Greenville, SC Hurricane Warning | ServiceMaster of the Upstate

If you have been in a few bad storms, pounded by rain and wind, then you realize how important it is to keep an eye on weather systems and know when to beat a retreat to avoid getting hypothermia or being benighted on the side of a mountain. The good news is that there are lots of warning signs and signals that help you predict what’s coming your way. Here are the hurricane warning signs to look out for.

How Do I Know if a Hurricane is Coming?

Weather patterns significantly influenced by heat energy from warm seas and hot, humid air around the equator are often categorized as tropical systems. Hurricane warning signs are not apparent until a hurricane has gotten close to making landfall. Those who live in areas where hurricanes are likely to strike should create a disaster plan and keep an eye on weather forecasts, particularly during the hurricane season.

Increase ocean swell

Around 72 hours before a hurricane makes landfall, ocean swells increase to about 2 meters (6 feet) in height. Waves hit the shore about every nine seconds. This is one of the earliest signs of an approaching hurricane.
As the hurricane gets closer to land, waves will hit the shore with greater rapidity and increase to close to 5 meters (16 feet) in height.

Barometric pressure drop

The barometer begins to drop roughly 36 hours before a hurricane makes landfall, slightly when the hurricane is still 30 hours away and steadily plunging as the storm nears.
While some believe a drop in barometric pressure can aggravate arthritis or lead to headaches, the most reliable way to detect a drop in barometric pressure is by checking a barometer.
Lower barometric pressure will also cause people to experience lower blood pressure.

Wind speed

Wind speed increases as a hurricane get closer to land, from around 18 kilometers per hour (11 miles per hour) 36 hours before landfall to as high as 167 kilometers per hour (104 miles per hour) one hour before landfall.
It’s gusty and grows steadily stronger, blowing unsecured items about and removing tree branches.

Heavier rainfall

Rain moves in around 18 hours before a hurricane. It’s a driving rain that comes through intermittently, worsening the closer the hurricane gets to land until it becomes a continual downpour around six hours before a hurricane hits.
This may lead to flooding in low-lying areas.

How to Prepare for a Hurricane

Review your anti-hurricane checklist last year, make an inventory if you still have stocks, and finalize your list.

Prioritize buying emergency stocked supplies, such as:

matches
water
food

first aid supplies
extra batteries
emergency kit items

Make sure you have items for COVID-19:

masks
plastic gloves
hand sanitizers

alcohol
liquid or bar soaps
medicines for bodily sustenance and strengthening of the immune system

Remember, when purchasing these items, the earlier, the better.

Hurricanes can have damaging effects on your home, so:

Coordinate with local officials about the latest evacuation plans and protocols before a hurricane strikes.
Familiarize yourself with the location of the nearest shelters and map routes, and how to get there from your home.
Study the details and other information related to the evacuation for now; it is best to be prepared in advance.

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