Question on hurricanes?

Question

ok, i am from New York City and there was never a hurricane that has hit here but now i hear in the news that this summer it is possible that a hurricane could hit NYC so i just need someone who knows about hurricanes to answer this please: Ok, when a hurricane is going to hit what comes first, a flood or the hurricane, i need to know this in order to know what i should do first, get to a higher place or go somewhere that is hurricane proof.

I know this question might seem dumb to some of you but i think it is better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 1

Floods don't always happen with hurricanes. I live about 15 miles inland and have never been flooded. It is mostly the beaches here in Pensacola Florida that flood, but generally as soon as the storm is over the water quickly recedes. Now in Ivan we had a LARGE STORM SURGE, but it still did not affect us with water. It did affect some homes that were on the rivers and bays that join the gulf of Mexico because the water was pushed up into the bays and rivers. New Orleans flooded because it is below sea level. Find a safe place that is higher ground if you need to evacuate. You might find some useful information on my local tv stations website here http://www.weartv.com/hurricane/wxhurr_hurr.shtml There is a lot of hurricane preparedness information there. Stay safe!

Answer 2

Actually, it has happened, and more recently than you think.

1960: Hurricane Donna created an 11-foot storm tide in the New York Harbor that caused extensive pier damage. Forced 300 families to evacuate Long Island.

1999: Floyd, weakened to a tropical storm, brought sustained 60 mph winds and dumped 10-15 inches of rain on upstate New Jersey and New York State.

2004: The remains of Hurricane Frances in September flooded city subways, stranding some passengers aboard trains that had to be stopped by flooded tracks.

SOURCE: New York City Office of Emergency Management, LiveScience reporting

The winds tend to come first, with the flood waters afterward. The New Orleans situation was an unnatural one, due to the artificial levies that held back water from a city that was essentially below sea level. New York City is not like that. There could be flooding, as shown above, but probably not on the level of New Orleans, if that's what has you worried.

I've ridden out many hurricanes, in both Jersey and Delaware, including the full force of both Floyd and Frances. I'm just off the coast of the Delaware River and had little more than roof leaks and a bit of water in my basement.

If you are in an apartment, actually, water and power will be your main concern, since power lines often go down in a storm, so you may want to just stock up on batteries and bottled water. And don't forget that the toilet won't flush if the water and power don't work!

Also, don't believe everything the TV tells you. Listen to several stations and learn to understand weather maps now for yourself. TV tends to "hype" the weather and scare people more than they need to to make news (like we don't know this!).

Hope this helps make you feel better.

Answer 3

The floods come after the hurricane. You might be in a place that has flooding from the water but doesn't get the hurricane. You won't have time to move in between the hurricane and flood. They are very close. You should plan to evacuate early to a place farther inland. Hurricanes weaken as they go inland. So the place doesn't need to be hurricane-proof. If you drive 200 mi inland that will probably work.

Answer 4

What really comes first, among many things, is the wind, and the rain. Winds can reach up to at least 100 mph. Rain, feels like needles. When you think it's over it's not. The eye of the storm is clear for no more than five min. Then it drags up the tail behind him. But a hurricane hasn't New York or New Jersey in 180 yrs. Scientists fear that more intense hurricanes will make landfall more frequently along the U.S. coastline in the next forty yrs.

Answer 5

Hurricanes do hit the east coast, but usually further south than NYC, say around the Carolinas. Hurricanes are huge, so the first effects felt on land are wind and rain. Since hurricanes rotate counterclockwise, those on its leading edge or on the eastern side are usually worse off than those on its western side. The storm surge (flooding) occurs closer to when the eye hits land, so you'd be better off in a hurricane proof building at the outset. Better still to evacuate.

Answer 6

I guess.. the flood.. it depends.. With hurricanes you get wind and tons of rain.. before, during and after the hurricane passes so I am guessing the flooding although normally at the beginning the water levels should be ok depending on the area. Some rain is ok then when it keeps raining that is when the problem starts to arise. IMO

Answer 7

It's the hurricane system that causes the rivers to swell and flood the area. If it's headed your way and it a large storm, simply evacuate. There's no sense in placing yourself and loved ones in harm's way... Between where I live now (Carolina coast) and where I grew up (Florida), I've been through many and it's never fun!

Answer 8

You would definately get storm surge first-- and then the wind and rains----best case scenario---leave that freaking place--hurricanes do have a soft side in that they give you plenty of time to go----so go ----alot of people would give you that advice who know quite well what these things can do--especially in a very large city

Answer 9

I live in New England and have lived through many, though none as severe as the recent season that devastated the south. I have a few links for you that I utilize when I teach this topic to my students in middle school.
:-)
http://science.howstuffworks.com/hurricane.htm
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/Hurricanes/
http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/index.html