Understanding the various wind speeds and types of devastation a hurricane can do can help you determine whether or not to evacuate. Therefore, please see below as furnished by https://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Category	Sustained Winds	Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds
1	74-95 mph 64-82 kt 119-153 km/h	Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
2	96-110 mph 83-95 kt 154-177 km/h	Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
3 (major)	111-129 mph 96-112 kt 178-208 km/h	Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
4 (major)	130-156 mph 113-136 kt 209-251 km/h	Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
5 (major)	157 mph or higher 137 kt or higher 252 km/h or higher	Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

 

According to https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2019-05-02-hurricane-season-outlook-the-weather-company-an-ibm-business there will be approximately 12 to 14 named storms of which six (6) are forecast to become hurricanes. Fifty percent of those six (three) are predicted to be above category three in strength.

The 2018 hurricane season had a total of fifteen named storms. Eight of those fifteen became hurricanes and only two that made landfall were category three or more.

June marks the official start of hurricane season and runs through the end of November, but it is a good idea to prepare for hurricane season well in advance of the season actually beginning. You do not have to buy flats of water, batteries, or other necessary or perishable items until one is actually forecast to hit landfall nearby, but oftentimes that is too late. I prefer to err on the side of caution and have some water, foodstuffs, batteries, and flashlights, bug spray and other things on hand regardless.

Hurricanes are powerful and dangerous storms usually accompanied with lots of wind and heavy rain. Excessive rainfall can cause flooding. Winds can produce catastrophic devastation in higher category hurricanes. In the Southern hemisphere these hurricanes spin clockwise and winds nearest the eye are the strongest. Over the past two hundred years more than two million have died in hurricanes. Take no chances. Be be safe.

Good luck this hurricane season!