Hurricane season in the U.S. presents a unique set of challenges that many immigrants may not have encountered in their home countries.
While hurricanes in the U.S. can seem overwhelming at first, understanding what to expect and how to prepare can make all the difference when these powerful storms approach.
Many immigrants come from regions where similar storms go by different names. Whether you’re familiar with typhoons in the Philippines, cyclones in other parts of the world, or experiencing your first hurricane season in the U.S., this article will help you navigate America’s storm season.
We’ll cover what hurricane season means, which areas face the highest risk, how to understand weather alerts and warnings, and practical steps to stay safe. We’ll also explore how these storms can affect travel plans and community life.
What Is Hurricane Season in the U.S.?
Hurricane season in the United States runs officially from June 1 through November 30 each year. This six-month period covers most of the Atlantic tropical cyclone activity, making it the time when coastal communities need to stay most alert for potential storms.
These powerful weather systems form over warm ocean waters, where they gather energy to grow into the massive storms we see making headlines.
Hurricanes need ocean surface temperatures of at least 80°F (27°C) to develop and maintain their strength. As warm, moist air rises from the ocean surface, it creates an area of low pressure below, causing surrounding air to rush in and begin rotating.
The peak of hurricane season occurs around September 10, with most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October. However, storms can and do form outside these official dates, which is why meteorologists now begin issuing tropical weather outlooks on May 15.
Understanding the differences between hurricanes in the U.S., typhoons, and cyclones can be helpful. These are all the same type of storm system, just with different names depending on where they occur:
- Hurricanes form in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific.
- Typhoons develop in the Western Pacific (affecting countries like the Philippines and Japan).
- Cyclones occur in the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific regions.
What makes these storms particularly concerning is their ability to bring multiple dangers at once: strong winds can reach speeds of 74 mph (around 119 km per hour) or higher, while heavy rainfall can cause flooding far inland.
When these storms move from the ocean to land, they begin to weaken because they lose their warm water fuel source, but they often continue dumping rain and causing wind damage for hundreds of miles inland.
The good news is that modern weather tracking technology gives communities plenty of advanced warnings when storms develop, typically providing several days to prepare for potential impacts.
Which Areas Should Be Especially Aware Of?
Certain regions of the United States face higher risks during hurricane season due to their geographic location along warm coastal waters.
States along the Atlantic coast are most frequently affected by hurricanes. This includes Florida, the Carolinas (North and South Carolina), Georgia, and areas extending up to New England states like New York and Massachusetts. The Gulf Coast states also face significant hurricane activity, particularly Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
While less common, the Pacific coast can also experience tropical storms, especially in Southern California and areas near Mexico.
For immigrants living in these regions, the key is staying informed. If you’re in a hurricane-prone area, or if you’re planning to travel or expecting visitors from family back home during hurricane season in the U.S., it’s especially important to pay attention to weather forecasts and alerts.
Weather Alerts: Watches and Warnings
Understanding weather alerts can be the difference between staying safe and being caught unprepared.
The National Hurricane Center issues different types of weather alerts to keep people informed about potential storms, giving communities time to prepare or evacuate as needed.
These alerts follow a specific timeline and escalate in urgency. The key difference is timing and certainty: watches give you more time to prepare, while warnings mean conditions are imminent and you need to act immediately.
Tropical Storm Watch
A tropical storm watch means conditions with winds of 39-73 mph are possible in your area within 48 hours. Think of this as your early heads-up to start paying closer attention to weather updates.
During a tropical storm watch, you can still drive around and go about most normal activities, but start preparing your home and gathering emergency supplies. This is the time to secure outdoor furniture, check your emergency kit, and make sure your phone is charged.
Tropical Storm Warning
A tropical storm warning means those same conditions are expected within 36 hours. The storm is coming, and you need to finish your preparations now.
You should avoid unnecessary travel and complete all outdoor preparations before winds pick up. Driving becomes increasingly dangerous as winds strengthen, so this is your last chance to safely get to where you plan to ride out the storm.
Hurricane Watch
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are possible within 48 hours. This is when things get serious.
During a hurricane watch, prepare to take immediate action to protect your family and property in case a hurricane warning is issued. Review your evacuation plan and listen closely to local officials. If you have family visiting from abroad or travel plans, this is the time to seriously consider changes.
Hurricane Warning
A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Complete all storm preparations and evacuate immediately if directed by local officials.
Once a hurricane warning is issued, it’s too late for most outdoor preparations. Roads may become impassable, and emergency services may suspend operations. If you’re told to evacuate, leave immediately. This isn’t the time to wait and see how bad it gets.
How Hurricanes in the U.S. Can Affect Your Community and Travel
Hurricanes bring multiple dangers that can disrupt daily life in ways many immigrants may not have experienced before.
Strong winds can damage buildings, uproot trees, and knock down power lines, while heavy rainfall often leads to flooding that can persist for days or weeks after the storm passes.
But for immigrant families, one of the most concerning impacts is how hurricanes affect travel plans. Whether you’re expecting loved ones to visit from your home country or planning to travel yourself, understanding these disruptions helps you prepare better.
Transportation
Flight delays and cancellations are among the first impacts you’ll notice. Airlines typically halt services to destinations predicted to be impacted by a hurricane, often grounding flights 24 to 48 hours before the storm arrives.
This means if family members are flying in for a visit, their travel plans could be disrupted even if the hurricane ultimately changes course.
Road closures add another layer of complexity. Public transportation and commuter travel may be delayed both before and after storms due to flooding, debris, or damage to infrastructure.
If you’re planning to pick up visitors at the airport or need to evacuate, these road conditions can significantly impact your timing.
Accommodation and Tourism
Hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions often close in preparation for severe weather, which can leave visiting family members stranded or force you to change plans entirely.
Even after the storm passes, damage to these facilities can lead to extended closures.
Power outages are extremely common during hurricanes, affecting everything from communication systems to banking services. This can make it difficult to stay in touch with family abroad or access money when you need it most.
Be Prepared
For immigrant families, the key is building flexibility into your travel plans. We recommend checking with airlines, hotels, and car rental companies to understand their policies for hurricane-related cancellations before booking.
If you’re expecting visitors during hurricane season in the U.S. (June through November), consider travel insurance and have backup accommodation plans. Remember that even if a storm doesn’t make direct landfall in your area, the effects can still disrupt transportation networks across multiple states.
Staying Safe and Informed During Hurricanes in the U.S.
Being prepared for hurricane season goes beyond just understanding weather alerts. It requires having a solid emergency plan, knowing your rights, and staying connected to reliable information sources.
We’ve already covered essential preparedness steps in our comprehensive guide on how to prepare for natural disasters. These fundamentals become even more critical during hurricane season in the U.S., when storms can develop and intensify quickly.
Following Evacuation Orders
When authorities issue evacuation orders, keep in mind that they’re life-saving directives based on scientific analysis of storm surge, wind patterns, and flooding risks.
There are two main types of evacuation orders you need to understand:
- Mandatory evacuations require residents to leave immediately for their safety and the safety of first responders. Ignoring mandatory evacuation orders can have legal consequences and put lives at risk, as emergency services may not be able to reach you during the storm.
- Voluntary evacuations are strong recommendations to leave, though not legally required. However, choosing to stay means accepting that help may not be available during the storm.
For immigrants, it’s important to know that evacuation orders apply to everyone in the affected area, regardless of immigration status. Your safety is the priority, and emergency services are focused on protecting lives, not checking documentation.
Bilingual Resources and Immigrant Support
Florida and other hurricane-prone states provide evacuation information in multiple languages. Florida’s Division of Emergency Management offers resources and evacuation order updates that can help you stay informed in real-time.
Many communities also provide bilingual emergency services and have partnerships with immigrant advocacy organizations to ensure language barriers don’t prevent anyone from getting life-saving information. Contact your local emergency management agency before hurricane season starts to learn about resources available in your preferred language.
Your Hurricane Action Plan
To be prepared for a hurricane means:
- Knowing your evacuation zone: Many coastal areas have designated evacuation zones. Find out which zone you live in and your designated evacuation route.
- Identifying multiple evacuation destinations: Have backup plans for where you’ll go, whether staying with friends or family inland, or using designated public shelters.
- Preparing a communication plan: Designate an out-of-state contact who can coordinate information between family members if local communications are disrupted.
- Keeping cash on hand: ATMs and credit card systems often go down during storms, so having cash available is essential.
Remember: staying safe during hurricane season isn’t just about riding out the storm—it’s about being prepared, staying informed, and making smart decisions that protect you and your family when severe weather threatens.
Stay Connected and Informed
During hurricane season, information saves lives.
Download weather apps, sign up for emergency alerts, and follow local emergency management agencies on social media. Many agencies now offer emergency notifications in Spanish and other languages.
Be Prepared for Hurricanes and Everything Else
Understanding hurricane season helps you protect what matters most: your family’s safety and your connections to loved ones around the world.
From knowing the difference between watches and warnings to planning around potential travel disruptions, being informed gives you the confidence to navigate hurricane season in the U.S. successfully.
The key takeaways for immigrant families are simple: stay informed through reliable sources, have flexible travel plans during hurricane season, and never ignore evacuation orders when they’re issued.
Whether you’re expecting family visits from abroad or supporting relatives back home, preparation and communication are your best tools.
Natural disasters can strike anywhere, and having reliable ways to support your family during emergencies makes all the difference.
When storms affect your home country, uLink provides promotional $0 fee offers as a part of our “uLink Cares program” so you are able to help your loved ones when they need it the most.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and stay connected to what matters most.
