|
Every now and again Mother Nature deals us a rotten hand and we have to put up with the nasty hurricanes. We've been through so many over the years we've learned this: it's best not to panic! But in case you're wondering here's our official policy.
It is the policy of Harris Properties Vacation Rentals to not refund money in the event of a hurricane unless it reaches these two status' :
1. It is a named hurricane {not a Tropical Depression or Tropical Storm}
2. The area in which you are staying has a mandatory evacuation from the State of Alabama. In this event, you will receive a refund for the days of your stay {minus the cleaning fee} that fall after the mandatory evacuation starting with the day of the mandatory evacuation.
If there is a mandatory evacuation you MUST evacuate. Harris Properties is not responsible for you, your belongings or your car/s if you stay. Under certain circumstances we may be willing to work out other arrangements, please call us to discuss.
|
Hurricane Facts
1. A hurricane is a fierce storm with strong winds rotating around a moving center of low atmospheric pressure.
2.Hurricanes rotate counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere.
3. Maximum wind speeds must be 73 miles per hour or more. Once winds go below 73 miles-per-hour, it is a tropical storm.
4. The word hurricane is regional -- applying to tropical cyclones in the north Atlantic Ocean, parts of the northeast Pacific Ocean and parts of the south Pacific Ocean.
5. A typhoon is the same thing occurring in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
6. Hurricane season lasts June 1 through November 30. It is rare, but hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic as early as March or as late as December.
7. 36% of all U.S. hurricanes hit Florida.
8. 76% of Category 4 or higher hurricanes hit Florida or Texas
9. The categories are determined by the Saffir-Simpson Scale:
-- CATEGORY ONE : winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr).
-- Storm surge 4-5 feet above normal.
-- No real damage to buildings or structures.
-- Shrubs, loose signs and unanchored mobile homes may sustain
some damage. Coastal flooding is possible.
-- CATEGORY TWO : winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr).
-- Storm surge 6-8 feet above normal.
-- Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees as well as to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs and piers.
-- Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center.
-- Example: Hurricane Bonnie hit the North Carolina coast in 1998.
-- CATEGORY THREE : winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209
km/hr).
-- Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some damage to small residences.
-- Some large trees blown down. Some mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed.
-- Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures.
-- Terrain lower than 5 ft above sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more.
-- Example: Hurricane Fran hit North Carolina in 1996. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Southeast LA in 2005 as a Cat 3
-- CATEGORY FOUR: winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr).
-- Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal.
-- Roofs destroyed on many buildings and residences, Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows.
-- Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded.
-- Example: Hurricane Luis passed over the Leeward Islands in 1995.
-- CATEGORY FIVE: winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr).
-- Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal.
-- Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some buildings completely destroyed. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes.
-- Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline.
-- Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required.
-- Example: Hurricane Andrew hit Florida in 1992.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
courtesy of katc.com
|
