Tropical cyclones with an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation, and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (61 kph) or less are called “tropical depressions”. Once the tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 39 mph (63 kph) they are typically called a “tropical storm” and assigned a name.

If maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph (119 kph), the cyclone is called:

A hurricane in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, and the South Pacific Ocean east of 160°E, (The word hurricane comes from the Carib Indians of the West Indies, who called this storm a huracan. Supposedly, the ancient Tainos tribe of Central America called their god of evil “Huracan”. Spanish colonists modified the word to hurricane.),

A typhoon in the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline (super typhoon if the maximum sustained winds are at least 150 mph / 241 kph),

A severe tropical cyclone in the Southwest Pacific Ocean west of 160°E or Southeast Indian Ocean east of 90°E,

A severe cyclonic storm in the North Indian Ocean, and

Just a tropical cyclone in the Southwest Indian Ocean.
Hurricanes are further classified according to their wind speed. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane’s present intensity. This is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall.

Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf in the landfall region. Note: all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average.

Hurricane force winds can turn landscaping materials into missiles that can break windows and doors. Replace gravel/rock landscaping materials with shredded bark and keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house. 

Buy the materials you need to brace garage doors and windows. If you live in a mobile home make sure you know how to secure it against high winds. If you have a boat on a trailer, it too needs to be protected. Make sure you’ll be able to move it close to the house, fill it with water to weigh it down and lash it securely to the trailer. You’ll need to be able to anchor the trailer to the ground or house. 

Consider retrofitting your home against hurricane damage. This can be an expensive project, but you can do it in stages. Insurance companies may offer discounts for retrofitting which can help offset the cost. 

Protect windows and doors against breakage. Much of the property damage associated with hurricanes occurs after the windstorm when rain enters structures through broken windows, doors and openings in the roof. Install impact-resistant windows or hurricane shutters. 

Make certain doors have at least three hinges and a dead bolt security lock with a bolt at least one inch long. Since sliding glass patio doors are more vulnerable to wind damage than most other doors, consider installing impact-resistant doors made of laminated glass, plastic glazing or a combination of plastic and glass. 

Rita, the third Category 5 hurricane of the season, was a destructive and deadly hurricane that devastated portions of southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana and significantly impacted the Florida Keys.

A tropical wave and the remnants of an old front combined to produce and area of disturbed weather on 16 September. This system became a depression just east of the Turks and Caicos Islands late on 17 September, which moved westward and became a tropical storm the following afternoon. Maximum winds increased to 70 mph as Rita moved through the central Bahamas on September 19. While the storm did not strengthen during the following night, rapid intensification began on September 20 as it moved through the Straits of Florida. Rita became a hurricane that day and reached Category 2 intensity as the center passed about 50 miles south of Key West, Florida.

After entering the Gulf of Mexico, Rita intensified from Category 2 to Category 5 in about 24 hours. The maximum sustained winds reached 165 mph late on September 21, and the hurricane reached a peak intensity of 180 mph early on September 22. Weakening began later that day and continued until landfall around 0740 UTC 24 September just east of the Texas/Louisiana border between Sabine Pass and Johnson’s Bayou. At that time, maximum sustained winds were 115 mph (Category 3). Weakening continued after landfall, but Rita remained a tropical storm until reaching northwestern Louisiana late on 24 September. The cyclone then turned northeastward and merged with a frontal system two days later. Rita brought hurricane conditions to southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas. A FCMP instrumented tower at Port Arthur reported 1-min average winds of 94 mph at 0826 UTC September 24 along with a gust of 116 mph. The C-MAN station at Sea Rim State Park, Texas reported 2-minute average winds of 82 mph at 0700 UTC September 24, along with a peak gust of 99 mph. The hurricane caused storm-surge flooding of 10 to 15 ft above normal tide levels along the southwestern coast of Louisiana, caused a notable surge on the inland Lake Livingston, Texas, and inundated portions of the New Orleans area previously flooded by Katrina. Tropical storm conditions occurred in the Florida Keys, where the C-MAN station at Sand Key reported 10-minute average winds of 72 mph at 2110 UTC September 20 with a gust to 92 mph. The station failed shortly thereafter. Storm surge flooding of up to 5 feet above normal tide levels occurred in the Keys.

• Minimize the distance you must travel to reach a safe location; the further you drive the higher the likelihood of encountering traffic congestion and other problems on the roadways.
• Select the nearest possible evacuation destination, preferably within your local area, and map out your route. Do not get on the road without a planned route, or a place to go.
• Choose the home of the closest friend or relative outside a designated evacuation zone and discuss your plan with them before hurricane season.
• You may also choose a hotel/motel outside of the vulnerable area.
• If neither of these options is available, consider the closest possible public shelter, preferably within your local area.
• Use the evacuation routes designated by authorities and, if possible, become familiar with your route by driving it before an evacuation order is issued.
• Contact your local emergency management office to register or get information regarding anyone in your household whom may require special assistance in order to evacuate.
• Prepare a separate pet plan, most public shelters do not accept pets.
• Prepare your home prior to leaving by boarding up doors and windows, securing or moving indoors all yard objects, and turning off all utilities.
• Before leaving, fill your car with gas and withdraw extra money from the ATM.
• Take all prescription medicines and special medical items, such as glasses and diapers.
• If your family evacuation plan includes an RV, boat or trailer, leave early. Do not wait until the evacuation order or exodus is well underway to start your trip.
• If you live in an evacuation zone and are ordered to evacuate by state or local officials, do so as quickly as possible. Do not wait or delay your departure, to do so will only increase your chances of being stuck in traffic, or even worse, not being able to get out at all.
• Expect traffic congestion and delays during evacuations. Expect and plan for significantly longer travel times than normal to reach your family’s intended destination.
• Stay tuned to a local radio or television station and listen carefully for any advisories or specific instructions from local officials.

Floods occur when water covers land which is normally dry. Floods in Australia range from localised flash flooding as a result of thunderstorms, to more widespread flooding following heavy rain over the catchment areas of river systems. Flooding is also a regular seasonal phenomenon in Northern Australia. Australian towns were built on floodplains despite warnings from local Aborigines. Nyngan (meaning flood in its local Aboriginal language) was severely flooded on 23 April 1990.

Gundagai was rebuilt on a new site after a flood in 1852 wiped out 71 buildings, and 89 of the town’s 250 inhabitants died. More people would have perished were it not for the heroism of local Aborigine Yarri of the Wiradjuri people and his mate Jackie, who saved more than 40 people using a simple bark canoe.

Recently, town councils and shires have started mapping the 100-year flood areas so that the extent of the flood plain can be mapped for town planning, building regulations and zoning for land use to avoid building on flood-prone areas. Regional flood mitigation programs have been initiated by the Australian Government to work with state and territory governments.