Today is the last day of Hurricane Week, the third week of National Preparedness Month...
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Hurricane Basics

What

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and tornadoes. These large storms are called typhoons in the North Pacific Ocean and cyclones in other parts of the world.

Where

Each year, many parts of the United States experience heavy rains, strong winds, floods, and coastal storm surges from tropical storms and hurricanes. Affected areas include all Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, parts of the Southwest, the Pacific Coast, and the U.S. territories in the Pacific.

When

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.
Know your risk:
Do you want to have a better understanding of the hurricane risk you and your community face? Below is a map of the United States and the frequency of hurricane and tropical storm activity by county. Atlantic data dates back to 1851, while Pacific data includes storms since 1949.

How to Prepare for a Hurricane

This hazard-specific guide provides information on the basics of each hazard, how to protect yourself and your property, and what steps to take now.

Hurricane Playbook

Tailored to each hazard, these guidebooks are designed to provide community leaders and employers with tools and resources to participate in America’s PrepareAthon! The guides provide suggestions on conducting a day of action by holding a preparedness discussion and simple drill. These guides also present step-by-step instructions on conducting a tabletop exercise designed to help organizations test their plans, policies, and procedures for a disaster.

Resources in Other Languages

America’s PrepareAthon! offers several of the major campaign resources in languages other than English.