Before 1979, hurricanes were given women's names. After that, both women and men’s names were used. Hurricanes get names to help with tracking them (sometimes there may be more than one hurricane at a time and it can get confusing). Names also make it easier to remember when you are talking about a hurricane that hit a certain place at a certain time. Each year, the hurricane names are selected -- one name for each letter of the alphabet, except Q, U and Z. For Atlantic Ocean hurricanes, the names may be French, Spanish or English.

 

Sometimes names are "retired" if a hurricane has been really big and destructive. It’s like when a sports jersey or number is retired after a really great athlete leaves a sport. When a name is retired it won’t be used again.

Retired Names:
Agnes, Alicia, Allen, Andrew, Anita, Audrey, Betsy, Bob, Camille, Carla, Carmen, Celian Cleo, Connie, David, Diana, Donna, Elena, Gilbert, Gloria, Janet & Joan 

HURRICANE DEFINITIONS Know your hurricane season terminology

Tropical depression: A tropical system in which the maximum sustained surface w.nd is 33 knots (38 mph) or less. Though the wind speeds are significantly less than those in a hurricane, tropical depressions are capable of producing tremendous rainfall amounts.

Tropical storm: A tropical system in which the maximum sustained surface wind ranges from 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph). These systems are also intense rainfall producers, but often cause enough wind and waves to cause some beach erosion and minor boat damage.

Hurricane: A tropical system in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 64 knots (74 mph) or greater. This is the worst and strongest of all tropical systems.

Hurricane eye: A relatively calm area in the center of the storm. In this area, winds are light and the sky often is only partly covered by clouds. Never go outside in the eye of the storm. This period of calm may only last 10 to 20 minutes before hurricane force winds and torrential rains return.

Storm surge: An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm. The height of the storm surge is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the astronomical tide that would have occurred in the absence of the storm.

Tropical storm watch: An announcement that a tropical storm or tropical storm conditions pose a threat to coastal areas generally within 36 hours.

Tropical storm warning: A warning that a tropical storm or tropical storm conditions, including sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph, will affect a specified coastal area within 24 hours or less.

Hurricane watch: An announcement for specific areas that a hurricane or hurricane conditions pose a possible threat to coastal areas generally within 36 hours.

Hurricane warning: A warning that hurricane conditions including sustained winds of 74 mph or greater associated with a hurricane are expected in a specified coastal area within 24 hours or less. Any preparedness measures must be rushed to completion once the warning is issued. High winds and coastal flooding will develop many hours before the eye of the storm actually comes ashore.

Inland high wind watch for hurricane force winds: An announcement for inland areas that sustained winds of 74 mph or greater associated with a hurricane are anticipated beyond the coastal areas though the actual occurrence, timing and location are still uncertain.

Inland high wind warning for hurricane force winds: An announcement for inland areas that sustained winds of 74 mph or greater associated with a hurricane are anticipated beyond the coastal areas in the next six to twelve hours.

Hurricane local statement: A public release prepared by your local National Weather Service office in or near the threatened area giving specific details on weather conditions, evacuation decisions made by local officials, and other precautions necessary to protect life and property.

 Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is used to rate the intensities of a hurricane in Categories from 1 to 5 and assess the damage potential in each category.All hurricanes are dangerous, but some are more so than others. The way storm surge, wind, and other factors combine determines the hurricane's destructive power. To make comparisons easier, and to make the predicted hazards of approaching hurricanes clearer to emergency forces, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's hurricane forecasters use a disaster-potential scale which assigns storms to five categories. Category 1 is a minimum hurricane; category 5 is the worst case. This can be used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast with a hurricane. The criteria for each category are shown below.

 

Category	Definition-Effects
ONE	Winds 74-95 mph: No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
TWO	Winds 96-110 mph: Some roofing material, door, and window damage to buildings. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
THREE	Winds 111-130 mph: Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet ASL may be flooded inland 8 miles or more.
FOUR	Winds 131-155 mph: More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain continuously lower than 10 feet ASL may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas inland as far as 6 miles.
FIVE	Winds greater than 155 mph: Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet ASL and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of the shoreline may be required.