Hurricanes are not points on a map. They are large, evolving systems whose wind, storm surge, waves, rainfall, floods, tornadoes, rip currents, and cascading infrastructure failures can reach far beyond the forecast center. This evidence-first guide explains tropical-cyclone formation, observations, aircraft reconnaissance, satellites, numerical models, track and intensity uncertainty, the 2026 NHC forecast cone, watches and warnings, probabilistic storm-surge products, local NWS information, household and organizational preparedness, accessible evacuation, health continuity, business operations, safe reentry, insurance documentation, fraud prevention, and resilient recovery. Every dynamic product is treated as time-sensitive. hurricanes, tropical cyclones, storm surge, evacuation, NOAA, NHC, flooding, preparedness, disaster recovery
