National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 25-31, which gives you plenty of time and no excuses not to be prepared. The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, while the Eastern Pacific hurricane season starts May 15. Both seasons end on November 30. Hurricanes cause heavy rainfall, flooding, tornados, rip currents and high, damaging winds. Depending on the severity of the hurricane—measured in categories one to five on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale—city officials might make evacuation mandatory. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. When a hurricane watch or warning alert comes through your NOAA emergency weather alert radio, put your bug-out or bug-in plan in place. Whether you choose to leave or stay, you need a plan and supplies for both.
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