Hurricanes in Miami

Your home and belongings are far too valuable to be unprepared in severe weather. Homeowners in Miami know all too well the destruction that hurricanes can deliver. When a natural disaster strikes, it’s best to have a plan of action, expect the best, and prepare for the worst.

Learn how to stay ahead and find ways to help protect your loved ones and valuables. If a hurricane has already ravaged your home, don’t waste another second – contact the pros at All Dry USA to help clean up the standing water and restore your home to its pre-hurricane condition.

Does Miami Get Hurricanes?

Yes, Miami is considered a high-risk hurricane zone and receives more hurricanes than other areas in Florida. Ranked as one of the three most vulnerable cities to hurricanes in the U.S., Miami is a prime target of tropical storms due to its surrounding ocean and low-lying coastal plains. Additionally, its high humidity conditions and warm waters provide favorable conditions for these natural disasters.

What Are the Hazards Associated With Hurricanes in Miami?

Hurricanes pose a significant threat to everyone in Miami. As a resident, it’s essential to be aware of the potential hazards of these unpredictable storms and their effects. We’ll cover the dangers to look for so you’re better prepared.

Storm Surge

Storm surges are an exceptionally high rise of water created by hurricane winds that can read heights of over 20 feet, spanning hundreds of miles along the coast. This ocean swell of flood water can travel onshore, eroding beaches, tearing down structures, and flooding roads or homes.

High Winds

When the pressure decreases, cooler air is drawn into the storm, creating devastating high-speed winds. The winds are often the first sign of danger when a hurricane is approaching. 74 mph or more hurricane winds can often destroy homes by launching debris-like projectiles directly onto property lines.

Tornados

Hurricanes can spawn tornadoes, which may wreak havoc on anything sucked inside. While these East Coast tornadoes tend to be weaker than the ones in the midwest, they’re still quite devastating. It’s essential to look out for warning signs of tornadoes and their potential landfall once a hurricane strikes.

Flash Flooding and Heavy Rainfall

Hurricanes can generate torrential rainfall of several inches per hour, and prolonged heavy rainfall and storm surges may lead to destructive floods. Flash flooding can continue days after the storm, overwhelming roadways and bridges.

What Should You Do Before a Hurricane?

• Make an emergency plan: It’s essential to create a plan with your family, so everyone knows what to do during the emergency. This includes knowing your evacuation route if you need to leave your property and find shelter.
• Locate valuable documents: Make copies of important documents such as your social security card, birth certificate, state-issued I.D. or driver’s license, and insurance policies.
• Build an emergency preparedness kit: Your kit should contain the essentials for survival, such as water, food, supplies, and medicines for at least several days. Also, include a flashlight, first aid kit, and batteries in your arsenal.
• Review your insurance policies: Not all home and personal property insurance will cover hurricane damages. You’ll need to review your insurance policies and ensure adequate coverage. You may consider getting flood insurance since not all homeowner’s insurances cover damages from floodwaters.
• Sign up for trusted alerts when warning: You want to be notified in real-time as soon as you know a storm is approaching. Your local news, national weather organizations, FEMA, and RedCross, have apps where you can receive real-time alerts about hurricanes. Also, sign up for email alerts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your local authorities.
• Prepare outside your home: Cut hanging branches or tree limbs, and secure loose items like outdoor furniture and gutters. This prevents those items from flying into your home during a storm.

What Should You Do During a Hurricane?

• Stay inside: During a hurricane, going outside is unsafe. It’s best to stay indoors unless otherwise directed by the local authorities. Don’t be near windows or doors since they can tear apart quickly in high-impact winds.
• Turn off electricity: Turn off power during a hurricane. This helps avoids hazards like fires and electrocutions.
• Listen to emergency broadcasts: Keep your radio on and listen to the latest weather updates. The local authorities will inform you about the status of the hurricane, tips for staying safe, and when to evacuate.

What Should You Do After a Hurricane?

• Stay out of floodwaters: Always be aware of flooded roads and streets near you. Avoid driving in flood waters since you can be swept or stalled in moving water.
• Don’t use wet electronics: Water is a conductor of electricity. It’s best to have an experienced electrician take a look before using them. Following electrical safety guidelines like avoiding frayed wirings or sparks and turning your power off when devices are wet can keep you safe.
• Eat safe food and drink safe water: It’s common for blackouts to occur from hurricanes since high-speed winds can knock over power lines. When the fridge has been off for a prolonged period, your food will likely spoil. In this case, throwing away food that’s no longer fresh is essential. Also, dispose of food that has come in contact with flood water.
• Check for injuries and seek medical attention if needed: Check yourself and loved ones for injuries. If you suspect that you or someone may be injured, it’s important to get medication attention immediately.
• Assess the damage: Once everyone is safe, assess the damage in and around your property. Document the damage by taking pictures and videos, which will ensure you receive full compensation when filing an insurance claim. Also, contact a hurricane repair services company at www.alldryus.com to help restore your home to its original condition.

Types of Property Damage Caused by Miami Hurricanes

The city of Miami is no stranger to the destructive forces of hurricanes. Storm surges, rainfall, and high gusts of winds are the main culprits of property damage during a hurricane. Here are the types of property damage that Miami hurricanes can cause.

Roof Damage

Hurricanes can deal a significant blow to roofs. Even the most durable roofs can be torn off or warped by category three or four hurricanes or gale-force winds. When your roof is damaged, water can seep into the interior, causing water damage and mold growth.

Structural Damage

High-powered wind gusts can shift a home, leaving cracks in its foundation or structure. Heavy rain is another major contributor to structural damage. Inland flooding and rainfall may create excess pressure and overwhelm exterior and interior structures. This causes drywall collapse, foundation damage, and other structural issues. Unfortunately, once the structure is compromised, your home is left vulnerable to water and flying debris entering through openings.

Interior Damage

Powerful tropical storms can cause windows and doors to tear completely from their hinges. This allows flying branches and debris to enter your property, causing damage to your walls, floors, furnishings, and belongings. Not only is water damage a concern, but eventual mold growth can turn into a severe health and property problem.

Utility Damage

Power lines, HVAC systems, and septic tanks can be damaged and unusable by powerful winds and inland flooding. Flood waters can overwhelm the septic systems, causing leaks, overflow, backup, and contaminated water. It can even damage the tanks and pipes of the system, causing them to break. Additionally, powerful winds can knock down power and telephone lines, disrupting telecommunication services.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to know more about hurricanes in Miami, we’ve included answers to commonly asked questions.

How Many Hurricanes Hit Miami a Year?

Historical weather data shows that hurricanes hit Miami about once every five years. Miami, FL, is categorized as a high-risk hurricane zone, with 74 hurricanes recorded in Miami, FL, since 1930. Max wind speeds of those hurricanes range between 30 mph to 160 mph.

When Is Hurricane Season in Miami?

The hurricane season in Miami typically occurs from June through November 30. Based on historical data, September has had the most hurricanes. This time is most conducive to hurricanes since warm waters and high humidity in the atmosphere allow larger tropical storms and hurricanes to form.

Suffering From Hurricane Damage in Miami? ADU Can Help

If you live in or around Miami, hurricanes are always a threat. Hurricane preparation is crucial for protecting you and your loved one from floods, wind-borne debris, and storm surges. From planning your evacuation route to creating an emergency kit, preparing now will save you from disaster later.

If disaster has already struck, you can count on All Dry USA to restore your home to pre-hurricane conditions. We’ll work with your insurance company to ensure you get the necessary coverage, including water, mold, and storm damage repair. Trust us to help inspect, clean, dry, and fully restore the damage inside your home. Contact us today to learn more!