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2 Hurricanes are one of the most unfortunate natural disasters in the United States. They tear down, not just property, but the lives of many people. History has shown that hurricanes have a devastating effect on the people and the property in the affected area, no matter how prepared the government is. While everybody knows that the state of Florida suffers from about forty percent of the total hurricanes that hit the U.S., Georgia is much less vulnerable, even though it is just above it. Although Georgia is less vulnerable for direct hits, it is extremely susceptible to the related hazards of hurricanes. But for over 100 years, there has been no direct hit from a major hurricane. The state of Georgia did experience major hurricane disasters in the 17th and 18th century though; during European and Spanish colonization. The largest disaster caused by a hurricane in Georgia took place in Brunswick, Georgia. It was recorded in 1898 and claimed about 179 lives, and the cost of devastation was estimated at about $1.5 million during that time. 1

3 Hurricanes and Related Hazards that Devastated Georgia According to the table illustrated by Saffir/Simpson about hurricanes that directly hit the state of Georgia from 1851 to 2012, there are only three major hurricanes that have been recorded, and twenty other hurricanes ranging from category one to five. Compare that to the state of Florida, where they suffered from 37 major hurricanes and 114 from different categories. It is a noticeable difference, even though the two states are neighbors. Although Georgia rarely suffers from hurricanes, it is still vulnerable to related hazards. The historical facts state that the most expensive Georgia disaster was not a major hurricane, but a tropical storm, Alberto in The catastrophe surged down from the West and caused flooding all over the place, costing 30 people their lives, and over $750 million. 2

4 Do Hurricanes Really Hit Georgia Nowadays? Scholars have concluded that for the past century, the U.S. has suffered from major hurricanes, and Georgia is the only Southern state with coastline property that has not been devastated at one time or another in that time. The state has escaped a direct hit of a major hurricane for over a century. The 20th Century is also considered a storm less era, where Hurricane David was the last to damage the area in Although damage was done, it was considered minimal, since, according to the authorities, it was only a Category 2 storm. From all the hurricanes in Georgia, Savannah has suffered the most damage. Other areas, including the islands of Wilmington, Tybee, Skidaway, and St. Simons, were severely flooded during the 1898 disaster. While Savannah and its neighboring areas have suffered from the hurricanes that have hit, statistics shows that the average gap between direct hurricane hits for the greater areas south of Savannah, is about once every eight years. The longest recorded gap between hurricane hits however, is six years, from 1989 to The average speed of a hurricane that hits, based on sustained winds, is about 95 miles per hour. More importantly, the estimated year of the next hurricane hit will be in 2013; but that is just according to the statistics based on history, and there is no assurance that it will actually happen. 3

5 Roof Crafters is the leading roofing company in the South. We specialize in shingle installation and roof repair for both commercial and residential buildings. With us, you will get personalized service, easy payment plan options, and guaranteed satisfaction. Contact us and let us know how we can help you and be sure to join our early responder program which will put you at the top of the list should catastrophe strike again. 4