Hurricanes are severe tropical storms, massive storm systems, that form over the open water in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and in the eastern Pacific Ocean.  Each year, many coastal communities experience threats from hurricanes including heavy rains,  strong winds, rip currents, floods and coastal storm surges from tropical storms and hurricanes.  A hurricane may spawn tornadoes. Torrential rains cause further damage by causing floods and  landslides, which not only threaten coastal communities but may impact communities many miles  inland. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak  occurring between mid-August and late October.