Understanding Hurricane Conditions

Since 1944, September has been a peak month of hurricane season and is an essential time to be ready.

There are many factors to consider when ensuring thorough hurricane preparation, such as preparing a kit, evacuation route, etc., but an important step is knowing what each Hurricane Condition means.

HURCON 5
Destructive winds are possible within 96 hours. The crisis action team will implement a tropical storm advisory and direct commanders and/or first sergeants to review TSA checklists and take appropriate actions.

HURCON 4
Destructive winds are possible within 72 hours. Airmen and families are advised to monitor local weather channels and follow instructions from unit commanders. Off-base and base housing residents should:

• Brief family members on their responsibilities and review actions to take if sheltering is necessary.
• Check that their food supply can be eaten without cooking.
• Verify hurricane kits are stocked.
• Tie down mobile homes and disconnect propane tanks.
• Bring in outdoor objects and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Fill their car gas tanks.
• Review evacuation plans.
• Secure boats and/or RVs or move to a designated safe place. Use ropes or tie down straps to secure boats to trailers. Use tie-downs to anchor boat trailers and/or RVs to the ground or structures.
• Make a record of your personal property. Take photos or video of the exterior and interior of your home, including personal belongings. Store the documents in a safe place. If directed to evacuate, take the documents with you.

HURCON 3
Destructive winds are possible within 48 hours. Dorm residents are recommended to:

• Store personal items in lockers and drawers.
• Move furniture to walls opposite windows and stack furniture and rugs.
• Unplug electrical equipment, turn off lights and close all doors.
• Secure equipment, motorcycles, trash cans, signs, etc.
• Stand by for briefings by unit commanders.
• Plan to brace doors securely and stay away from windows.
• Have flashlights within easy reach.
• Keep in contact with their duty section or squadron.
• Minimize phone calls to the base.
• Pay attention to notifications and advisories issued by base officials, and to radio, television, base social media and the base website for information and evacuation or sheltering instructions.

HURCON 2
Destructive winds are anticipated within 24 hours. Make final preparations:

• Fill jugs, bottles, etc., with drinking water if sheltering. Put important personal papers or valuables in water-proof strong boxes.

HURCON 1
Destructive winds are anticipated within 12 hours. Mission-essential personnel and students (if not evacuated) will report to their designated shelters.

HURCON 1C - Caution
Winds of 40-57 mph/35-49 kts sustained are occurring. If sheltering:

• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway in your residence. If in a multiple story building, go to the first or second floors and stay in interior rooms away from windows.
• Stay inside and away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed.
• Do not go outside when the eye passes over. Winds and rain will soon resume.

HURCON 1E - Emergency
Winds of 58 mph/50 kts sustained and/or gusts of 69 mph/60 kts or greater are occurring.

HURCON 1R - Recovery
Destructive winds have subsided and are no longer forecasted to occur; survey and work crews are permitted to determine the extent of the damage and to establish safe zones around hazards (e.g. downed power lines, unstable structures). Non-essential personnel are asked to remain indoors.

• If you are in a safe location, stay there until directed by local authorities that it is safe to leave.
• If you are evacuated, do not return until authorities say it is safe.
• Tune into local radio and television stations for information about caring for your household, where to find medical help and how to apply for assistance.
• Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until notified that it is safe.
• Talk to your children about what happened and what they can do to help.
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the power company.
• Enter your home with caution. Beware of insects and animals driven to higher ground by the floodwaters.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
• Report property damage to your insurance agent immediately.

Commanders may direct an installation to stay in HURCON/Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness 5 for an entire Tropical Cyclone or Hurricane season if desired.