Each year a number of tropical disturbances-centers of low pressure-move westward across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Some of these become organized storms. If the winds reach 74 mph (119 km/hr) and are generated in the Atlantiv, the storm is classified as a hurricane. Hurricane winds can be as strong as 150 to 200 miles per hour (240 to 320 km/hr) and the storm circulation can be hundreds of miles across.

Hurricane season begins in June, with the strongest and most persistent storms usually occurring in late August and early September. The lifespan of hurricanes averages about 10 days, but some have lasted for over 30 days.

Hurricane frequency has historically followed a 30-year cycle. The period 1900-1930 was inactive, 1930-1960 active, and 1960-1990 inactive.
The hurricane seasons of 1995-2000 were the five most active on record - we can and should expect the present high level of activity to last for the next two decades.

Today the U.S. is more vulnerable to hurricanes than at any time in recent decades. Over the last 30 years, coastal population growth and accompanying property development has increased four-to-five percent per year.

A hurricane watch means there is a possibility that your area will experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. Measures that take extra time should be initiated - such as securing a boat or leaving a barrier island.

A hurricane warning means that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours. The average hurricane warning for 300 miles of coastline costs about $50 million for boarding up homes and closing businesses. If a forecast is correct, a warning can save hundreds of lives and much valuable property. Scientists believe that improving landfall track forecasts by 20 percent is possible over the next several years to reduce unnecessary warnings that may lull people into a false sense of security.

Some of the greatest hurricane damage can occur from flooding after landfall, when the winds typically weaken but heavy rainfall may continue. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd triggered the largest peacetime evacuation in U.S. history, but its worst impacts occurred well after landfall, particularly in North Carolina. Primarily through flooding, Floyd killed millions of animals and over 77 people, the largest human death toll related to a U.S. hurricane since 1972.

The deadliest U.S. hurricane on record killed about 10,000 people in Galveston, Texas, in 1900, a season that was considered "average." The costliest U.S. hurricane on record was Hurricane Andrew that hit Florida in 1992 causing approximately $32 billion in damage. Hurricane Andrew was a Category 4 storm.

1987 October 15-16th. Southeast Britain, Counties south of London: flattened more than 15 million trees, 19 people died

1992 August 24-26th.Southern Florida, Louisiana: Hurricane Andrew, 14 people died