An urban legend says to open windows on one side of your home during a hurricane, so that pressure does not build up and make your house explode or implode. WRONG!!

A house is NOT airtight, even with all its windows and doors closed. There are always ways for air to get in and out, and for pressure to equalize. Long before your house could possibly build up a pressure differential, the flying trees, cars, debris and rocks that the hurricane flings around will smash through any windows you have that are exposed or unshuttered, and cause serious damage, injury or death to those within.

Not only that, but the wind getting into your home could cause all the possessions you have to become flying debris - and then to go on and cause harm to others.

The most important thing to do in any hurricane is to strongly board up any doors or windows. You want to make sure that nothing outside gets in, nothing inside gets out, and that your structure has the best possible chance of surviving the storm.

How to Prepare for a Hurricane
Naming a Hurricane
Learn More about Hurricanes
Categories of Hurricanes