The Atlantic Hurricane Season started June 1 and extends through November. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted above-average hurricane activity this year due to the La Nina weather pattern. NOAA predicted there would likely be 14 to 21 named storms, with 6 to 10 of those storms becoming named hurricanes with wind speeds of over 74 mph. That adds up to a lot of potential high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge possible for The Sunshine State.

Hurricanes are destructive forces, and utilities and infrastructure bear the brunt of that destruction. Torrential rain, high winds and blowing debris, and flooding all take a toll on a community’s infrastructure, and pavement is no exception. In Tucker Paving’s over 25 years serving the paving construction needs of Central Florida, we can tell you that pavements can take a beating from a hurricane. Find out what to expect for your pavement if a hurricane hits your area.

Effects of a Hurricane on Pavement

In terms of damaging forces for pavement, hurricanes and tropical storms bring flooding caused by storm surge and heavy rainfall and high winds that turns debris into shrapnel. Both of these forces can cause problems for pavement. Issues include:   

  1. Pavement erosion. Pavements can withstand normal amounts of rainfall, but neither asphalt or concrete pavements are able to withstand the erosive forces of heavy downpours, high winds and debris, and flooding. Your pavement could have potholes, cracking, and other surface damage from a hurricane. 
  2. Destabilized subgrade. This is when the foundation of a pavement structure is compromised, and it’s usually caused by prolonged flooding or flash flooding. This type of damage can range from whole sections of pavement swept away by a flash flood to damage to a subgrade that will cause the entire pavement structure to fail in the future.
  3. Other problems. Problems can also be caused by secondary issues. For instance, storm drains can clog with debris, causing flooding and standing water. Or, once flood waters have receded, your pavement could be covered with a thick layer of slippery mud and dirt.

Tucker Paving has been in the asphalt and concrete paving industry for over 25 years in The Sunshine State, and serving Central Florida for over 50 years, so we’ve seen our share of major hurricanes! Contact us online, or call us at (863) 299-2262, for assistance with your next asphalt or concrete paving project!