CNN.com Specials

SEARCH CNN.COM

Sign up to receive updates on the latest U.S. tropical storms and hurricanes.

Check current weather forecast:
Enter U.S. zip code:

A hurricane is a violent tropical cyclone with constant wind speeds of 74 mph (118 kph) or more, as rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The strongest such storm, a category 5, has wind speeds of 155 mph (249 kph) and higher. The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1. CNN.com takes an in-depth look at the 2002 forecasts.
Full Story

Facts & Safety Tips
Where do hurricanes hit? What areas do they hit the most/worst? What is the Saffir-Simpson scale? Click below to find out.

Glossary

Safety Tips | Printable version

Most hit areas in the U.S.

Watch CNN Presents: Hurricane! When The Big One Hits, with Aaron Brown. Saturday, June 8, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 9, at 7 and 11 p.m. All times EDT.

Top 10 Worst Hurricanes		How Hurricanes Form
	Deadliest Costliest Most Intense		Fly into a hurricane aboard an animated interactive.

Atlantic Names			Pacific Names
Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gustav Hanna Isidore Josephine Kyle	Lili Marco Nana Omar Paloma Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred		Alma Boris Cristina Douglas Elida Fausto Genevieve Hernon Iselle Julio Kenna Lowell	Marie Norbert Odile Polo Rachel Simon Trudy Vance Winnie Xavier Yolanda Zeke

There are six lists of names, which are used in rotation. Learn more.

Red Cross
Advice on what to do if a hurricane approaches.

National Hurricane Center
The NHC watches the waters around the United States.

FEMA Storm Track
Hurricane information from FEMA.

Hurricane Brochures
Brochures from NOAA, the NWS, the American Red Cross and FEMA.

100 years later: Galveston, Texas
A city remembers the hurricane that killed some 8,000 people.