Hurricane Locations

A hurricane is a storm front that starts off in a tropical environment. There are three different types of storms that form in the tropics:

Tropical depression. This is a group of clouds and thunderstorms that have winds blowing at no more than 38 miles per hour.
Tropical storm. These storms are made up of a group of thunderstorms that move together and have a wind velocity of 39 through 73 miles per hour.
Hurricane. A hurricane is made up of a powerful thunderstorm with accompanying winds that blow at 74 miles per hour or more.

Where do they occur?

Hurricanes only form in tropical areas. The majority of hurricanes begin over the Atlantic Ocean, and Florida is the state that is most commonly hit by hurricanes due to its close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. On average, there are 11 storms that form in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico areas. Most of them will never reach land, but they still pose dangers in the form of massive rainfall and potential flooding. Out of those 11 storms, there will usually be 5 or 6 that turn in to full blown hurricanes. Only a few hurricanes will actually go inland, but they pose an even greater threat for high winds and flooding than tropical storms.

Why do storms form in those locations?

Hurricanes are powered by warm water, so they do not occur in areas where the sea temperature is cold. For a hurricane to form, the water must be at least 80 degrees. Cold water will actually cause a hurricane or other tropical storm to dissipate. When warm waters, rough weather conditions and strong winds combine, the end result is likely to be a tropical storm or hurricane.

When are they most common?

Hurricane season begins in June, and continues until the end of November. They are most common in August, but can strike at any time during these months.

People who plans on traveling to any tropical region during this time period should pay close attention to weather forecasts before they leave. Make sure there are no storm fronts that are close to your destination which could grow and become hurricanes.

Anyone who lives near the Atlantic, or other tropical zones, should be aware of the possibility of hurricanes or other forms of tropical storms. Everyone in this region should prepare for possible emergencies, and always be alert during Hurricane Season.

Orlando, Florida 20 North Orange Avenue Suite 1600 Orlando, Florida 32801 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Tampa, Florida One Tampa City Center 201 N. Franklin Street, 7th Floor Tampa, Florida 33602 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Jacksonville, Florida 76 S. Laura Street Suite 1100 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Fort Myers, Florida 12800 University Drive Suite 600 Fort Myers, Florida 33907 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Davie, Florida 7450 Griffin Road Suite 230 Davie, Florida 33314 Telephone: (800) 896-2709
St. Petersburg, Florida 695 Central Avenue, Suite 150J St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Atlanta, Georgia 191 Peachtree Street NE Suite 4200 Atlanta, GA 30303 Telephone: (800) 896-2709	Jackson, Mississippi 188 East Capitol St Jackson, Mississippi 39201 Telephone: (800) 896-2709

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