Hurricane Season -

Since 2010, more than 80% of direct hurricane deaths have come from freshwater flooding (rain) and storm surge (ocean water pushed ashore). Wind blows your roof off; water drowns your neighborhood.

When these four things align, a tropical depression is born. If it keeps eating, it becomes a Tropical Storm (and gets a name). If it really gets organized, it becomes a Hurricane. hurricane season

: Classified as Major Hurricanes , with winds of at least 111 mph (178 km/h). Since 2010, more than 80% of direct hurricane

: Install storm shutters or have plywood ready to protect windows. If it keeps eating, it becomes a Tropical

Verdict: Residents from Texas to Maine should not let their guard down. It only takes one storm hitting your city to make it a "bad season."

Forecasters use the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale to classify storm intensity from Category 1 to Category 5: : Winds 74–95 mph (119–153 km/h).