Before one decides on the need for hurricane protection, knowledge of what is a hurricane can help homeowners, businesses, and government agencies better prepare them in the event of a hurricane.

What is a hurricane?

A hurricane is a natural weather phenomena that occurs in the warm waters of both Atlantic and Pacific oceans.  Hurricanes are also commonly referred to as a tropical cyclone, because they originate in warm tropical waters and move in a spinning motion.  Hurricanes can vary in size and can reach hundreds of miles in diameter.   The winds and rain associated with the onslaught of a hurricane upon a human population can cause loss in human life, let alone the billions of dollars worth of property damage.  The effective hurricane protection and planning could have prevented the displacement of the hundreds of thousands of Americans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.   Hurricane Katrina is highly regarded as the worst natural disaster and hurricane to hit a metropolitan area in recorded history, numerous deaths and causing billions of dollars in property damages across a large swath of coastal area along the Gulf States.

Why hurricane protection may matter to you

Hurricane protection can apply to every aspect of life for residents in areas prone to being struck by a hurricane.  While meteorological scientist have gain many advances in understanding the behavior of a hurricane, forecasters at this time can only give a very educate guess at its track and strength.  Even when forecasters do better understand the complex forces in nature at work in and around a hurricane, people must take hurricane protection seriously.

Family and home hurricane protection

Families and individuals should have previously drawn-up plan in case of a hurricane that will protect themselves, their families, pets.  Everyone in a hurricane prone region, should have enough supplies to live without outside help for at least three days.  In case of residents of a region must evacuate before a hurricane's landfall, individuals and families ought to devise a hurricane evacuation route and safe point.   In the event of hurricane evacuation, families must be prepared to evacuate in enough time in advance of a hurricane.

Home hurricane protection can take on several forms, from covering windows and doors to the use of stronger building materials and home design considerations.  A homeowner may need to incorporate several strategies for their home hurricane protection plan.  For instance an individual may choose to buy a home in area with strict building codes relating to ability of a home withstand the direct effects of a hurricane.

Home hurricane protection for windows and doors is a large and growing industry.  Consumers can choose from several forms of hurricane protection, such as hurricane protection screens, shutters, hurricane glass, and plywood boards.

Business hurricane protection

Business owners must have a business hurricane protection plan in place that will protect every aspect of their business and its assets, such as company documents, computer systems, and information networks.   Small, medium, and large businesses should also have a business hurricane protection policy for employees that allow them proper time to prepare their homes before a hurricane hits.  Employers should have a system that assess the conditions of its workforce after a hurricane and help provide resources to employees affected by a hurricane.