The start of summer also means the start of hurricane season. From June to November, Atlantic Canada is at risk from these powerful storms. Most of the tropical storms and hurricanes that threaten the Canadian coastline typically arrive later in the season according to the Canadian Hurricane Centre. However, now is a good time to get informed about the risks, take steps to prepare and learn more about how these severe weather events can impact the Atlantic coast.
Some good news first: the outlook provided by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that a below average number of large storms, from 8 to 13, are expected in 2014. The bad news: a single storm can still cause significant damage.
Are you at risk?
Throughout hurricane season, you can follow updates from the US and Canadian hurricane centre on the path of storms stirring in the Atlantic Ocean, from the moment they are first formed. But did you know you can also see historical data for a specific area? You can check out this interesting tool from the NOAA to see if you live in an area that’s been in the path of tropical storms and hurricanes in the past. You may be surprised to see that coastal storms, such as Hurricane Hazel in 1954, have affected regions as far as Central Canada.
Preparing for hurricanes is much like preparing for any other emergency or natural disaster. Once you know the risks, you should have a plan for your family and an emergency preparedness kit. These types of storms bring with them powerful sustained winds and significant rainfall. Flooding, wind damage and prolonged power outages are all a possibility, as many Nova Scotians experienced after Hurricane Juan struck in 2003.
Here’s additional information from the Red Cross to help you plan and prepare for tropical storms and hurricanes.
Some good news first: the outlook provided by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that a below average number of large storms, from 8 to 13, are expected in 2014. The bad news: a single storm can still cause significant damage.
Are you at risk?
Throughout hurricane season, you can follow updates from the US and Canadian hurricane centre on the path of storms stirring in the Atlantic Ocean, from the moment they are first formed. But did you know you can also see historical data for a specific area? You can check out this interesting tool from the NOAA to see if you live in an area that’s been in the path of tropical storms and hurricanes in the past. You may be surprised to see that coastal storms, such as Hurricane Hazel in 1954, have affected regions as far as Central Canada.
This screen capture from the NOAA website shows historical data of Category 1 and 2 hurricanes that hit the Nova Scotia coast since they began tracking this information more than a century ago.
How do you prepare?Preparing for hurricanes is much like preparing for any other emergency or natural disaster. Once you know the risks, you should have a plan for your family and an emergency preparedness kit. These types of storms bring with them powerful sustained winds and significant rainfall. Flooding, wind damage and prolonged power outages are all a possibility, as many Nova Scotians experienced after Hurricane Juan struck in 2003.
Here’s additional information from the Red Cross to help you plan and prepare for tropical storms and hurricanes.
