Hurricane

Hurricanes are huge storm systems that form over warm ocean water and move toward land. Hurricanes involve heavy rain, damaging wind speeds, flash flooding, and storm surge. They may cause power outages, damage to buildings and homes, and debris on roads. Hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30, with its peak in September. Due to the impacts from COVID-19, hurricane preparedness and evacuation guidelines have changed. Please review readiness suggestions for updates below.

For the latest updates on Isaias, visit the National Weather Service website.

The National Weather Service provides important safety information and critical weather forecast information. It is important to understand the types of hurricane alerts:

• Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible within your area within 48 hours. 

• Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are likely within 36 hours. 

See the below chart for characteristics of the different category hurricanes 

Category	Sustained Winds	Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds
1	74-95mph	Very dangerous winds; will produce some damage
2	96-110mph	Extremely dangerous winds; will cause extensive damage
3	111-129mph	Devastating damage will occur
4	130-156mph	Catastrophic damage will occur
5	157mph or higher	Catastrophic damage will occur

Hurricane season preparedness guidelines have been updated to reflect public safety and health guidelines established during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. All District residents are encouraged to follow safety guidelines for COVID-19, such practicing social distancing and using facial coverings to limit contact. For COVID-19 compliant hurricane preparedness, all residents are encouraged to:

• Have COVID-19 supplies stocked in their emergency kit. COVID-19 supplies should include cloth masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant cleaning supplies, sanitizing wipes, and soap.

• Stay Informed of COVID-19 impacts to sheltering by signing up for AlertDC.

• Visit the District’s COVID-19 website for the latest on public health guidance and updates to the city’s response and recovery efforts.

Before the Start of Hurricane Season

• Stay Informed through local radio, television or official social media accounts. Go to AlertDC to sign up for updates wherever you are. 

• Build or re-stock your Emergency Kit to ensure you have supplies to last you at least three days. Ensure kits have been updated to address the impacts from COVID-19 by including items such as cloth masks, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectant cleaning supplies, sanitizing wipes, and soap.

• Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family members may not all be in one place when disaster strikes.  It is important to know what you will do in case of an emergency. Plan how you will contact one another, where you will meet, and how to communicate if you lose power. 

• Make an emergency plan for your pets. If instructed to evacuate, take your pets with you. 

• Visit the District Department of Energy and Environment website for flood and flood zone information. 

• Sign up for flood insurance. 

• Prepare now - DON’T WATE UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE. 

18-36 Hours Before a Hurricane Arrives

• Secure loose objects that are too unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks). 

• Bring objects inside that could become airborne in high winds (e.g., patio furniture and garbage cans). 

• If your property floods frequently flooded, place sandbags in appropriate locations. 

• If you have a generator, make sure it is in working condition and has a supply of fuel. Never bring a generator inside your home or workplace; harmful gases (carbon monoxide) can kill. 

• Continue to monitor the weather and bring your pets inside when necessary. Visit the National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington website or Twitter for real-time information.

• District authorities will instruct you to evacuate if necessary. Times when authorities may direct you to evacuate include when:  

  • You are directed by local police or other authorities.

  • You are in a mobile home or temporary structure - these are extremely dangerous during high wind events and could cause serious damage, no matter how well anchored to the ground it may appear.

  • You are in a high-rise building; hurricane winds are stronger at higher levels.

  • You live along the coast, in a floodplain, near a river or on an island waterway.

  • If you cannot return home and need shelter, follow the official information given to you by the District Government to find the nearest available shelter in your area.

6-18 Hours Before a Hurricane Arrives

• Stay Informed through local radio, television or official social media accounts. Go to  AlertDC to sign up for updates wherever you are.  

• Stay indoors and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. 

• Close all interior doors – secure and brace external doors. 

• Turn the freezer and refrigerator to the coldest setting and keep doors closed. 

• Fill a clean bathtub and other large containers with water; a hurricane may disrupt water service. 

• Charge your cell phone so you have a full battery.  

• Turn off gas, water, and power if authorities direct you to do so. 

• If you are in a multi-story building, try to seek shelter on a lower floor until the hurricane has passed. If gathering with people outside your direct household, practice social distancing and use facial coverings as possible to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19.

• Continue to monitor the weather and bring your pets inside when necessary.  

• Visit the National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington website or Twitter for real-time information. 

• Check on your neighbors. Help people who may need additional assistance such as babies, children, the elderly, or people with access and functional needs. Use a face mask or cloth covering and practice social distancing while helping others.

During