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There are several types of weather events that can impact Publix customers, including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and winter storms. While some of these tend to occur within a specific season, others can happen with very little warning. Our goal is to help you be as prepared as possible.

Two of the most dangerous weather patterns are hurricanes and tornadoes.

Hurricanes are organized systems of strong thunderstorms that can cover several hundred miles and generate torrential rain and tornadoes. They are characterized by strong, circulating winds of 74 mph or more and gusts up to 200 mph. Hurricanes are classified into five categories on a chart called the Saffir-Simpson Scale (see below) based on sustained winds and storm surges. Hurricanes have an area called the eye, which is a calm spot in the middle of the storm. It's important to remember that when the eye passes over your area, only half the storm has passed. The wind will return suddenly from the opposite direction, perhaps with even greater force.

Tornadoes are a violently rotating column of air touching the ground. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. Tornado winds may reach 300 miles per hour. For classification by wind speed, refer to the Enhanced Fujita scale below.

For information regarding evacuation zones and emergency shelters, tune in to your local television and radio stations, or call your local Red Cross or your county's Emergency Management Office.

Glossary of terms.

  • Blizzard Warning: Issued when visibility at or below 1/4 mile has persisted for at least three hours due to winds of at least 35 mph and falling or blowing snow.
  • Flash Flood: A flood caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours.
  • Flood: An overflow of water onto land where the tide does not typically reach.
  • Hurricane Warning: Issued when hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours.
  • Hurricane Watch: Issued when hurricane conditions are a possibility, usually within 36 hours.
  • Storm Surge: A dome of water caused by a hurricane that can reach more than 20 feet above sea level.
  • Supercell: A dangerous type of thunderstorm that has a rotating updraft. These types of thunderstorms can last for hours and produce large hail, flooding, lightning, strong winds, and tornadoes.
  • Tornado Warning: Issued when a tornado funnel has been sighted or detected by weather radar.
  • Tornado Watch: Issued when weather conditions in a specific area are favorable for the development of a tornado.
  • Waterspout: A tornado that occurs over a body of water.
  • Wildfire Rate of Spread: The speed at which a fire is moving from its origin point, usually affected by wind, moisture, and slope.
  • Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life within minutes of exposure.
  • Winter Storm Warning: Issued when heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring, usually 12–24 hours before the event is expected to begin.
  • Winter Storm Watch: Typically issued about 12–48 hours before a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is expected.

Enhanced Fujita Scale

EF Rating 3-Second Wind Gust (mph)
0 65–85
1 86–110
2 111–135
3 136–165
4 166–200
5 Over 200

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Category Sustained Winds (mph) Damage Storm Surge
1 74–95 mph Minimal: Unanchored mobile homes, signs, and vegetation destroyed. 4–5 ft.
2 96–110 mph Moderate: All mobile homes, roofs, and small crafts destroyed; flooding. 6–8 ft.
3 111–129 mph Extensive: Small buildings destroyed; low-lying roads cut off. 9–12 ft.
4 130–156 mph Extreme: Roofs and mobile homes destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, and beach homes flooded. 13–18 ft.
5 Greater than 156 mph Catastrophic: Vegetation and most buildings destroyed, major roads cut off, homes flooded. Greater than 18 ft.

2025 hurricane names.

Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, Wendy