New to Florida and hurricanes? Here are answers to basic questions before a storm develops

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2 days ago

Whether you're brand new to Florida, or you could use a few reminders, here's a quick-hit version of what you should know when it comes to hurricanes.
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Technically, there is no such thing as the "Florida hurricane season," although many post that query into Google.
Florida is covered under the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
The busiest time of the Atlantic hurricane season runs from mid-August through mid-October.
The peak is Sept. 10.
That depends on several factors, including where it develops and how fast it's moving.
In a worst-case scenario, you may have only hours to react.
You'll have less time to react if a hurricane forms close to the U.S., such as off the southeastern U.S. or the Gulf of America.
Officials repeatedly encourage residents to prepare for a hurricane before a storm is on its way.
During the early months of hurricane season, storms historically develop close to the U.S. and Florida.
Later in the season, more storms develop out of tropical waves moving off the coast of Africa, giving residents in the path more time to prepare.
Remember, though, the farther a storm is from Florida and the U.S., the more uncertainty there is on how strong it will be if or when it makes landfall and where or if it will make landfall.
All predictions are for an above-average season.
NOAA is predicting:
Named storms: 13-19
Hurricanes: 6-10
Major hurricanes: 3-5
AccuWeather is predicting:
Named storms: 13 to 18
Hurricanes: 7-10
Major hurricanes: 3-5
Direct U.S. impacts: 3-6
Colorado State University is predicting:
17 named storms
9 hurricanes
4 major hurricanes
Named storms: 14
Hurricanes: 7
Major hurricanes: 3
Put together a disaster supplies kit with water and non-perishable food now, before a storm is approaching.
Look over your home and yard for anything that could pose a danger.
Determine if you live in a flood-prone area.
Find out if you live in an evacuation zone.
Develop an evacuation plan.
Have trusted sources for storm information.
Sign up for our free updates about current storms and weather events by location
➤ Want more details? Everything to know about NOAA tips from Hurricane Preparedness Week
Go to FEMA's Flood Risk website, floodsmart.gov/flood-risk and enter your ZIP code.
➤ Know your risks from wind and water
Go to the Florida Department of Emergency Management's Know Your Zone website and enter your address.
Storm surge is the water pushed toward shore by winds associated with a tropical cyclone. Historically, storm surge "has caused the largest loss of life in hurricanes."
Think you're safe if you don't live on the coast?
"Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers, and estuaries," NOAA said.
Usually, watches are issued before warnings. Watches give you more time to prepare. Warnings mean it's time to finalize and complete your preparations and get to a safe place.
Hurricane watch: A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Hurricane warning: A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Hurricanes are categorized using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Here's what each category means and the maximum sustained winds for each:
: Winds 74-95 mph. Very dangerous winds will produce some damage. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
Category 2: Winds 96-110 mph. Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
Category 3: Winds 111-129 mph. Devastating damage will occur. Well-built framed homes may incur major damage. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks. Considered a major hurricane.
Category 4: Winds 130-156 mph. Catastrophic damage will occur. Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Considered a major hurricane.
Category 5: Winds 157 mph or higher. Catastrophic damage will occur. A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Considered a major hurricane.
No, although it's an idea that has been proposed in the past.
Don't expect any changes anytime soon, as the National Hurricane Center said it has no plans to make any changes to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Three Category 5 hurricanes have hit Florida since 1900:
Labor Day Hurricane, 1935: The hurricane hit the Florida Keys. Winds were estimated between 150 and 200 mph at landfall.
Hurricane Andrew, 1992: Landfall was in South Miami-Dade County. Maximum sustained winds were 165 mph.
Hurricane Michael, 2018: Landfall was near Tyndall Air Force Base in the Panhandle. Maximum sustained winds were 161 mph.
"On the average, close to seven hurricanes every four years strike the United States, while about three major hurricanes cross the U.S. coast every five years," NOAA said.
Forty percent of all U.S. hurricanes hit Florida
Sixty percent of major hurricanes strikes have hit either Florida or Texas
Several conditions need to exist for a hurricane to develop, NOAA said, including:
Ocean waters should be 80 degrees at the surface and warm for a depth of 150 feet.
An atmosphere which cools fast enough with increasing height so the difference between the top and bottom of the atmosphere can create thunderstorm conditions.
Spin. A storm needs to be at least 300 miles from the equator for the Coriolis force for the typical spin we associate with hurricanes.
Low vertical wind shear, which favor thunderstorms, which provide the energy for tropical cyclones.
"There have been numerous techniques that have been considered over the years to modify hurricanes," ranging from seeding clouds with dry ice, cooling the ocean with icebergs, flying jets clockwise in the eyewall to reverse the flow, exploding the hurricane apart with hydrogen bombs, and blowing the storm away from land with giant fans.
"As carefully reasoned as some of these suggestions are, they all share the same shortcoming: They fail to appreciate the size and power of tropical cyclones." NOAA said.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida hurricane season: Start, end and what you need to know