Frequently Asked Questions about Hurricanes

What is a hurricane?

A hurricane is a tropical system with maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph. At the center of the hurricane is an "eye" that varies in size but is commonly 20 to 30 miles wide. While the storm itself may extend out from the eye several hundred miles, hurricane force winds (74 mph) routinely extend 50 to 100 miles out of the eye. Atlantic hurricanes "spin" in a counter clockwise rotation that is started by the rotation of the earth.

When is hurricane season?

June 1 to November 30.

When is the last time a hurricane made landfall in the Florida Keys?

September 25, 1998 Hurricane Georges made landfall near Key West affecting all of the Florida Keys.  The most sever damage was in the Lower Keys area.  On August 24, 1992, the southern portions of Hurricane Andrew struck an exclusive community know as Ocean Reef located at the northern tip of Key Largo. The last hurricane prior to that was Hurricane Betsy in 1965.

If I am visiting the Keys and a hurricane threatens, will I be given ample notice to leave?

Yes. Although forecasting is not an exact science, the National Hurricane Center has been very accurate in predicating the future path of storms. Tourists are given several days advance warning, and in the event of a mandatory evacuation, tourists are evacuated first.

Tropical Weather Terminology

Tropical Wave: a cluster of thunderstorms and clouds that are unorganized and show no evidence of circulation.

Tropical Depression: a more organized area of clouds and thunderstorms with a center of circulation and sustained winds less than 39mph.

Tropical Storm: a well organized group of thunderstorms and clouds with a concentrated center and sustained winds of 39mph to 73mph. Tropical Storms can quickly develop into hurricanes. Tropical systems are named when they reach tropical storm strength.

Hurricane: tropical system with maximum sustained winds of 74mph or greater. At the center of the hurricane is an "eye" that varies in size but is commonly 20 to thirty miles wide. While the storm itself may extend out from the eye several hundred miles, hurricane force winds (74 mph) routinely extend 50 to 100 miles out of the eye. Atlantic hurricanes "spin" in a counter clockwise rotation that is started by the rotation of the earth.

Saffir-Simpson Scale: hurricanes are categorized by strength according to the Saffir-Simpson scale (see below).

Tropical Storm Watch: this watch is placed by the National Hurricane Center when tropical storm conditions are possible in the area placed under watch within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Warning: this warning is placed by the National Hurricane Center when tropical storm conditions are expected in the area placed under warning within 24 hours.

Hurricane Watch: this watch is placed by the National Hurricane Center when hurricane conditions are possible in the area placed under watch within 36 hours.

Hurricane Warning: this warning is placed by the National Hurricane Center when hurricane conditions are expected in the area placed under warning within 24 hours.

Storm Surge or tidal surge: the increase in tidal coastal water levels as a result of a hurricane. Generally speaking, evacuation zones are based upon likelihood of flooding.

Saffir-Simpson Scale