The Lee County All Hazards Guide is available in Spanish and German. Click here to find out more about hurricanes and to get a copy of the All Hazards Guide (now available in Spanish and German).

What is a hurricane?
A hurricane is a gigantic atmospheric heat pump whose intake spans hundreds of miles over tropical oceans or other tropical bodies, and pulls in water from the ocean surface toward a low-pressure center. As this air rises and converges near the center of the storm (in the vicinity of the eye wall), it rises, condenses the moisture it carries and releases the latent heat, which is the fuel that drives the hurricane. The cloud droplets and ice crystals rise in a chimney-like structure located in the eye wall and are spewed out of the top of the cloud mass at an altitude of 8 to 10 miles. This exhaust product is what is usually seen by the weather satellite and typically looks like the shape of a comma.

Where do hurricanes develop?
Hurricanes form in the tropical Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico between 5° and 25° north latitude during June and July. As the season progresses, storms develop off the West Coast of Africa and are called "Cape Verde" storms, which are the islands near where the storms originate. Cape Verde hurricanes usually gain intensity as they cross the Atlantic heading westward toward the East Coast of the United States. By late October, the source region for hurricanes shifts westward to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

What do "watches" and "warnings" mean?
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible in a specified area, usually within 36 hours. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions, including possible sustained winds within the range of 39 to 73 mph, are expected in a specified area usually within 24 hours. Hurricane watch is that conditions are possible in a specified area usually within 36 hours. During a hurricane watch you should prepare to take immediate action to protect your family and property in case a hurricane warning is issued. In fact, if you wait until a hurricane warning is issued, it may be too late to evacuate. Take action early. Hurricane warnings are issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or higher associated with a hurricane are expected in a specified area within 24 hours or less.

Hurricane Categories

What is Cape Coral’s risk?
One issue for Cape Coral has to do with the city’s vulnerability to Category 2 and 3 storm surges. What that means is that in the event a Category 2 or greater storm moves in off the Gulf into the Cape Coral area, Cape Coral has a significant residential population at risk – one of the highest in Lee County. The city also has a significant number of commercial properties that fall into that storm surge area, which raises concerns about potential damage and life-threatening effects to people who choose to remain in harm’s way. The bottom line is that should a severe storm threaten the city, residents should get out early, especially the retirement community.

Some people often make the observation that Southwest Florida is an area that probably is the least frequented by storms. While that may be true, Cape Coral still must plan for the worst and hope for the best. That means anticipating at some point in time, Southwest Florida will be impacted by a storm. While it may not happen this year, the question is not "if," but rather "when" a major storm will occur.

What are the hazards of a hurricane?
There are several hazards associated with a hurricane – wind, tornadoes, torrential rain and storm surges. Wind can produce a variety of problems, including knocking out power and communication lines, blowing sand and debris, breaking trees and severing branches. Winds in excess of 45 mph can begin to cause damage to traffic signals and trees.

Tornadoes may form and cause small-scale destruction. Although these tornadoes are not as intense as the Midwest variety, they can cause tremendous damage without warning.

Torrential rains associated with tropical storms and hurricanes can cause widespread freshwater flooding inland. Amounts of 20 inches or more of rain are possible in a 24-hour period.

Storm surge is the hurricane’s main killer threat. Of the fatalities caused by hurricanes, 90 percent are due to drowning. Rising tide levels from 2 feet to 25 feet may occur in Southwest Florida if the storm makes landfall. This is enough to completely inundate most of Southwest Florida’s populated areas.

What if a major storm arrives?
The public always must be aware of the situation. The best way is to monitor local TV stations and radio stations. Updated information will be available through the local media. Hopefully, people will make informed decisions and get out of harm’s way in as timely a fashion as possible. The key is to move them out of the storm surge area.

For a list of places to go and available shelters, plenty of material is available through Lee County Emergency Management or by contacting the local fire department. Shelter availability will be determined by Lee County government, the Lee County School Board and other agencies, such as the Red Cross. The best plan is to leave early - evacuating north or south - depending on the direction of the storm.

What You Should Know

1. Know the hurricane risks in your area.

2. Learn safe routes out of your area, and the appropriate evacuation routes.

3. Learn the official locations of shelters, so that if they are open you know where to go.

4. Review the needs and working conditions of your emergency equipment, such as flashlights, battery-powered radios, etc.

6.  Obtain and store material necessary to properly secure the home, such as plywood, or have appropriate storm shutters put in place.

7.  Clear any loose or clogged drain gutters and downspouts.

8.  Keep trees and shrubs trimmed.

9.  Formulate a plan to take care of your boat.

10.  Review current insurance policies.

11.  Have plans for your pets. Where are you going to take them?

12.  Have a disaster supply kit ready, which should include a one-week supply water (1 gallon per person, per day) and food that won’t spoil, changes of clothing and footwear for each person, blankets/coverings for sleeping, first aid kits (including any prescription medicine), emergency tools, including battery-operated weather radio and portable radios, flashlights, plenty of extra batteries, extra set of car keys, cash (many times the credit card machines or tellers will not be working and cash will be in short supply), and any special items, especially if you have extremely young children and/or elderly family members. For babies, you should have plenty of diapers and formula, and for the elderly have plenty of their medication available.

Several publications are available to help people put together their hurricane plans and what they should have. The most common publication is "All Hazards Protection," a pamphlet available from Lee County Emergency Management (239/477-3600).

If planning to evacuate, take an appropriate number of items to the shelter. Please note that pets are not allowed in shelters, and special plans must be made for animals.