Hurricanes are some of the most destructive natural disasters. They cause deaths and destruction in coastal communities, and the indirect impacts can affect health systems long after the headlines fade. These impacts are more likely in marginalized populations, such as people living in low-income neighborhoods or in housing that is vulnerable to flooding and high winds.
A hurricane forms when hot, moist air rises off the ocean surface and gets pulled upward by a difference in atmospheric pressure between where the air is near the ground and where it is above. The rotation of the Earth on its axis causes this rising air to spin. As it spins, it gathers more energy and becomes a hurricane.
When a hurricane moves over cooler water or makes land, it loses its fuel and weakens. However, it can still bring dangerous winds and heavy rains, which can lead to flooding and mudslides. In addition, storm surge can push ocean water ashore and flood towns and cities near the coast.
If you live in an area prone to flooding, evacuate if instructed by local officials. If you decide to ride out the storm, find an interior room with no windows (such as a bedroom or hallway on the lowest floor) and stay there during the peak of the storm. Keep a radio tuned to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or local weather station for updates and information during the storm. Turn off and unplug any appliances that you don’t need. Keep away from downed power lines and use generators only with proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.