The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh
The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh
Hurricane Facts about Coastal Georgia:
The Coastal Georgia Hurricane Strike Zone
Hurricane – Know the Terms:
Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a hurricane hazard:
Tropical Depression – An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 MPH (33 knots) or less. Sustained winds are defined as one-minute average wind measured at about 33 ft (10 meters) above the surface.
Tropical Storm – An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 MPH (34-63 knots).
Hurricane – An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 MPH (64 knots) or higher.
Storm Surge – A dome of water pushed onshore by hurricane and tropical storm winds. Storm surges can reach 25 feet high and be 50-1000 miles wide.
Storm Tide – A combination of storm surge and the normal tide (i.e., a 15-foot storm surge combined with a 2-foot normal high tide over the mean sea level created a 17-foot storm tide).
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch – Hurricane/tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area, usually within 36 hours. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning – Hurricane/tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area, usually within 24 hours.
Short Term Watches and Warnings – These warnings provide detailed information about specific hurricane threats, such as flash floods and tornadoes.
Click here to download a Hurricane Tracking Map [PDF] as a (PDF)
Flooding Facts (provided by ready.gov):
Click here to download these Flooding Facts as a PDF [PDF]
While many immediately think of strong winds when they think of hurricanes, other accompanying effects such as storm surge, heavy rains and inland flooding are equally destructive and dangerous. Don’t be caught off guard this hurricane season. Get the facts. Know the risks. Take action to protect yourself, your family and your financial future.
Heavy Rains:
Hurricanes and tropical storms have the potential to unload heavy and sustained rainfall which overwhelms drainage systems and results in flooding. In 2009, remnants of Tropical Storm Ida developed into a strong coastal storm (nor’easter) that generated up to 18 inches of rain in many areas and caused major flooding along the Atlantic coast.
Storm Surge:
Storm surge is the water that is pushed toward the shore by the strong winds of a storm. These wind-driven waves can cause severe flooding in coastal areas. Storm surge combined with high tides can be extremely dangerous and destructive. Hurricane Ike, in 2008, produced a storm surge of nearly ten feet at its landfall, overtopping the protective sea wall on Galveston Island and destroying hundreds of homes and businesses.
Inland Floods:
Coastal communities are not the only ones who should prepare for hurricane flooding. Hurricanes and tropical storms are powerful systems with the ability to travel far from the initial strike zone. Once inland, they continue to bring powerful winds and heavy rains. Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, made an initial landfall in the Florida Panhandle.The storm continued north causing billions in flood damage from the Florida Gulf Coast.
Prepare Now:
The time to prepare is now. Gather supplies for your emergency supply kit, make a plan, strengthen your home against storm damage and review your insurance coverage, including flood insurance. Remember: it typically takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect, so get your policy now. Flood insurance is affordable. An average flood policy costs around $560 a year, and rates start at just $119 a year for homes in moderate- to low-risk areas.
To learn what you can do to prepare for floods, visit www.ready.gov, visit FloodSmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 for more information.
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