Hurricanes

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones with torrential rains, sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, and blow in a counter-clockwise direction around a center "eye." Hurricane winds can exceed 155 miles per hour and severely affect areas hundreds of miles inland. Hurricanes are rated on a 1 to 5 scale, with 1 being the weakest. Category 3, 4, and 5 storms are considered major storms.

What You Should Do:

• Listen for information and instructions on radio, television or NOAA Weather Radio.
• Inventory personal property.
• Secure all essential records and valuable documents in a safe water-tight place.
• Moor your boat securely.
• Shutter, board or tape windows.
• Refill prescription medications, secure credit cards and cash.
• If your job requires you to work during a storm, make sure that at least one adult will be with children, the elderly or those with special needs.
• Prepare to bring inside lawn furniture and other loose lightweight objects such as garbage cans, garden tools, propane grills, and children's toys.
• Check batteries and stock up on canned foods, first aid supplies, drinking water and medications.
• Make arrangements for pets. Pets may not be allowed in shelters for health reasons. Contact your local humane society for additional information.
• Review procedures on how to shut off utilities. Know where gas pilots are located and how heating and air conditioning systems work.
• Fuel your car, and be prepared to evacuate upon the recommendation of the Saddle River Emergency Management personnel.
  
  

Hurricane Terms

• Hurricane Watch:
  Issued for coastal areas when there is a threat of a hurricane to a specific area, generally within 36 hours.
• Hurricane Warning:
  Is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in a specific coastal area in 24 hours or less.Hurricane conditions include sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour and/or dangerous high tides.