The might of a hurricane is nothing to underestimate—large ones have the ability to release the energy equivalent of 10 atomic bombs per second, with the eye spewing the most violent, powerful winds and rains, according to the University of Utah’s Natural History Museum. And if a hurricane alone wasn’t bad enough, some also end up giving birth to tornadoes. While these hybrids aren’t as powerful as tornadoes that form on their own, they continue to wreak havoc until they die down.
In 2020, thousands dealt with the disastrous aftermath of Hurricane Laura—which tore through the Gulf coast. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall in the early hours of August 27 in Cameron, Louisiana and is one of the strongest ever recorded in the state’s history.
The National Hurricane Center had previously advised that “unsurvivable storm surge” could cause “catastrophic damage” and The Weather Channel urged those who had been told to evacuate to do exactly that. This terrifying video shows why:
Hurricane Laura also destroyed and set fire to a chemical plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana—a city just over an hour away from where Laura made landfall.
Smoke from the burning chemical plant in Lake Charles, LA. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds//Getty Images
The best way to protect yourself during a hurricane is to understand what you’re dealing with and to heed the advisories from your local government. Here’s where hurricanes come from, what they do, and how to protect yourself if you ever encounter one.
What Is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a tropical storm that forms over warm tropical waters and begins as a disturbance that is categorized as a “tropical depression” when it’s under 38 miles per hour (mph). Anything that exceeds 39 mph is given a name—Katrina, Sandy, etc.—and categorized as a hurricane.
Hurricanes are destructive and strong and leave mass devastation in their wake, including the phenomenon known as storm surge—a rapid increase in sea levels—and long-term flooding. Hurricanes can exceed speeds of 200 mph; in 2015, Hurricane Patricia produced 215 mph winds, which were the strongest ever recorded, according to National Geographic.
How Do You Stay Safe in a Hurricane?
The best way to survive a hurricane is to heed evacuation notices and give yourself enough time to head somewhere safe, such as a disaster shelter. Stay away from valleys and other low-lying areas that can easily become flooded, and stay indoors, as flying debris presents a huge danger during these violent storms.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has also created hurricane survival guidelines, including these three crucial preparation and safety strategies.
Before a hurricane hits your area, have an emergency kit stocked with bottled water, a first aid kit, flashlights, and non-perishables. You should have a plan in place and review it with your family so that everyone knows what steps to take in the event a hurricane strikes.
The NWS advises that you “know your zone,” meaning that if you live in a hurricane hotspot like those on the Atlantic or Gulf coasts, you know where the evacuation areas are. The NWS also recommends reviewing insurance policies across the board (home, auto, life) to see what could be a good fit.
When a hurricane hits, ideally, you’re far from where the storm makes landfall. Covering all windows (i.e.: installing permanent storm shutters) in your home is a good idea. If you’re ordered to evacuate, you should do so. If there’s a hurricane warning in your area but no evacuation order, be prepared to shelter yourself in a small room where there aren’t any windows, such as a closet, and steer clear of structures like skylights and glass doors.
And if a hurricane passes through your area, know that just because the eye brings calm, it’s surrounded by violent winds. Momentary calm does not mean the storm has passed. Always check with a verified source such as the NOAA Weather Radio before leaving the safety of your evacuation zone.
After a hurricane, the damage to your area will be extensive. If you’ve been ordered to evacuate, don’t return home unless officials have said it’s safe to do so. Avoid driving, as flooding may hide dangerous debris like fallen electrical wires and faulty infrastructure like damaged bridges.
Getting back home will be tough, too. Before you can assess internal damage, you have to look for downed power lines, external structural damage, and consider gas leaks. If you suspect a gas leak or if your home is surrounded by flooding, you should refrain from entering.
Additionally, the NWS reports that carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of death after storms hit. Don’t use machinery such as a portable generator inside the home, a garage, or another enclosed space. The CDC says generators should be used at least 20 feet away from a home and that houses should be outfitted with carbon monoxide detectors.
Daisy Hernandez is a reporter, editor, and content creator with a background in print and digital media and has written for Sports Illustrated, Popular Mechanics, and Bicycling magazines. She loves to cook, frequently testing out new recipes on friends and family, and is a big fan of prehistoric science, travel, Halloween, trivia, and dogs.