's supply kit, you may want to include these five items that aren't normally on government lists.

Season Starts: Most Not Prepared for a Hurricane

Season Starts: Most Not Prepared for a Hurricane

Though 2008 produced five major hurricanes, a survey has found that a majority of residents living in U.S. coastal states have made no preparations for the hurricane season

Preparing Your Home During Storm Season

Preparing Your Home During Storm Season

Arthur and Lynn Hiscox have lived in their home for 10 years. They've also learned a thing or two about preparing their home for hurricane season.

FEMA Rolls Out New Disaster Housing Options

FEMA Rolls Out New Disaster Housing Options

Federal officials are rolling out new mobile homes for disaster victims to replace the much-criticized travel trailers used in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Hurricane Season Sparks Anxieties

Hurricane Season Sparks Anxieties

This year should be slightly less busy than last year, when 16 named storms formed in the Atlantic, eight of which were hurricanes and nine of which made landfall.

Obama Warns People to Prepare for Hurricanes

Obama Warns People to Prepare for Hurricanes

Hurricane season officially begins Monday.

FEMA May Put Evacuees in Foreclosed Homes

FEMA May Put Evacuees in Foreclosed Homes

Florida is being considered as a model for how the federal government deals with hurricane evacuees.

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Tips for Protecting Yourself in Advance of a Storm

  • Conduct a home inventory recording each of your possessions. It?s also helpful to keep track of model numbers and stores where items were purchased. Store your inventory, including photos and videos, in a safe place away from your home.
  • Develop an evacuation plan that includes identification of safe areas, escape routes, meeting locations and plans for pets.
  • Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit including a three-day supply of water, non-perishable food, radio and batteries, flashlight and first-aid kit.
  • Remove any diseased and damaged limbs from trees to keep them from blowing around during a storm and causing a wind hazard or property damage
  • Purchase materials such as 3/4" plywood that can be used to reinforce your windows, doors and garage doors. Install anchors and pre-drill holes for the plywood so you can install them quickly in the event of a storm.
  • Install head and foot bolts in doors for extra protection.
  • Minimize your losses

  • Review your home insurance policy and coverage limits with an agent. Know what you are and are not covered for in the event of a hurricane.
  • Find out if you have comprehensive car coverage. This will usually reimburse you for damage to your car caused by falling objects or flood.
  • Gather important documents such as insurance policies, birth certificates and identification. Make sure to place them in a waterproof container.

HURRICANE WATCH

Click to expand STORM TRACKER

Click to expand HOW TO PREPARE

Click to expand AFTER THE STORM

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Ana
Bill
Claudette
Danny
Erika
Fred
Grace
Henri
Ida
Joaquin
Kate

Larry
Mindy
Nicholas
Odette
Peter
Rose
Sam
Teresa
Victor
Wanda