Text and Photo by Peter Vankevich
Those living on and visiting the Outer Banks are aware of the impacts of major storms that can occur anytime of the year. But attention is mostly focused on the Atlantic Hurricane Season that begins June 1 and will run until Nov. 30.
The National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety have teamed up to bring a hurricane safety campaign to all of North Carolina’s residents, part of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 4-10, 2025.
Detailed information on their website https://www.weather.gov/mhx/hurricaneprep
Sunday Know Your Risk: Water & Wind
Monday Prepare Before Hurricane Season/Know Your Zone/Storm Surge
Tuesday Understand Forecast Information/High Winds
Wednesday Get Moving When a Storm Threatens/Inland Flooding
Thursday Stay Protected During Storms/Tornadoes
Friday Use Caution After Storms/Rip Currents
Saturday Take Action Today
There are several forecasts released this time of the year by weather services, institutions and meteorologists regarding the level of storm activity with the number of named hurricanes and tropical cyclones expected.
These forecasts take into account several factors which are primarily the following:
Sea surface temperature. Waters above 80°F provide the energy necessary for storm formation.
Atmospheric conditions. Wind shear, which refers to changes in wind speed, direction and altitude, can either enhance or inhibit storm development. Low wind shear favors hurricane formation, while high wind shear can disrupt an emerging storm.
Moisture Levels. A humid atmosphere supports storm growth, whereas dry air can weaken or dissipate storms.
Climate Patterns. Two of the most well-known are El Niño and La Niña that can impact global weather patterns. El Niño refers to the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. This phenomenon typically occurs every few years and can last from nine months to two years. During an El Niño event, warmer waters can disrupt normal weather patterns, often leading to increased rainfall in the southern United States.
La Niña, on the other hand, is characterized by cooler sea surface temperatures in the same regions of the Pacific. It can also last for several months. La Niña tends to cause drier conditions in the southern U.S.
Currently, eastern North America is under an ENSO-neutral weather pattern, meaning neither El Niño nor La Niña conditions are present.
These are the names assigned to the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season
Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van and Wendy.
Know the Risks on the Outer Banks
The most active months for tropical systems in North Carolina are August, September and October. However, hurricanes have impacted our state as early as May and as late as November. The peak tropical activity usually occurs in a six-week period from mid-August to late September, during which time the Carolinas can experience multiple hurricanes or tropical storms within weeks of each other.
While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property, tropical storms and tropical depressions can also be devastating. The primary hazards from tropical cyclones (which include tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes) are storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high surf and rip currents.
Storm surge is water that is pushed toward the shore by winds swirling around the storm and historically has caused the largest loss of life in hurricanes. This rise in water level can cause severe flooding in coastal areas, which can submerge entire areas, cause structural damage to buildings, and wash out roads. Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers, and estuaries.
Flooding from the extreme amounts of rain a hurricane can bring has also proven to be very deadly, both over an extended period of time as well as very short-term flash flooding. Homes and businesses could flood, and flooded roads could make travel and evacuations difficult, as well as being a potentially deadly hazard to those in vehicles or on foot. Floodwaters can also contain harmful bacteria, chemicals, wildlife and other dangerous objects. Extreme rain from hurricanes can even flood areas that are not normally prone to flooding. Flooding can happen hundreds of miles inland and can persist for several days after a storm.
Hurricane-force winds can cause damage to homes and other buildings, ranging from moderate to catastrophic depending on both wind speed and structural integrity. Wind damage can lead to large areas with power and communications outages, as well as uprooting trees and making roads impassable due to debris. Signs, roofing material, and other items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes. Mobile homes are especially vulnerable to wind damage.
- Hurricanes and tropical storms can also produce tornadoes. These tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane; however, they can also occur near the eyewall.
- Waves from distant storms can produce deadly rip currents and rough surf on beaches very far away. Good weather at the beach itself does NOT mean the ocean is safe. Storms hundreds of miles off the Outer Banks have severe overwash and beach erosion.
Do not focus on the hurricane category only
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a classification system used to rate the intensity of hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds. This scale ranges from Category 1 to Category 5.
It helps communicate the potential damage and flooding a hurricane can cause, making it easier for communities to prepare and respond effectively.
Understanding the Categories
Category 1 (74-95 mph): Minimal damage, with some damage to well-constructed homes and power outages lasting a few days to a week.
Category 2 (96-110 mph): Moderate damage, including significant damage to roofing and siding, and possible major power outages that could last for weeks.
Category 3 (111-129 mph): Extensive damage, with many homes experiencing serious structural damage, leading to a high risk of injury or death due to flying debris.
Category 4 (130-156 mph): Catastrophic damage, causing severe damage to homes, with most trees uprooted and power outages lasting for weeks or months.
Category 5 (157 mph and up): Complete destruction, where a large percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, and total power loss is expected for an extended period.
This scale does not tell you about ALL of the impacts that a hurricane can produce such as that amount of rain fall or how high the storm surge may be.
Water accounts for 90% of direct deaths from tropical systems, both from storm surge and flooding rain. NWS says to pay attention to all of the impacts from a storm and not just the category. Hurricane Dorian was “just” a category 1 when it struck Ocracoke.
