(Modern Survival.org) – What is the deadliest factor to consider in hurricanes and tropical storms?
• Violent winds
• Storm Surge
• Flying debris
• Power outages
Answer: Storm Surge. Here’s why…
Natural disasters are one of the top reasons why many people decide to embrace the prepper lifestyle. These forces of nature strike quickly and leave a path of destruction and death in their wake. One way to prepare for a natural disaster is to learn why they are so dangerous, and what to avoid when they hit.
For those who live in coastal areas, hurricanes are a special kind of nightmare. Categorized on a rank from 1 to 5, a hurricane’s category number is based on wind speed. However, it isn’t the wind speed itself that determines a hurricane’s strength, but rather its forward speed. The slower it moves forward, the more potential it has to wreak havoc in the form of flying debris, rainfall, and a potential storm surge.
While many believe that the wind is the most deadly factor of a hurricane, it is actually the storm surge.
What is a Storm Surge?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a storm surge is an “abnormal rise in seawater level during a storm, measured as the height of the water above the normal predicted astronomical tide.” In layman’s terms, a storm surge is when the water levels rise well above where they normally would be, resulting in massive flooding.
During a storm surge, the wind will push the seawater, causing it to rise rapidly — sending a wall of water inland. Often, this begins before the hurricane even makes landfall, making it difficult for those in its path to evacuate in time.
Once it makes landfall, a storm surge can stretch for miles inland, flooding houses, roadways, and vehicles. Not only does this create a scenario where people can become trapped and drown in their homes and vehicles, but the sheer weight of this wall of water will crush buildings that aren’t specifically designed to withstand a storm surge.
The best bet to survive a deadly storm surge is to get as far inland as possible before a hurricane hits. Since the storm surge can hit before the hurricane itself, evacuate with plenty of time to spare.
In the event of a disaster, natural or otherwise, communication will be vital. To see how to get a hold of friends and relatives when the phone lines go down, check out our article here.
~Here’s to Your Survival!
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