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Preventing Hurricane
Destruction

Lisa Dittrich

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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Table of Contents
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Hurricanes and the dangers they pose………………………………………………3
How Hurricanes Form…………………………………………………………………3
History of Hurricanes…………………………………………………………………3
How to be Prepared for a Hurricane……………………………………………………5
What do We Need to Protect?........................................................5
Safety Precautions………………………………………………………………………5
How to Prevent Damage from a Hurricane…………………………………………6
How to Protect Life………………………………………………………………………6
Humans………………………………………………………………………………6
Pets……………………………………………………………………………………6
How to Protect Property………………………………………………………………
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How to Protect Environment………………………………………………………7
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………7
References……………………………………………………………………………………………
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Table of Figures
Figure 1………………………………………………………………………………………………4
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Figure 2………………………………………………………………………………………………5

Abstract
Hurricanes produce treacherous winds, heavy rain, storm surge, tornadoes, and flooding. No
matter a category one or a category five, there is a severe threat to life and property. If an
individual is in an area where hurricanes are likely, preparation and safety precautions need to
be taken. Before and during a hurricane people need to be thinking about themselves, their
family, their property, and the environment. Keeping in mind a family plan, installing storm
shutters, and the protection reefs give us are just a few ways to keep life and property safe.

Hurricanes and the Dangers They Pose

How Hurricanes Form

Hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones; All names of a type of storm that can cause mass
destruction. Here in the United States, we call them hurricanes. Hurricanes are low-pressure
systems that are created in tropical waters and move in a circular motion (NOAA, 2020). They
produce destructive winds and heavy rainfall which can cause flying debris and flooding. For a
hurricane to form, there need to be perfect conditions. The ocean water needs to be at least 80
degrees Fahrenheit, the system needs an atmosphere with differing temperatures, the system
needs to be within 200 miles from the equator, and the system must have a constant wind
speed or direction (NOAA, 2020).

Hurricanes usually start out as tropical depressions, which have wind speeds of less than 39
miles per hour, and then move up to tropical storms, which have wind speeds of 39-73 miles
per hour. It only becomes a hurricane once the wind speed has reached over 73 miles per hour.
After that, hurricanes are categorized into five different levels ranging from 74 miles per hour to
over 157 miles per hour (National Hurricane Center, 2012).

The History of Hurricanes

One of the first hurricanes ever recorded was in 1502 when Christopher Columbus was on the
coast of Hispaniola. Columbus had heard the Taíno people discussing terrible storms which they
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called “Huracan.” The people believed that Huracan was an evil god of wind and destruction.
The Taíno would beat drums to will storms like this away (Withington, 2016). Early on, many
believed that storms were the gods punishing them, today we know that this is not the case.

Hurricane Katrina, shown in figure 1, was the costliest natural disaster to ever occur in the
United States and in the top five deadliest hurricanes to ever occur. Katrina started out as a
tropical depression on August 23, 2005. After going through the warm waters of the Atlantic
Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina reached category five status. When the storm finally hit
land in Louisiana, Katrina was category three. The storm caused 108 billion dollars in damages
and took 1,833 lives (National Weather Service, 2019).

Figure 1: Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf of Mexico (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2018).
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How to be Prepared for a Hurricane

What do We Need to Protect?

Hurricanes bring high wind speeds, tornadoes, heavy rain, flooding, storm surge, and rip
currents. Hurricane damage from flooding is shown below in figure 2. This means that humans,
pets, animals, property, land, and habitats can all be destroyed. Luckily, forecasters can predict
when and where a hurricane will hit, so there is plenty of time to prepare.

Figure 2: Flooding from Hurricane Harvey (“Hurricane Harvey dropped so much rain on Houston that
some parts are still flooding,” n.d.).

Safety Precautions
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Hurricanes usually occur on the coasts, so individuals who live in these areas should prepare for
potential hurricanes. We also know that there is a hurricane season. Hurricane season is a time
of year when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean, which occurs from June first to
November thirtieth (National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center, 2018).
People who live on or are visiting the coast between the months of June and November should
put in place the proper precautions for a hurricane. This means having a safety plan for your
family and having equipment to protect your property. To be prepared for a hurricane, think
about your surrounding areas and what time of year it is. Also, follow the tips in the next
section on how to protect humans, pets, property, and the environment.

How to Prevent Damage from a Hurricane

How to Protect Life

The most important thing to think about during any natural disaster is the protection of life.
This is why it is important for you and your family or friends to have a plan if destruction hits.

Humans
To protect your family or household from the dangers of a hurricane, a storm plan should be in
place where everyone meets in a safe location. To protect yourself from the dangers of a
hurricane, there are many things an individual should keep in mind. To prepare for a hurricane,
one should take the proper precautions to protect their house which in turn protects the life
inside. Being supplied with food, water, medication, flashlights, and a backup power supply, will
help during and after the hurricane (“Hurricanes,” 2021). Once the storm has begun, first and
foremost, always seek shelter during a hurricane or tropical storm. Individuals should stay away
from floodwaters, damaged buildings, and powerlines or wet electrical equipment. Individuals
should also only eat and drink food and water that has not been contaminated with floodwater
to prevent sickness (“Stay Safe After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm,” 2020). Finally, no
matter how prepared an individual is, if an evacuation is suggested then the individual should
evacuate immediately.

Pets
Before the storm, be prepared with pet food and any medications your pet may need. To
protect your pets from hurricanes, always keep them with you and bring them to the same safe
space as your family or household. Your pet may be stressed during this time, so keeping them
contained in a crate or carrier may be best. As you would with yourself, keep your pet away
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from flood waters and make sure the pet has uncontaminated food and water. Lastly, if you are
evacuating, bring your pets with you and find a pet-friendly shelter (Center for Veterinary
Medicine, 2019).

How to Protect Property

There are many different ways an individual can protect their home and property from
hurricane damage. Some of these may only be necessary if an individual is in an area of high
risk, so assess your risk level and use the information given accordingly. Flooding and storm
surge are destructive outcomes of hurricanes, and to protect your home from flood damage,
flood insurance may be bought. The high speeds of hurricanes can cause roofs to fly off and
debris to fly in the air, damaging your home. Hurricane straps are designed to strengthen the
walls and roof of your home. This can protect not only your home but also others from flying
debris. Storm shutters should also be used for windows to protect the home from debris.
Finally, trees and other big objects that could cause damage to the house if uprooted should be
removed (“Avoiding Hurricane Damage A CHECKLIST FOR HOMEOWNERS,” n.d.).

How to Protect the Environment

The environment protects us from hurricanes, so we should also protect it from hurricanes.
Coral reefs break waves early and therefore reduce flooding. Wetlands lower the blow of storm
surge which also protects us (Beck, n.d.). With climate change worsening throughout the years,
hurricanes are getting more powerful, and our natural protectors are diminishing. Wetlands
and reefs are being destroyed by climate change. We can turn the tides by making an effort to
reverse the effects of climate change. Changes you can make in your life to reduce your carbon
footprint are, carpooling, eating less meat, using reusable materials, and shopping secondhand
(Kastenbauer, 2021).

Conclusion
Hurricanes are damaging, but they can be forecasted, which means there is plenty of time to
prepare for one. To protect yourself and your family, make sure you have the right supplies,
stay away from dangerous areas, only eat and drink uncontaminated food and water, and
evacuate if necessary. To protect your property, make sure you have proper installments made
to your home, and take down trees around your home. To protect the environment that
protects us from storms, keep in mind the coral reefs and wetlands. Lower your carbon
footprint to bring down climate change and protect these natural defenders.
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Works Cited

Avoiding Hurricane Damage A CHECKLIST FOR HOMEOWNERS. (n.d.).

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/media/factsheets/2011/avoiding_hurricane_damage.pdf

Beck, M. W. (n.d.). How to save beaches and coastlines from climate change disasters. Phys.org.

Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://phys.org/news/2021-04-beaches-coastlines-

climate-disasters.html

Center for Veterinary Medicine. (2019). Taking Care of Your Pets During Hurricanes and Floods.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-

health-literacy/taking-care-your-pets-during-hurricanes-and-floods

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2018). Hurricane Katrina | Damage, Deaths, Aftermath,

& Facts. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Hurricane-

Katrina

Hurricane Harvey dropped so much rain on Houston that some parts are still flooding. (n.d.).

NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/hurricane-harvey/hurricane-harvey-

has-left-houston-flooding-continues-n797606

Hurricanes | Ready.gov. (2021, May 12). Ready.gov. https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

‌Kastenbauer, L. (2021, January 4). Ways to reduce your impact on climate change in 2021. Clean

Water Action. https://www.cleanwateraction.org/2021/01/04/ways-reduce-your-

impact-climate-change-2021
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National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center. (2018). Tropical Cyclone

Climatology. Noaa.gov. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/

National Hurricane Center. (2012). Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Noaa.gov.

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

National Weather Service. (2019). Hurricane Katrina - August 2005. Weather.gov.

https://www.weather.gov/mob/katrina

NOAA. (2020, May 1). Hurricanes | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Www.noaa.gov. https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/weather-

atmosphere/hurricanes

Stay Safe After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm. (2020). Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/be-safe-after.html

Withington, J. (2016). Storm: Nature and culture. Reaktion Books.

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