Hurricanes are one of the most powerful displays that nature has to offer. These spiraling tropical storms can produce winds over 160 mph and unleash 2.4 trillion gallons of rain in a single day. Fortunately today, modern technology allows meteorologists to forecast and predict the path and impact of potential storms. However, these storms that develop from the warm winds of the Sahara desert off of the coast of Africa, developing along the equator, gaining their cyclonic spin from the rotation of the earth, can make unprecedented changes in strength and direction; especially once they enter the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Because the most violent storms on Earth can bring such devastation it’s important understand their timeline. Whether it’s a category 1 with wind speeds between 74 and 95 mph, or a rare category 5 that exceeds 157 mph, knowing what to do, and when to do it, is imperative. As these storms head toward populated areas it’s important to prepare early and be one step ahead. While forecasts are available over a week in advance, it’s the planning and actions taken as a storm nears landfall that are the most important. Here is a quick rundown of how to prepare 36 hours ahead of a hurricane.
