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As Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday evening, reports of a new hurricane: Nadine are swirling.
Meteorologists have predicted that the 2024 hurricane season is going to be an active one, with the official season running from August to October.
Whilst many hurricanes that form do not pose any danger, those that do are able to cause significant destruction. The deadliest hurricane ever recorded was the the Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh, which killed over 300,000 people.
How Do Hurricanes Form?
Hurricanes form over the ocean, when water evaporates creating low pressure zones. These zones pull in water and air, and the earth’s rotation creates a spiral. This low pressure zone continues to suck up moisture, making the spiral move stronger and faster.
As hurricanes form above water, they don’t become dangerous to human life until they make landfall. This doesn’t happen for every hurricane, with many forming and then dissipating over the sea.
However, when they do hit land, especially if they have been forming for a long time, they can cause huge storm surges and strong winds, which can destroy homes, flood streets and even be deadly.
Why Are Hurricanes Dangerous?
Hurricanes come with incredibly strong winds and very high rainfall, which can cause damage and flooding to the land areas it hits. However, it is not the hurricane itself, but the by products of it that are the most dangerous.
High winds, especially in a category 3, 4 and 5 hurricane can damage and flood homes, making them dangerous for the people within them. On the outside, they can pull down trees, which cause damage as they fall, and flood roads, wiping out cars.
The significant amount of debris that flies around in a hurricane is dangerous, which is why governments encourage people to bolt up their doors and evacuate, or stay inside.
With hurricane Milton showing how devastating the effects of a hurricane can be, we wanted to spotlight the tech that can help keep you safe in a hurricane. Let’s take a look:
Smart Doorbell
When a hurricane makes landfall, it can be incredibly dangerous to step outside. Not just because of strong winds, but also flying debris, broken power lines and trees that might fall.
Having a Google Nest, Ring Doorbell or any other smart camera on your door can help you see what is happening outside. This can help identify any potential dangers and keep an eye on the property.
Buy one here.
Purifying Water Bottles
Hurricanes can cause a lot of flooding, which may affect the local water supply. Investing in a smart water bottle that not only purifies water, but also removes any parasites, can help keep you safe during this time.
Not to mention, flooding can make it hard to get to a shop – making this an important resource.
Buy one here.
Drones
Assessing the damage after a hurricane can be difficult, especially if there is a lot of flooding. Having a drone can help you assess the situation, without having to leave your house.
Though they can be expensive, drones are very useful tools, especially during natural disasters.
Buy one here.
Power Bank
One of the main things that can happen during a hurricane is loss of power. This is mainly due to damage to power lines and other infrastructure.
Having a strong power bank can help keep you safe and contactable during the disaster. Investing in one that can charge your phone multiple times ensures you have charge even if the power is out for multiple days.
Buy one here.
Smart Lights
When the power goes it, especially in an entire area, moving around the house during a hurricane can be dangerous. Smart lights operate on battery power, meaning they can help guide you even when the power is off.
Usually cheap and easy to install, they are a smart piece of tech for anyone navigating a hurricane.
Buy one here.
GPS Wearables
When powerlines go down, so can phone reception. Having a GPS tracker on your body means people can find you, even if you have no phone signal.
Rechargeable and lasting many days, these small devices can help keep track of loved ones when they are uncontactable.
Buy one here.
Satellite Phones
Normally used for people exploring off-grid, satellite phones can be a lifesaving tool when phone reception is down.
These small devices can withstand harsh weather conditions, allowing people to communicate and share their locations even if power is out.
Buy one here.