and intense winds which blow in a large circular motion around a centre "eye''.

If the storm passes directly overhead, there will be a lull in the wind lasting from a few minutes up to an hour.

Once the "eye'' has passed, the winds will suddenly return at full force and blow from the opposite direction.

To be classed as a hurricane, sustained winds must reach at least 74 miles per hour (64 knots) but hurricane winds can be much stronger.

There are five categories of hurricanes: Category one has wind speeds of 74-95 mph and produces minimal damage.

Category two has wind speeds of 96-110 mph and produces moderate damage.

Category three has wind speeds of 111-130 mph and produces major damage.

Category four has wind speeds of 131-155 mph and produces destructive damage.

Category five the winds exceed 155 mph and produces devastating damage.

When do they occur? Hurricane Season in the Atlantic runs for 6 months, from June 1 to November 30. Most hurricanes occur in August, September and October.

What is storm surge? Powerful hurricanes can create a huge dome of water called a "storm surge''.

This storm surge acts much like a high tide, raising the level of the sea for several hours ahead of the hurricane.

Bermuda is usually quite well protected from high waves by our reefs, but high waves on top of a storm surge could cause problems in low lying areas close to the sea.

What is a "strong room''? This is a room in your home where your family has maximum protection if ever a hurricane strikes.

Ideally, your strong room should be fairly small, with thick walls, a concrete ceiling, and small well protected windows.

If you don't have a suitable room with a concrete ceiling, you can improvise by creating a safe area under a staircase, or by using a solid table or bed for added protection.

It is important to be well away from any windows.

You should also consider the possibility of falling chimneys or trees when deciding on the best location to be in.

Remember that being inside your house is considered one of the safest places to be in a hurricane, unless it is threatened by storm surge.