Weather Safety - Hurricanes

Safety Checklist | What To Do | Safety Quiz

	When is hurricane season each year?
A.January 1st - May 31st Incorrect! Keep Going^® B.June 1st - November 30th Correct! Hurricane season runs from June 1st- November 30th each year. However, tropical systems can form outside of that period. As recently as December, 2007, Tropical Storm Olga ravaged the Caribbean. C.August 1st - October 31st Incorrect! Keep Going^®
	What is the most serious threat from a hurricane?
A.Strong wind gusts Incorrect! Keep Going^® B.Storm surge Correct! Water, not wind, is the biggest danger. A storm surge is an unstoppable wall of water, pushed ahead of the storm. A surge of almost 30 feet inundated parts of Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina, scouring the coast clean in many areas and moving buildings and bridges. The second water threat is flooding and inland freshwater flooding, which is a threat to people living in the area, and people leaving the immediate coastal threat areas. Wind-driven debris can also be dangerous, but is far less of a threat than water. Remember this rule of thumb: take shelter from the wind; run from water. C.Flooding Incorrect! Keep Going^® D.Other Incorrect! Keep Going^®
	Which is more dangerous - a hurricane or a tropical storm?
A.Hurricane Correct! Technically, since a hurricane is more powerful, it is more dangerous, but all tropical storm systems pose a serious threat. Additionally, there are far more tropical storms than hurricanes, which means there is more opportunity for danger. B.Tropical storm Incorrect! Keep Going^®
	What is the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning?
A.A watch means a hurricane is coming and a warning means it is here Incorrect! Keep Going^® B.A watch means there is a possible threat within 36 hours, whereas a warning occurs when winds are 74 mph or higher Correct! A hurricane WATCH is issued for a specified coastal area for which a hurricane or a hurricane-related hazard is a possible threat within 36 hours. A hurricane WARNING is issued when a hurricane with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher is expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continues, even though the winds may have subsided below hurricane intensity. C.A watch means that a hurricane has been spotted, a warning means you should evacuate Incorrect! Keep Going^® D.There is no difference Incorrect! Keep Going^®
	Which disaster is more severe, a tornado or a hurricane?
A.Tornado Incorrect! Keep Going^® B.Hurricane Correct! While many tornadoes have much higher winds than hurricanes, hurricanes are larger storm systems, can affect larger populations per event and possess the threats of storm surge and flooding. Hurricanes often spawn tornadoes, that even though usually short-lived and weaker than normal tornadoes, are very dangerous and can strike with little or no warning.

Weather Center

Today

Low:49°
High:55°
Current:50°

Tomorrow

Low:50°
High:59°

Weather alerts:

Flood Watch

District of Columbia (District of Columbia)

effective: 2:14 AM

expires: 12:00 AM

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Short Term Forecast

District of Columbia (District of Columbia)

effective: 5:10 AM

expires: 8:15 AM

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