While hurricanes are one of many ways Mother Nature sustains the ecosystem, they come bearing several life-threatening types of damage and destruction.
Hurricanes are characterized as rapidly rotating storms with a low-pressure centers, closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produces heavy rain.
“The costliest tropical cyclone on record in the Atlantic is held jointly by hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, both of which resulted in $125 billion in property damage during the year they occurred.” - Wikipedia
“Even with our improved warning systems, thousands of Americans lives were lost in extreme weather events over the last ten years.During the past ten years more than 80 of these extreme events occurred in the United States, resulting in damage to infrastructure, crops, homes, and businesses exceeding $1 billion each, and total losses exceeding $500 billion.” - noaa.gov
4 Types of Damage Caused by Hurricanes
The following are four causes of hurricane damage resulting in physical, emotional and economic hardship.
#1 Strong Winds
Windy days are typically refreshing, especially in the summer heat, but strong, hurricane winds can result in extensive damage. Hurricane winds have the power to uproot trees and debris, turning them into high-speed projectiles.
#2 Storm Surge
Storm surges are the deadliest result of hurricanes. The hurricane winds can cause sea levels to rapidly rise as the hurricane makes landfall. These surges can pummel the area, engulfing any object its path.
#3 Flooding
Prolonged rainfall accompanies hurricanes, which can result in significant flooding--up to 50 inches, as recorded for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. This can damage lower levels of buildings, vehicles, vegetation, etc.
#4 Tornadoes
Hurricane wind speeds can easily create several smaller tornado paths, uprooting trees and homes, creating more windborne debris projectiles.
Protect Your Home From Hurricane Damage
Boarding up your windows and stocking up on ice and generator fuel are a couple ways to prepare your home for an impending hurricane.
There are a few more ways to proactively protect your home from hurricane damage, including Bertha™ impact window and door installations.
Use this hurricane prep list to see if you’re properly preparing your home for a hurricane, and download the guide below to shop for windows that best meet your lifestyle and hurricane prep needs.
