Roughly 3,000 homes are in danger of flooding and flood damage in the event of a hurricane, according to a study carried out by Works and Engineering.

Over 1,000 of those properties are only at risk during the most severe hurricanes - categories 4 and 5 - but 1,239 homes could be in trouble in category 1 hurricanes and above.

The Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) is now in the process of notifying residents at these properties to alert them to the potential dangers of hurricane related storm surge and how to prepare for hurricane season which begins tomorrow.

Letters are going out to all the properties asking residents to fill in a questionnaire about the number of people in their home and whether anyone would need special assistance in the event of a storm.

"In recent years, there has been increased awareness of the extensive damage that can be caused by unusually high tides and waves, or storm surge as it is called," the letter reads.

"We now know that storm surge can be quite destructive and that in other countries it has led to a significant number of hurricane-related deaths as well as massive coastal erosion and damage in low lying areas."

In addition to the questionnaire, the EMO are sending out hurricane floods preparedness pamphlets. Among the tips included are that residents should make an itemised list of their valuable and belongings, keep a copy of home insurance and essentials in a safe place and identify a friend outside the flood risk area with whom you can bunk in the event of a flood - a "flood buddy".

"We are looking at worst case scenarios for storm surge or hurricane flooding," EMO chairman Terry Lister said in a statement released yesterday. "Based on their proximity to the coastline, we have separated properties into three lists; those properties likely to suffer flooding from categories 4 and 5 hurricanes, those at risk from category 2 up to 5 and those most at risk for hurricane flooding from category 1 right up through category 5."

The parish with the greatest number of houses at risk is Sandys with 1,789 homes in the combined categories.

Mr. Lister pointed out that not all hurricanes - even the strongest - will produce storm surge, which is heavily determined by wind direction and tide conditions.

"We do not want to alarm residents," said Mr. Lister. "We simply want them to be prepared. Only those residents in the risk areas will be receiving letters. Residents who live inland will not receive letters, but should still prepare for hurricanes with the usual precautions."

Hurricane season runs through November 30.