What is a Hurricane?
Hurricanes are tropical cyclones - storms that rotate counterclockwise with wind speeds in excess of 74 mph. Most hurricanes form over warn seas near the equator. They are created when the sun heats the ocean surface, causing heated water vapor to rise, condense and form clouds. These clouds begin to spiral as the earth rotates. More air is pulled underneath and a large vortex is formed.
Categorizing a Hurricane's Strength
The Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale is used internationally to determine a hurricane's strength and predict the amount of damage it might cause:
| Category 1 |
Wind Speed: 75-95 mph |
Minimal Damage |
| Category 2 |
Wind Speed: 96-110 mph |
Moderate Damage |
| Category 3 |
Wind Speed: 111-130 mph |
Major Damage |
| Category 4 |
Wind Speed: 131-155 mph |
Severe Damage |
| Category 5 |
Wind Speed: 156 + mph |
Catastrophic Damage |
Advisories
Advisories warn us of impending danger from severe weather. Here are the specific advisories to note during hurricane season:
Tropical Storm Watch: Wind speeds of 39-73 mph are expected within 36 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning: Wind speeds of 39-73 mph are expected within 24 hours.
Hurricane Watch: Wind speeds of 74 mph or higher are expected within 36 hours.
Hurricane Warning: Wind speeds of 74 mph or higher are expected within 24 hours.
EVACUATION ORDER
An order issued by the local government advising everyone in the area to evacuate. Once the order is issued, immediate evacuation is required by state law.
How do I find out what I need to know?
In the event of a sizeable weather event, the Borough of Avalon warns its residents in several ways.
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Listen to the fire siren: Generally after the siren a message will be delivered from the loudspeaker from which the siren sounded
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Watch for Avalon Police Patrol Cars/Fire/Rescue Vehicles: Avalon Patrolman and other emergency responders will go around town, if practical, and announce directions from loudspeakers housed in their vehicles
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Watch local news channels for up to date information about the storm
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Listen to 1630 AM: This is the official borough run radio station which broadcasts all emergency information pertaining to the Borough of Avalon
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Global Connect Emergency Notification System - What is it? Well it is a reverse 9-1-1 system where by entering your contact information the Borough of Avalon notifies is citizens of storms or other incidents via telephone or even e-mail in real time. Please visit http://www.avalonboro.org/911/ to enter all of your contact information so you may be placed on the Emergency Notification System.
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Visit the National Hurricane Center's website http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ for more information.
Website created and maintained in conjunction with: Avalon Police Department, Avalon Emergency Management, AHOLA and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (www.nj.gov/njoem)
