Hurricanes

Click here for information about protecting your home from hurricane winds.

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone.

There are three types of tropical cyclones:

Tropical Depressions, when maximum sustained winds are less than 39 miles per hour
Tropical Storms, when maximum sustained winds are higher than 39 miles per hour
Hurricane, when maximum sustained winds reach or exceed 74 miles per hour

As maximum sustained winds increase, so does the hurricane’s category.

Category 1: (74 to 95 mph) → very dangerous winds will produce some damage
Category 2: (96 to 110 mph) → extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage
Category 3: (111 to 129 mph) → devastating damage will occur
Category 4: (130 to 156 mph) → catastrophic damage will occur
Category 5: (157 mph or higher) → catastrophic damage will occur

Hurricanes that could threaten Hawaii originate in the eastern North Pacific Ocean and the central North Pacific Ocean.

The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30

Major hazards associated with hurricanes are:

Hurricane Watch vs. Hurricane Warning

A Hurricane Watch is an announcement that hurricane conditions are possible within the specified area. Watches are usually issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds in an area.

A Hurricane Warning is an announcement that hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area. Warnings are usually issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds in an area.