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intensify until they reach hurricane strength. This heat and <br /> moisture from the warm ocean water is the energy source of a <br /> hurricane. Hurricanes weaken rapidly when deprived of their <br /> energy source by traveling over land or entering cooler waters. <br /> When a hurricane threatens the coast, advisories are issued <br /> by the NHC. The storm's current location and intensity are <br /> described along with its projected path. Advisories are issued <br /> at 6-hour intervals: 5:00 A.M., 11:00 A.M., 5:00 P.M., and <br /> 11:00 P.M., Eastern Time. <br /> In addition to advisories, the NHC may issue a hurricane watch <br /> or warning. A Hurricane Watch is issued 48 hours in advance <br /> of the anticipated arrival of tropical-storm- force winds. A <br /> Hurricane Warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the <br /> anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. <br /> Advisories and hurricane watches and warnings will frequently <br /> refer to the category of a storm. Hurricanes are classified <br /> using the Saffir-Simpson scale as follows: <br /> • Category 1 — Winds 74 to 95 mph; <br /> • Category 2 — Winds 96 to 110 mph; <br /> • Category 3 — Winds 111 to 129 mph; <br /> • Category 4 — Winds 130 to 156 mph; and <br /> • Category 5 — Winds 157 mph or higher. <br /> Hurricane damage occurs through two means — high winds <br /> and storm surge. Generally it is the wind that produces most <br /> of the property damage associated with hurricanes, while the <br /> greatest threat to life is from flooding and storm surge. <br /> Although hurricane winds can exert tremendous pressure <br /> against a structure, a large percentage of hurricane damage is <br /> caused not from the wind itself, but from flying debris. Tree <br /> limbs, signs and sign posts, roof tiles, metal siding, and other <br /> loose objects can become airborne missiles that penetrate the <br /> outer shells of buildings, destroying their structural integrity and <br /> allowing hurricane winds to act against interior walls not <br /> designed to withstand such forces. Once a structure's integrity <br /> is breached, the driving rains associated with hurricanes can <br /> enter the structure and completely destroy its contents. <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 13 <br />