What is a Hurricane? A hurricane is a tropical cyclone in which winds reach speeds of 74 miles per hour or more and blow in a large spiral around a relatively calm center. The eye of the storm is usually 20-30 miles wide and may extend over 400 miles. The dangers of the storm include torrential rains, high winds and storm surges. It produces measurable damage from heavy rainfalls, winds, and flooding. High winds are a primary cause of hurricane-inflicted loss of life and property damage. Another cause is the flooding resulting from the coastal storm surge of the ocean and the torrential rains, both of which accompany the storm. To decrease such damage several unsuccessful programs have studied ways to "defuse" hurricanes in their developing stages; more recent hurricane damage-mitigation steps have included better warning systems involving real-time satellite imagery. A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds greater than 74 mph/119 kph or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.

When Are Hurricanes Most Likely? Hurricane season begins on June 1 and continues through the end of November. August and September are peak months during hurricane season.

Who Is Most At Risk? People who live along the coast are most at risk due to storm surge. Inland areas can also be affected by high winds, floods, and tornadoes spurned by the hurricane.

What Causes a Hurricane? Hurricanes can develop when the sun's rays heat tropical waters to at least 82 degrees Fahrenheit. This causes the air to grow warmer and rise. Water rises with it as vapor, and the heat causes the air to rise faster and faster. In about 12 hours, the

heated air will begin to circle counterclockwise, forming stronger and stronger winds that whirl with increasing speed. A wind becomes a hurricane when it reaches speeds of more than 74 miles (120 km) per hour. The moist, hot winds of a hurricane swirl upward around a calm column of low-pressure air known as the eye. Some hurricanes can develop more than one eye, but the largest is always the main eye and measures an average of 15 miles across. Inside the eye there are no storm clouds, almost no wind, and calm conditions. The rising winds rotate in increasingly tight spirals around the eye, rising faster and faster. Cooler air is also sucked in, heated, and sent twisting up the eye. When the hot air rises high enough, it cools and forms water droplets that cluster together as clouds and drop rain. The rain is blown around by fierce winds. As a hurricane moves, it churns up the sea beneath the eye, sucking ocean water up and creating huge ocean waves. The raised water is carried along by the storm to the shore.

What is the Risk of Hurricanes in New England? Southern New England is in the unenviable position of receiving all three-hurricane threats: • • •

Coastal inundation due to the storm surge. Widespread wind damage. Widespread inland small stream and river flooding due to torrential rains.

The strongest hurricanes, such as the great New England hurricane of 1938, have brought severe damage to coastal locations, while totally disrupting utility power for days across the interior from downed trees and high winds. Both the stronger hurricanes and several of the weaker tropical storms have caused inland river flooding in various parts of New England. History clearly shows that everyone living in southern New England must take tropical storms and hurricanes seriously. Whether you live along the coast, by a river or stream, or far inland, a tropical storm or hurricane striking New England will have a great impact on you and your local area. Whenever a tropical storm or hurricane strikes, tune in the NOAA weather radio for the latest information, 24 hours a day.

History of Hurricanes in New England Since 1900, thirty-nine tropical systems have impacted New England. Twenty-five were hurricanes, while fourteen were tropical storm strength. Any tropical storm or hurricane is capable of bringing a combination of high winds, large storm surges and severe inland flooding along rivers and streams. Of the 24 hurricanes, 9 made landfall along the southern New England coast. Of those 9 hurricanes, 7 of them were either of category 2 or 3 intensity based on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Though the primary threat to New England is during August and September, the region has been affected as early as June, and as late as mid October. The worst hurricane to affect New England was the great New England hurricane of 1938, which struck on September 21st. The great New England hurricane of 1938 struck at high tide, which coincided with the highest astronomical tide of the year, pushing a storm surge of 12 to 15 feet across the south coast and up the many bays and inlets including Narragansett and Buzzards Bays. Winds over 120 mph blew across the coastal regions. The Blue Hill observatory in Milton MA recorded a sustained 5-minute wind of 121 mph and a peak gust to 186 mph. Parts of interior Connecticut and Massachusetts not only bore the brunt of high winds, but also experienced severe river flooding as rain from the hurricane combined with heavy rains earlier that week produced rainfall totals of up to 17 inches. This resulted in some of the worst river flooding ever experienced in parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts. This powerful storm caused 564 deaths and over 1700 injuries. Nearly 9000 homes and businesses were destroyed with over 15000 damaged. The boating community was equally devastated with 2600 boats destroyed and 3300 damaged. It is not uncommon for New England to be impacted more than once in a given season. The area has been impacted by two or more tropical storms or hurricanes in one season a total of 11 times. The most notable season was 1954, when hurricanes Carol, Edna, and Hazel impacted the region.

Name Hurricane of 1635 Hurricane of 1778 Hurricane of 1804 Gale of 1815 Hurricane of 1869 Hurricane of 1938 Hurricane Carol Hurricane Donna Hurricane Gloria Hurricane Bob

1635 - 1991 Event Date August, 1635 October 18-19, 1778 October 9, 1804 September 23, 1815 September 8, 1869 September 21, 1938 September, 1954 September, 1960 September 28,1985 August, 1991

Wind Speed 40 - 75mph >50 mph 186 mph (max) >70 mph >60 mph

How to Plan for a Hurricane • •

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Talk to your insurance agent. Homeowners' policies do not cover flooding from hurricanes. Ask about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Ask about your community's hurricane preparedness plan. The local emergency management office or local chapter of the American Red Cross should be able to provide you with details of this plan, including information on the safest evacuation routes, nearby shelters, advice on when schools would be closed and what conditions are necessary for recommended evacuation of certain areas. Develop an evacuation plan. Everyone in your family should know where to go if they have to leave. Trying to make plans at the last minute can be upsetting and create confusion. Determine where to move your boat in an emergency. Marinas and other storage facilities may fill up quickly. Some locations may have less risk of damage than others. You may be required to secure your boat well in advance of approaching hurricanes. Discuss hurricanes with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing

hurricanes ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety, and lets everyone know how to respond. Review flood safety and preparedness measures with your family.

How to Protect Your Property •

Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a storm. A list will help you remember anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds. Hurricane winds, often in excess of 100 miles per hour, can turn unanchored items into deadly missiles, causing damage or injury when they hit.

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Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased or damaged limbs, then strategically remove branches so that wind can blow through. Hurricane winds frequently break weak limbs and hurl them at great speed, causing great damage when they hit property. Debris collection services may not be operating just before a storm, so it is best to do this well in advance of approaching storms.

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Remove any debris or loose items in your yard. Hurricane winds can pick up anything unsecured, creating damage to property when the debris hits.

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Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. Hurricanes often bring long periods of heavy rain. Providing clear drainage will help prevent misdirected flooding.

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Install permanent hurricane shutters. Hurricane shutters provide the best protection for your windows and doors. Taping windows could take critical time from more effective preparedness measures. All tape does is help prevent glass from broken windows from scattering all over inside. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. Cover the outside of windows with shutters or plywood.

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If you do not have permanent hurricane shutters, install anchors for plywood (marine plywood is best) and pre-drill holes in precut half-inch outdoor plywood boards so that you can cover the windows of your home quickly. Mark which board fits which window. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended. Most homes destroyed during recent hurricanes had no window protection. When wind enters a home through broken windows, the pressure builds against the walls and can lift roofs, followed by collapsing walls.

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Install protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Glass doors are as vulnerable as windows to breakage by wind-driven objects.

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Well ahead of time, buy any other items needed to board up windows and protect your home. When a hurricane threatens, supplies are quickly sold out at many stores. Stock may not be replenished until after the storm.

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Strengthen garage doors. Many houses are destroyed by hurricane winds that enter through damaged garage doors, lifting roofs, and destroying the remainder of the house. Have an engineer check your home and advise about ways to make it more resistant to hurricane winds. There are a variety of ways to protect your home. Professionals can advise you of engineering requirements, building permits or requirements of local planning and zoning departments to provide the most effective protection.

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Elevate coastal homes. Raising houses to a certain height will make them more resistant to hurricane-driven waters. There may be many local codes affecting how and where homes can be elevated. Meet with your emergency manager or planning and zoning official for a description of the process to have your home elevated. There may also be community funds available for such measures.

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If you live in a flood plain or are prone to flooding, also follow flood preparedness precautions. Hurricanes can bring great amounts of rain and frequently cause floods. Some hurricanes have dropped more than 10 inches of rain in just a few hours.

What To Do In The Event Of A Hurricane INDOORS •

Stay away from windows and doors even if they are covered.

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Go to the basement. If there is no basement, go to an interior part of the structure on the lowest level: closets, interior hallway and bathrooms.

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Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors.

IN A CAR

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Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.

OUTDOORS •

Get inside. Wind blown items can cause serious injury.

Items You Should Stock WATER at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days FOOD at least enough for 3 to 7 days non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices foods for infants or the elderly snack foods non-electric can opener cooking tools/fuel paper plates/plastic utensils BLANKETS/PILLOWS, ETC. CLOTHING seasonal/rain gear/sturdy shoes FIRST AID KIT/MEDICINES/PERSCRIPTION DRUGS SPECIAL ITEMS for babies and the elderly TOILETRIES/HYGIENE ITEMS/MOISTURE WIPES FLASHLIGHT/BATTERIES RADIO Battery operated NOAA weather radio CASH Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods.

KEYS TOYS, BOOKS AND GAMES IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS in a waterproof container insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. TOOLS keep a set with you during the storm PET CARE ITEMS proper identification/immunization records/medications ample supply of food and water a carrier or cage muzzle and leash

SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE CATEGORY

1 2

WIND SPEED

74-95 mph

WHAT TO EXPECT NO REAL DAMAGE TO BUILDING STRUCTURES. DAMAGE PRIMARILY TO UNANCHORED MOBILE HOMES, SHRUBBERY, AND TREES. SOME COASTAL ROAD FLOODING AND MINOR PIER DAMAGE MAY OCCUR.

SOME ROOFING MATERIAL, DOOR, AND WINDOW DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO VEGETATION, MOBILE HOMES, AND PIERS. COASTAL AND 96-110 mph LOW-LYING ESCAPE ROUTES FLOOD 2-4 HOURS BEFORE ARRIVAL OF CENTER. SMALL CRAFT IN UNPROTECTED ANCHORAGES BREAK MOORINGS. SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO SMALL RESIDENCES

3

111-130 mph

AND UTILITY BUILDINGS WITH A MINOR AMOUNT OF CURTAIN WALL FAILURES. MOBILE HOMES ARE DESTROYED. FLOODING NEAR THE COAST DESTROYS SMALLER STRUCTURES WITH LARGER STRUCTURES DAMAGED BY FLOATING DEBRIS. TERRAIN

CONTINUOUSLY LOWER THAN 5 FEET BOVE SEA LEVEL MAY BE FLOODED INLAND 8 MILES OR MORE.

MORE EXTENSIVE CURTAIN WALL FAILURES WITH SOME

4

131-155 mph

COMPLETE ROOF STRUCTURE FAILURE ON SMALL RESIDENCES. MAJOR EROSION OF BEACH. MAJOR DAMAGE TO LOWER FLOORS OF STRUCTURES NEAR THE SHORE. TERRAIN CONTINUOUSLY LOWER THAN 10 FEET ASL MAY BE FLOODED REQUIRING MASSIVE EVACUATION OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS INLAND AS FAR AS 6 MILES.

COMPLETE ROOF FAILURE ON MANY RESIDENCES AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS. SOME COMPLETE BUILDING

5

155 mph +

FAILURES WITH SMALL UTILITY BUILDINGS BLOWN OVER OR AWAY. MAJOR DAMAGE TO LOWER FLOORS OF ALL STRUCTURES LOCATED LESS THAN 15 FEET ASL AND WITHIN 500 YARDS OF THE SHORELINE. MASSIVE EVACUATION OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS ON LOW GROUND WITHIN 5 TO 10 MILES OF THE SHORELINE MAY BE REQUIRED.

ATLANTIC HURRICANE NAMES Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center and now maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization. Experience shows that the use of short, distinctive given names in written as well as spoken communications is quicker and less subject to error than the older more cumbersome latitude-longitude identification methods. These advantages are especially important in exchanging detailed storm information between hundreds of widely scattered stations, coastal bases, and ships at sea. The lists featured only women's names until 1979, when men's and women's names were alternated. Six lists are used in rotation; the 2006 list will be used again in 2012. The only time that there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm

would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, the offending name is removed from the list and replaced by the WMO committee. 2006 Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sandy Tony Valerie William

2007

2008

2009

Andrea Barry Chantal Dean Erin Felix Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Noel Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy

Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gustav Hanna Ike Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paloma Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred

Ana Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fred Grace Henri Ida Joaquin Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda

2010 Alex Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston Hermine Igor Julia Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tomas Virginie Walter

2011 Arlene Bret Cindy Don Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irene Jose Katia Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rina Sean Tammy Vince Whitney

For more information, please contact the City of New Haven Office of Emergency Management, 200 Orange Street, New Haven, CT 06510 203.946.8224 or [email protected]