For the first time ever, I decided to stay in a hurricane shelter. Here’s why I did and what I’ve learned about staying at an emergency shelter during a storm. Plus expert tips to help you decide whether you should stay put at home or evacuate in a hurricane.
Hurricanes
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, there are certain facts you should know. First, there are 5 official hurricane categories (not 6), some survival items you definitely need to have on-hand, and other tips for evacuating and surviving a hurricane.
5 Hurricane Categories & The Types Of Damage That Can Result
Hurricanes are major storms with sustained winds of at least 74 mph and form over oceans. Hurricane Categories are used to estimate potential property damage — on a scale from 1 to 5. See what each of the 5 categories means — in terms of maximum wind speeds and the specific types of damage you can expect to see.
Category 6 Hurricanes: Facts vs. Myths (Hint… There’s No Such Thing As A Category 6 Hurricane!)
Have you heard about a major storm being declared the next Category 6 hurricane? That’s fake news! There are only 5 official hurricane categories. See why Category 6 hurricanes don’t exist.
What’s Up With All The Weird Weather Lately? 7 Strange Weather Phenomena Explained… See How & Why They Happen
Here are 7 weird weather events we’re hearing about lately — deadly heat, record rain, monster hurricanes, firenados, record snowfall, chemtrails, and weird clouds.
Weather-Related Halloween Costumes You Can Make Yourself (…More Than 50 Unique Ideas!)
Fun Halloween costume ideas for a weatherman (or a weatherman wannabee). Think along these lines: hurricane, sun, flood, mother nature, global warming, earth day, hail, clouds, snow globe, el nino, weatherman, tsunami, rain, snow, mother earth, blizzard, lightning, wind, stormy weather, rainbow, tornado, weather forecast, snowman, snowflake, wind turbine and solar panel costume ideas!
Hurricane Forecast Update: 5 New Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecasting Changes You Need To Know About
Do you pay attention to the hurricane forecast each year? There are 5 important new storm forecast changes for hurricane season. See what the changes are, why they were made, and how they affect you.
Top 10 Survival Kits (…And Why Everyone Should Have One)
Here’s a summary of some of the best survival gear and survival kits for those who enjoy the great outdoors. You’ll find the Top 10 Survival Kits for home, work, and travel… as well as the 8 Best Survival Tools that could save your life.
My Review Of The Midland WR-120 Weather Radio + 5 Tips For Buying Weather Radios
I’m a weather bug living in Hurricane Alley, and I recently bought a Midland WR-120 weather radio. Here’s why I think it’s one of the best weather radios.
Storm Surge Explained: See Why This Type Of Flooding From Hurricanes & Tropical Storms Is So Dangerous + 5 Tips To Stay Safe
A storm surge is the bulge of water that rises under a hurricane or tropical storm when it makes landfall. Flooding causes the most damage. How to stay safe.
Here’s Proof That Food And Weather Go Hand In Hand: 4 Little-Known Facts About Bad Weather & Food
What’s the Waffle House Index? Why do we rush to buy milk & eggs before a storm? How do restaurants fare during bad weather? How is Wawa helping first responders?
31 Deadly Weather Facts + A List Of The Most Dangerous Weather Events
The most dangerous weather events are lightning, tornadoes, winter storms, extreme heat & floods. These 31 deadly weather facts prove it! Protect yourself.
4 Sizzling Facts About Summer Weather That May Surprise You!
Ever wonder where the phrase ‘dog days of summer’ comes from? Or when the first day of summer is? Here are 4 fun summer weather facts that may surprise you!
How To Measure Wind Damage From Tornadoes, Hurricanes & Other Storms
Wind damage can be caused by many types of weather storms, including hurricanes and tornadoes. Here are the types of scales that meteorologists and other weather scientists use to measure winds from storms, plus how they measure the damage that is sustained.
Should We Be Naming Winter Storms? Why One Weather Watcher Thinks The Idea Is On Thin Ice
The Weather Channel has begun naming winter storms, which has caused a stir in the weather community. Why has the Weather Channel decided to name winter storms, and why does one weather watcher think they should ice the idea? Find out a flurry of details here.
Hypercanes: Severe Hurricanes You Wouldn’t Want to Mess With
Hypercanes are the most severe hurricanes that could ever form. Just how high could the winds of such a mega hurricane be? The answer might blow your socks off!
5 Dangerous and Costly Hurricane Facts and Myths Debunked
I used to believe some of these myths, too. However, I grew up in Florida — one of the most hurricane-prone states in the country. So, I quickly learned that many of the things I heard about hurricanes were in fact myths that could be quickly dispelled by facts that have been proven by scientific research and studies.
Hurricane Shutters & Hurricane Windows: How They’re Different From Standard Windows And Shutters
Hurricane shutters and hurricane windows provide two key ways to save your home from damage to hurricane-force winds.
Ways You Can Fortify Your House To Make It A Hurricane-Safe Home
Making a hurricane safe home is perhaps the best way to keep you and your family safe when the weather gets rough.
Hurricane Rita 5 Years Later: Photos & Videos Of The Aftermath
Hurricane Rita struck the United States during September 23 and 24 2005. Here are some interesting facts, photos, and videos about Hurricane Rita’s aftermath.
Monitor Hurricanes Online With These Free Hurricane Trackers
Finding a good online hurricane tracker is simple with these tips. You’ll know where the next hurricane is forming, and where it’s headed by using one of these storm trackers or hurricane trackers.
How Strong Is Hurricane Wind?
Hurricane wind can do damage even when the center of the storm is offshore or a great distance from you. Check out how strong winds must be to qualify as hurricane strength and the planes they’re now using to conduct hurricane research.
Weather 101: What’s An Invest Storm?
An invest storm is the type of tropical weather that certain hurricane data research centers want to learn more about.
5 Tips That’ll Help You Prevent A Summer Storm From Ruining Your Vacation
Use these 5 tips to help avoid letting a summer storm ruin your vacation.
2010 Hurricane Predictions
The 2010 Hurricane Season predictions. Check out how many storms may form this year. Oh, and get ready — forecasters are predicting an active hurricane season…
2010 Hurricane Name List
The complete 2010 hurricane name list.
Why Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) Are So Important
Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) are an extremely important factor in what drives the weather affecting you throughout the year.
10 Tips For Making Flood Cleanup Safer & Easier
Flood cleanup is necessary for many of us at various times throughout the year. Be it a hurricane, severe storm, or a spring snow melt caused flooding, the problem is always just as bad. After all, floods mean serious business. Check out 10 tips to help make flood cleanup a safer and easier task.
Weather Forecasting: Why Meteorologists Are Often Wrong
As seen in the often-inaccurate 7-day forecasts and off-the-mark hurricane predictions, weather forecasting is still an imperfect science. Meteorologists, however, will keep on trying to do a better job as our understanding of the weather and improvements in technology make weather forecasting more accurate.
Take These Fun Weather Quiz Tests To See How Much You Know About The Weather
Bored? Not a great day to be outdoors? You can stay entertained indoors with these challenging and fun weather quiz tests.
Good News: Climate Disaster Events & Deaths Down
Here’s some good news — 2009 was a relatively good year in terms of the climate disaster occurrence numbers. There were fewer climate disasters and fewer deaths because of them in 2009 than in 2008.
A Tropical Depression Brings Stormy Weather But Is Great For Fixing Droughts
A tropical depression is an area of tropical weather that’s stormy, centralized, can pack winds up to 38 miles per hour, and can often become a stronger system like a tropical storm, hurricane, or typhoon.
Cumulonimbus Clouds & Nimbostratus Clouds: Rain-Makers That Can Bring Severe Weather
Cumulonimbus clouds are a common type of rain-making cloud. Many can climb tens of thousands of feet into the sky and can be seen from dozens of miles away. Any cloud which produces precipitation (like rain, sleet, and snow) are referred to as nimbus clouds, with cumulonimbus clouds and nimbostratus clouds being among the most common of the clouds which produce precipitation.
How Wind Direction, Speed, And Location Determine Wind Types & Wind Names
When we talk about wind, we are talking about more than just moving air. In fact, the wind direction, the wind speed, and where the wind occurs are all important things to understand when talking about wind.
FEMA For Kids Provides Fun Weather Activities For Kids Online
FEMA for Kids is a safe online resource for games, weather and disaster information. It’s also one of the few kids weather sites that also has fun weather activities for kids online.
2009 Hurricane Season Highlights
It’s December and the 2009 hurricane season is now officially over. It came and went with relatively little in the way of serious weather, at least for most United States citizens. It’s never too early to start preparing for the next hurricane season — which begins June 1st.
Prepare For Hurricane Season With Fabric Storm Panels For Your Windows
Fabric storm panels are an effective alternative to plywood and metal when preparing your home for an attack by a hurricane. Be sure you start preparing for NEXT hurricane season now!
How To Survive The Storm: Invest In Emergency Survival Kits!
One of the most important things you can have in your home is a survival kit that will help keep you and your loved ones safe when severe weather strikes. Here’s what to include in your home survival kit.
Hurricane Hugo’s Impact: 20 Years Later
Looking back at the true impact of Hurricane Hugo… the damage and destruction 20 years later.
How Hurricanes And Typhoons Form
Learn how hurricanes and typhoons form and what you should do if one threatens your area.
After The Hurricane, How Long Could You Survive?
Survival tactics and products that can make the difference between whether you and your family survive a hurricane or not.
Hurricane Warning? 10 Things You Need To Do… Now!
The types of damage that a Hurricane can cause …and how you can prevent it from happening to your home, your vehicle, or your life!
Should You Open Windows During A Tornado Or Hurricane?
Do you know if you’d be safer opening the windows in your home during a tornado or hurricane or not? Find out here.
Hurricane Recovery – What To Do After A Hurricane Has Blown Through Your Town
Hurricanes can be devastating and can leave behind all sorts of destruction …on people, as well as property. If a hurricane has passed through your area what should you do first? Here are some things you need to be aware of after a hurricane has done its damage in your town.
How To Explain A Hurricane To Kids: 4 Great Resources That Help Kids Understand Hurricanes
Big storms like hurricanes are really tough to explain to kids. Here are some great websites which help kids learn about hurricanes, including hurricane safety and hurricane preparedness.
How To Be A Storm Chaser Or Weather Spotter For The National Weather Service
You’ve seen storm chasers and weather spotters featured on the local and national news. Plenty of times, right? Ever wonder how you can become an official weather spotter for the National Weather Service? Well, I did it. I became an NOAA weather spotter. Here’s how…
How To Make A Temporary Roof If Yours Gets Damaged By A Hurricane, Tornado, Or Severe Weather Storm
Here are the best instructions I could find for making temporary roof repairs in the event that a storm — like a hurricane or tornado — has crossed paths with your house. See how to fix your damaged roof using a tarp and some boards.
Survival Tactics: What To Do If You Find Yourself Stranded
Do you know how long you can survive without food? Without shelter? Without water? Without air? You should teach everyone in your family The Rule of Threes in case you ever find yourself stranded and seeking rescue.
Kids Helping Kids After Hurricane Katrina
Here it is 3 weeks later, and people all across this great country are still showing amazing acts of humanity to make things a little easier for those whose lives were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Here are some ways that kids have been helping kids.
Katrina Blog: How People Like You & Me Can Help
To all of our readers and their friends & families who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina: While a site called The Fun Times Guide may not seem like an obvious place to extend a hand to the survivors dealing with Katrina’s brutal aftermath… it’s the best we’ve got. Here’s how we’re helping Katrina victims.
Katrina Photos: Everyday People Helping Hurricane Katrina Victims
Following are the responses received to our Katrina Blog — a request for photographs that depict ‘good news’… people helping people and having a POSITIVE impact on the lives of Hurricane Katrina’s victims.