Preparing for the 2021 Hurricane Season with Permacast
Hurricane season is officially here. From the start of June through the end of November, many locations from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean Sea and Central Pacific Ocean, become vulnerable to tropical storms, high winds, and flooding. With the potential for high destruction and devastation to communities, cities, and nature, the experts at Permacast are diving into the severity of hurricanes and sharing the best ways to protect your property and loved ones.
Naming Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
It isn’t every day that a severe storm earns a name. Naming a tropical storm begins as soon as its winds pick up to a minimum of 39 mph in order to streamline communication, send out warnings and updates to the public, and avoid confusion between other tropical storms and hurricanes. A list of names in alphabetical order is rotated every six years and alternates between female and male names. If a hurricane is significantly devastating, such as hurricane Laura, which hit Louisiana on August 27, 2020, the name is taken out of rotation and becomes retired. This year, you can keep your eyes and ears open for these 2021 storm and hurricane names: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Elsa, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Julian, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, and Wanda.
2020 Hurricane Season Recap
Last year’s hurricane season was one of the most active seasons in history, with 14 named hurricanes in addition to seven major hurricanes resulting in over $50 billion in damages and three retired names. Hurricane Laura may have been the most catastrophic with wind speeds rushing at 150 mph and claiming approximately 42 lives. This category four hurricane is said to be the fifth strongest storm on record to have made a continental U.S. landfall. Trailing not too far behind were storms Eta and Iota, which hit just two weeks apart from one another. Hurricane Eta was confirmed as a category four hurricane, bringing 20 inches of rain and wind speeds at 140 mph over Central America. Before the area had time to recover, hurricane Iota, a category five hurricane, brought 155 mph winds just 15 miles away. While predictions for the 2021 hurricane season seem to be above average in terms of severity, experts are confident that this year’s activity will not reach the level of 2020.
Benefits of a Floodwall
As you find comfort in the storm predictions heading into the 2021 hurricane season, it is still imperative that we stay proactive to combat any type of damage and destruction caused by high winds and heavy rains. One of the most trusted ways to protect an area from intense flooding caused by a tropical storm is with a floodwall. Permacast floodwalls and floodgates built around communities, cities, and residential areas inhibit floodwaters from seeping into buildings and causing major issues to roadways while upholding the beauty, historical aesthetic, and integrity of the landscape. Ideal for areas that are prone and vulnerable to hurricanes, the Permacast technology used for our ballistic resistant design walls is the same technology used to construct our floodwalls. This means that a Permacast floodwall is capable of withstanding the strongest of winds while holding back rising floodwater by utilizing at least 5,000 PSI strength concrete. Talk about resistance against Mother Nature!
How Permacast Walls Stand Up to Hurricanes
While severe and tropical storms can hit a wide range of wind and rain levels, you want to ensure your property is as secure as possible and ready to take on any storm. When it comes to Permacast walls, there is not much that these barriers cannot handle. As tropical storms rise to hurricane status and the winds increase from 39 mph to 74 mph, or even up to 111 mph and beyond as a major hurricane or category three storm, you can feel more at ease knowing your wall can handle the intensity all the way up to 250 mph. Take comfort in knowing the aftermath of a severe storm, such as fallen trees, debris, and other projectiles are also no match for a Permacast wall. This resilient and durable barrier is sure to minimize the damage done inside the wall, such as damage to your yard, equipment, building, or home.
As we navigate our way through the summer and fall months, it is especially important to prepare ourselves now with storm essentials, like extra water and food, flashlights, generators, and storm shutters. In addition, the proper security and protection around your home, office, or other facilities in the form of a Permacast wall can create both a sustainable shield and peace of mind. While you can never be too prepared, take a look at further resources and action plans that prove to be useful in brushing up on basic storm safety.