Hurricane Season Begins June 1st, Ends November 30th,

Average Season Prediction An average hurricane season produces 12 storms Six of those become hurricanes 3 will intensify into major (CAT-3) or higher.

NOAA is forecasting a 75% chance that the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane season will be near or above normal.

2018 NOAA Prediction 10 – 16 Named Storms (winds 39mph or higher) 5 – 9 Hurricanes (winds 74 mph or higher) 1 – 4 Expected to be “major” (Cat-3, 4 or 5) with sustained winds of at least 111mph.

2018 NOAA Prediction Average sea waters temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea Weaker-than-average wind shear Weak El Nino

Don’t Be Fooled by Numbers All it Takes is One! Hurricane Andrew August 24th 1992 1992 Classic Example ONLY 6 STORMS IN 1992… INCLUDING CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE ANDREW THIS SUMMER MARKS 26 YEARS SINCE HURRICANE ANDREW DEVASTATED SOUTH FLORIDA

acting FEMA Deputy Administrator Daniel Kaniewski said: "It only takes one storm to devastate a community, so now is the time to prepare. "Preparing ahead of a disaster is the responsibility of all levels of government, the private sector and the public,“

Important Definitions Know the Difference! Tropical Storm/Hurricane WATCH: Conditions are possible within 48 hours Tropical Storm/Hurricane WARNING: Conditions are expected within 36 hours

Types of Hurricanes Category Wind Speed 1 74-95 mph 2 96-110 mph 3 NOTE: Storm surge depth depends upon the steepness or shallowness of the ocean or Gulf shelf; the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are generally shallow compared to other U.S. shorelines.

Tropical Cyclone Climatology Atlantic Activity Distribution Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Hurricanes

Tropical Cyclone History Since 1949 Pacific, 1851 Atlantic Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

South Florida “Hurricane Alley”

The Weapons of a Hurricane 1. Wind 2. Rain - Flooding 3. Storm Surge – Flooding* 4. Tornadoes *kills more people than any other hurricane peril

Causes of death directly attributable to Atlantic tropical cyclones 1963-2012