The Eye of the Storm
With every hurricane, the size of the eye varies. The calm eye, located in the center of the storm, typically measures about 11 to 35 miles across. However, it can stretch as wide as 120 miles.

Sinking air – or low pressure – suppresses cloud formation in the eye. That's why the eye is clear. It is said that the skies can be blue and the sun can shine through.

The strongest winds and rainfall rotate in the eye wall, the clouds closest to the eye. Thick cloud walls can be seven to nine miles high. The eye wall absorbs huge amounts of moisture from the ocean, creating heavy rainfall. Winds here move counterclockwise with great speed. When combined with low pressure, the winds can raise the ocean surface 23 to 40 feet.

The peak hurricane threat in the United States is from mid-August to late October.

Threats to Home: Windows
During a hurricane, flying debris can shatter conventional windows into pieces.

Many Floridians are protecting their homes with hurricane-resistant windows made of laminated glass. These have a tough layer of plastic sandwiched between two panes of glass. Upon impact, the glass cracks, but particles stick to the plastic layer, and the window stays in place.

Laminated glass windows are also earthquake-resistant, and they block ultraviolet rays and reduce noise.

Threats to Home: Roofs
The type of roof you have can determine how much damage your house will suffer during a hurricane.

On gable or flat roofs, the wind goes up as it hits the wall, creating higher pressure under the roof. This force can rip the roof off.

Wind flows more easily over a hip roof, creating less lift.

Whether you have a hip roof or not, your roof needs to be attached firmly to walls and strong enough to stand up to the wind.