Just How Dangerous IS a Hurricane anyway?

Question

I know it sounds silly to ask. But just how dangerous IS a Hurricane anyway? This is my first hurricane season in south Texas, and TS(Hurricane Dolly by Tuesday morning) Dolly is headed straight for Brownsville--which isn't THAT far from me.

How dangerous is this going to be?

(and yes, I'm stocked with important supplies, water, batteries for radio, canned food, etc...)

Answer 1

it's not the hurricane that is dangerouse.. its the winds, the tornadoes it can produce and the rain it produces.. the hurricane is a body of cloads and weather that when mixed with another type of weather produces harmful things.

Answer 2

Hurricanes, and even weaker tropical systems, are dangerous in that they bring a lot more threat than just their winds. Despite the main focus being on a hurricane's winds, the biggest threat they pose is inland flooding, which causes the greatest amount of destruction and deaths.  This can and does occur long after the winds have gone down.  Taking proper precautions and leaving flood prone areas if an evacuation order is issued is the best things to do.  Then the threat to yourself will be minimized.

Answer 3

I don't kniow what's more dangerous, a Hurricane or FEMA's response to a disaster.

If you live between Galveston and the US- Mexico border, you need to prepare fast because the first rain bands will come ashore by 8am CDT.

Dolly will come ashore as a Category 1, possibly a Category 2 hurricane. The furthest away from the core, the better. So it's important to track where Dolly is going. I recommend this site:

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical

Hurricane force winds should extend about 50 to 60 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds could extend 100 miles from the center.

So here's what you can expect.

Rain and squally conditions with intermittent sunshine as the rainbands begin to pinwheel onshore. This will be replaced with more frequent rainbands and gusty winds to constant rain and gusty winds. Tornadoes are likely north and northeast of the core.

You will lose electricity, most likely. So have lots of flashlights and batteries around. Make sure you have a radio that will run off batteries. I also recommend glowsticks. DO NOT LIGHT CANDLES OR OIL LAMPS during a storm.

You will need gallons of drinking water and food and snacks that can be eaten without cooking.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

well there are high winds and heavy rain. so it could knock down trees and into expensive things.

a few years ago a part of my city flooded and literally moved cars down several blocks.