A hurricane is a large, rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds, and organized spiral bands of thunderstorms. These storms draw power from warm ocean waters and are classified using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale based on sustained wind speed. While the question of a “safest part” within the storm is common, the reality is that no zone inside a mature hurricane is truly harmless. Safety is ultimately achieved through preparation and location outside the storm’s most intense areas, following official guidance.
Understanding the Hurricane’s Dangerous Zones
The physical structure of a hurricane is divided into three primary zones, each presenting a distinct level of threat. The most violent of these is the Eyewall, a dense ring of towering thunderstorms immediately surrounding the center. This is the region where the storm’s most powerful sustained winds, heaviest rainfall, and greatest potential for storm surge occur.
Extending outward from this core are the Rainbands, curved lines of clouds and thunderstorms spiraling toward the center. These bands can stretch for hundreds of miles and bring heavy bursts of rain and wind, interspersed with periods of relative calm. Though generally less intense than the Eyewall, the Rainbands are still dangerous and are often responsible for producing tornadoes and significant flash flooding far from the hurricane’s center.
The third and central zone is the Eye, a circular area of relatively light winds and clear skies. Even though the Eye is the calmest part of the storm, it is surrounded by the most intense weather, making it a temporary and deceptive respite.
The Deceptive Calm of the Eye
The Eye is a region of sinking air and low pressure, typically spanning 20 to 40 miles in diameter, which results in a temporary lull in wind and rain. This calm can be misleading, prompting people to mistakenly believe the storm has passed and encouraging them to venture outside.
The period of calm is brief, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the storm’s forward speed. Once the Eye passes, the intense weather of the Eyewall returns suddenly and violently from the opposite direction. This abrupt wind reversal can cause structural failure to buildings already weakened by the first half of the storm.
Furthermore, the extremely low atmospheric pressure at the center of the Eye contributes to the Storm Surge, which is a rise in sea level above the normal tide. This low-pressure effect essentially draws the ocean surface upward, and the greatest surge often arrives near or immediately following the passage of the Eye. The sudden, silent flood can trap or drown people who have left their shelter during the temporary calm.
Safety Through Action and Location
The only truly safe measure during a hurricane is to be located outside of the storm’s destructive path or in a structure specifically designed to withstand its forces. The safest and most effective action is always to evacuate immediately if authorities issue an evacuation order for your area. Following these directives places you on elevated ground away from the coast, mitigating the primary threats of storm surge and flooding.
For those who are not in an evacuation zone or who cannot leave, sheltering in place requires specific measures. The designated safe area should be a small, interior room or closet on the lowest level of a sturdy building, putting as many walls as possible between occupants and the outside. Avoiding all windows, skylights, and glass doors is imperative due to the risk of flying debris.
If flooding is a concern, moving to a higher level within the structure is advisable, but never an enclosed attic, as rising water can trap occupants. Preparing a comprehensive emergency kit well in advance is also a practical step. This kit should contain:
- Non-perishable food.
- Water (one gallon per person per day).
- Necessary medications.
- Communication devices to stay informed until officials declare the area safe.