Goldsboro, N.C. — As the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1, emergency officials are urging residents across North Carolina and the southeastern U.S. to prepare early and understand the full scope of hurricane hazards—not just wind, but the far-reaching impacts that come with every tropical system.

While hurricanes are often defined by wind speed, their greatest threats frequently lie in less visible but equally deadly forces such as storm surge, inland flooding, rip currents, and even tornadoes. A deeper understanding of these dangers can help residents make better decisions, reduce risk, and ultimately save lives.

Storm Surge and Storm Tide: The Coastal Threat That Reaches Inland

Among the most destructive and lethal components of a hurricane is storm surge—the abnormal rise of seawater generated by a storm’s winds. When combined with the regular astronomical tide, the total water level is known as the storm tide, which can inundate coastal areas with devastating effect.

Storm surges can rise well over 20 feet and travel several miles inland, destroying buildings, roads, and bridges, and reshaping coastlines in a matter of hours. In areas like estuaries and bayous, storm surges also lead to saltwater intrusion, threatening local ecosystems and drinking water supplies.

Heavy Rainfall and Inland Flooding: A Quiet But Deadly Force

For residents living away from the coast, inland flooding caused by torrential rains poses one of the greatest hurricane-related threats. Tropical cyclones can dump over six inches of rain, with larger or slower-moving storms producing even higher totals.

Floodwaters can rise rapidly—especially in hilly or urban areas—leading to flash floods that catch communities off guard. In North Carolina, past hurricanes such as Ivan in 2004 and Frances in the same year caused severe flooding even hundreds of miles from the coast. Flooding can persist for days or weeks after a storm has passed, causing prolonged disruption and danger.

Authorities continue to stress the importance of obeying road closures and remembering the life-saving phrase: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

High Winds: Destruction That Reaches Beyond the Shoreline

Hurricane winds begin causing concern at 74 mph, the minimum threshold for classification on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. These winds can tear roofs from homes, snap trees, and turn unsecured objects into dangerous projectiles.

Even tropical storm-force winds (39–73 mph) can be hazardous, especially for mobile homes, older structures, and outdoor workers. Wind damage is not confined to the coastline. When Hurricane Charley struck Florida in 2004, it caused significant wind damage far inland with gusts exceeding 100 mph in areas well away from landfall.

Rip Currents: Deadly Waters Far From the Storm

Long before a hurricane makes landfall, its winds can generate powerful waves and currents that pose serious risks to swimmers along the coast—even thousands of miles away from the storm center. These waves can create rip currents, fast-moving channels of water that flow away from the shore.

Rip currents have proven deadly. In 2008, Hurricane Bertha, while more than 1,000 miles offshore, was responsible for three drownings in New Jersey and over 1,500 lifeguard rescues in Ocean City, Maryland. In 2009, all six U.S. deaths attributed to tropical systems were the result of rip current drownings.

Tornadoes: Twisters Hidden in the Rain Bands

Though not as common or powerful as those formed in supercell storms, tornadoes can spin off from hurricanes, especially within the outer rain bands and near the storm’s eyewall. These tornadoes tend to be short-lived but can still cause serious damage.

For example, Hurricane Frances in 2004 spawned numerous tornadoes as it tracked inland, damaging homes and infrastructure across the southeastern U.S. Tornado warnings remain a critical component of any hurricane warning system, especially as storms move inland.

A Call to Prepare

As communities across North Carolina and the broader Atlantic and Gulf coasts look toward another hurricane season, preparedness is key. Knowing the types of threats a hurricane brings—not just from wind, but water—can be the difference between life and death.

Residents are encouraged to:

• Review and update emergency plans and supply kits.
• Know their evacuation zones and routes.
• Stay informed through trusted local and national weather sources.
• Avoid complacency—especially if living inland or in areas not typically associated with storm surge or hurricane-force winds.

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