Hurricane season - Three common misperceptions

When it comes to tropical weather, we often make our decisions based on past experiences and perhaps misunderstandings. We'll address some common misperceptions so you have more knowledge to make decisions as we navigate the latest hurricane season.

Every hurricane is unique. Experiencing a hurricane once doesn't mean it will be exactly like that the next time. If it was the heavy rains last time, it might be the storm surge this time. It's the luck of the draw depending on the size, strength of winds, direction of impact, etc.

While the hurricane may be small in diameter, it can still pack a punch. Even the smallest hurricanes can reach maximum category strength.

Did you know Category 5 Hurricane Andrew's hurricane-force winds only extended 100 miles in diameter? Its size was not the issue; it was mostly the dangerous but compact winds that caused $63 billion (today's dollars) in damage, wiping homes off their foundations.

Each hurricane category only addresses the wind strength. That leaves flooding rains, storm surge, rip currents and severe weather, like tornadoes, out of the picture. It's important to pay attention to all the information about a tropical storm or hurricane because the winds may be the least of your worries.

Remember Tropical Storm Alex from 2022? Maybe not under that title specifically, but you may remember its South Florida impacts as Potential Tropical Cyclone 1! Many locations across South Florida received at least 10 inches of rain, causing dangerous flooding, and this was all before Alex became an organized tropical storm.

Have you caught yourself saying any of these statements before? Keep yourself up-to-date with our tropical updates, published each weekday in the Daily Briefing.