A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone or severe tropical storm that forms in the southern
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific
Ocean. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere,
a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.
All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes. Parts of the Southwest
United States and the Pacific Coast also experience heavy rains and floods each
year from hurricanes spawned off Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts
from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.
Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Hurricane
can produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes and mircro bursts. Additionally, hurricanes can create storm surges along the coast and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall. Floods and flying debris from the excessive winds are often the deadly and destructive results of these
weather events. Slow moving hurricanes traveling into mountainous regions tend
to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall.

For disaster related
information, vist www.FEMA.gov.