“Get in the Zone” for Hurricane Awareness Week
Delaware Emergency Management Agency | Department of Safety and Homeland Security | News | Date Posted: Friday, May 26, 2023
Delaware Emergency Management Agency | Department of Safety and Homeland Security | News | Date Posted: Friday, May 26, 2023
SMYRNA, Del. – Governor John C. Carney, Jr. and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency are observing “Hurricane Awareness Week” from May 29 to June 2 by encouraging residents and visitors to “know your zone” and “get prepared” for the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1.
Hurricanes are the most intense type of tropical cyclone, a rotating weather system that forms over tropical or subtropical waters. In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones rotate counterclockwise and are classified by their maximum winds: tropical depressions have winds up to 38 mph, tropical storms from 39 to 73 mph, and hurricanes 74 mph or higher. A major hurricane has winds of at least 111 mph, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale.
Hurricane hazards include extreme winds, coastal and inland flooding, tornadoes, high surf, and rip currents. Though classified by wind speed, more than 90% of hurricane fatalities are due to flooding and storm surge. But flooding isn’t always confined to the coast: it can occur hundreds of miles inland due to excessive rainfall.
Delaware is uniquely vulnerable to coastal storms because it is located on the Delmarva Peninsula and has the lowest average elevation of any state—about 60 feet above sea level.
Recent history shows even the remnants of a system can pack a powerful punch. In August 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias spawned at least three tornadoes in Delaware according to the National Weather Service. One was a record EF2 tornado that traveled from Dover in Kent County to southwest of Glasgow in New Castle County. In Milford, one woman was killed by a falling tree after the storm. In September 2021, remnants of Hurricane Ida resulted in heavy rainfall that caused the Brandywine Creek to flood areas of downtown Wilmington. Over 200 people were rescued from flooding and millions of dollars in catastrophic property damage resulted in a federal disaster declaration for New Castle County.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is now forecasting a “near-normal 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.” That could amount to 12 to 17 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and 1 to 4 major hurricanes (111 mph or higher). NOAA predicts a high potential for the El Nino pattern to develop, which can suppress hurricane activity. However, this could be offset by favorable conditions such as warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic.
Regardless of the seasonal forecast, it only takes one storm to have a severe, life-changing impact. With the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather, it is crucial for families and businesses to be well-informed and well-prepared. Hurricane Awareness Week is a timely reminder for everyone to take necessary precautions and plan ahead.
PrepareDE.org, Ready.gov, National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, and HurricaneStrong.org offer a wealth of information and resources on how to prepare and take action. PrepareDE.org is also available in several languages. Users can click the “select language” tab at the top right of the home page.
Evacuation Zones in Delaware are identified as either A, B, C or D. These zones encompass low-lying areas susceptible to flooding and storm surge. When emergencies or disasters happen, officials issue evacuation warnings or mandatory orders for communities in impacted or potentially impacted Evacuation Zones.
It’s important to know the Evacuation Zone before a disaster strikes because it includes specific routes and proper guidance in the event of an emergency. Evacuating in a planned method by zone reduces unnecessary travel, roadway congestion and overcrowding, and allows for quicker, safer movement during emergencies and disasters. Knowing the zone in advance is a time-saving opportunity for families.
The new “Know Your Zone” webpage at PrepareDE.org can help users identify if their location is in one of the state’s four evacuation zones. Users can locate their zone in two ways: the Evacuation Zone Lookup Tool or the Interactive Evacuation Zone Map.
For the lookup tool, simply enter an address in the field and click “search.” For the interactive evacuation zone map, the PC or mobile phone must have location access enabled for the feature to work properly. By clicking the “find my zone” button, the page will automatically calculate your location from your internet data and location. If your PC’s IP address is routed through another location or server, or if your mobile phone does not have location enabled, it is best to use the lookup tool instead. Otherwise, the result will not represent the actual location.
During an emergency event, Delaware state officials will use the letter associated with the affected Evacuation Zone(s) when issuing an evacuation warning or order. Keep your specific Evacuation Zone information (A, B, C or D) in an easy to reach place, such as on your refrigerator or with other emergency information (like your emergency kit).
Look over the map of Delaware Evacuation Routes
The list of named storms for 2023 is very similar to the one from 2017 because the World Meteorological Organization reuses the names every six years, unless a storm is so powerful or damaging that its name is retired. The names Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate were retired from the 2017 season. Tropical Cyclone Names for 2023: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harold, Idalia, Jose, Katia, Lee, Margot, Nigel, Ophelia, Philippe, Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince, and Whitney.
Delaware encourages residents to take advantage of Hurricane Awareness Week by reviewing their emergency plans, updating disaster supply kits, and staying informed about weather forecasts and evacuation notices. By being prepared and informed, we can minimize risks and protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.
Experts agree the best time to prepare is now, before a storm, and there are many county, state, and federal resources to help residents get ready.
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code, Title 20,Chapter 31 §3101-3130.
Social Media: Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Delaware Emergency Management Agency | Department of Safety and Homeland Security | News | Date Posted: Friday, May 26, 2023
SMYRNA, Del. – Governor John C. Carney, Jr. and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency are observing “Hurricane Awareness Week” from May 29 to June 2 by encouraging residents and visitors to “know your zone” and “get prepared” for the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1.
Hurricanes are the most intense type of tropical cyclone, a rotating weather system that forms over tropical or subtropical waters. In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones rotate counterclockwise and are classified by their maximum winds: tropical depressions have winds up to 38 mph, tropical storms from 39 to 73 mph, and hurricanes 74 mph or higher. A major hurricane has winds of at least 111 mph, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale.
Hurricane hazards include extreme winds, coastal and inland flooding, tornadoes, high surf, and rip currents. Though classified by wind speed, more than 90% of hurricane fatalities are due to flooding and storm surge. But flooding isn’t always confined to the coast: it can occur hundreds of miles inland due to excessive rainfall.
Delaware is uniquely vulnerable to coastal storms because it is located on the Delmarva Peninsula and has the lowest average elevation of any state—about 60 feet above sea level.
Recent history shows even the remnants of a system can pack a powerful punch. In August 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias spawned at least three tornadoes in Delaware according to the National Weather Service. One was a record EF2 tornado that traveled from Dover in Kent County to southwest of Glasgow in New Castle County. In Milford, one woman was killed by a falling tree after the storm. In September 2021, remnants of Hurricane Ida resulted in heavy rainfall that caused the Brandywine Creek to flood areas of downtown Wilmington. Over 200 people were rescued from flooding and millions of dollars in catastrophic property damage resulted in a federal disaster declaration for New Castle County.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is now forecasting a “near-normal 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.” That could amount to 12 to 17 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and 1 to 4 major hurricanes (111 mph or higher). NOAA predicts a high potential for the El Nino pattern to develop, which can suppress hurricane activity. However, this could be offset by favorable conditions such as warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic.
Regardless of the seasonal forecast, it only takes one storm to have a severe, life-changing impact. With the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather, it is crucial for families and businesses to be well-informed and well-prepared. Hurricane Awareness Week is a timely reminder for everyone to take necessary precautions and plan ahead.
PrepareDE.org, Ready.gov, National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, and HurricaneStrong.org offer a wealth of information and resources on how to prepare and take action. PrepareDE.org is also available in several languages. Users can click the “select language” tab at the top right of the home page.
Evacuation Zones in Delaware are identified as either A, B, C or D. These zones encompass low-lying areas susceptible to flooding and storm surge. When emergencies or disasters happen, officials issue evacuation warnings or mandatory orders for communities in impacted or potentially impacted Evacuation Zones.
It’s important to know the Evacuation Zone before a disaster strikes because it includes specific routes and proper guidance in the event of an emergency. Evacuating in a planned method by zone reduces unnecessary travel, roadway congestion and overcrowding, and allows for quicker, safer movement during emergencies and disasters. Knowing the zone in advance is a time-saving opportunity for families.
The new “Know Your Zone” webpage at PrepareDE.org can help users identify if their location is in one of the state’s four evacuation zones. Users can locate their zone in two ways: the Evacuation Zone Lookup Tool or the Interactive Evacuation Zone Map.
For the lookup tool, simply enter an address in the field and click “search.” For the interactive evacuation zone map, the PC or mobile phone must have location access enabled for the feature to work properly. By clicking the “find my zone” button, the page will automatically calculate your location from your internet data and location. If your PC’s IP address is routed through another location or server, or if your mobile phone does not have location enabled, it is best to use the lookup tool instead. Otherwise, the result will not represent the actual location.
During an emergency event, Delaware state officials will use the letter associated with the affected Evacuation Zone(s) when issuing an evacuation warning or order. Keep your specific Evacuation Zone information (A, B, C or D) in an easy to reach place, such as on your refrigerator or with other emergency information (like your emergency kit).
Look over the map of Delaware Evacuation Routes
The list of named storms for 2023 is very similar to the one from 2017 because the World Meteorological Organization reuses the names every six years, unless a storm is so powerful or damaging that its name is retired. The names Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate were retired from the 2017 season. Tropical Cyclone Names for 2023: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harold, Idalia, Jose, Katia, Lee, Margot, Nigel, Ophelia, Philippe, Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince, and Whitney.
Delaware encourages residents to take advantage of Hurricane Awareness Week by reviewing their emergency plans, updating disaster supply kits, and staying informed about weather forecasts and evacuation notices. By being prepared and informed, we can minimize risks and protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.
Experts agree the best time to prepare is now, before a storm, and there are many county, state, and federal resources to help residents get ready.
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware’s economic base and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and authorized by Delaware Code, Title 20,Chapter 31 §3101-3130.
Social Media: Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.