where i grew up in the Bahamas hurricanes are part of life, as John says everyone knows if there is one travelling and you move your boat to a hurricane hole a day or so before it strikes. If its a biggie you fly your plane out to a safe port of call. I have crossed Miami - Nassau in a grade 4 hurricane (INEZ) as an engineer , we lost the whole deck cargo (5 cars , 2 boats and a whole load of outboard engines) i was in the engine room hoping we didnt turn into a submarine. quite an experience!
this site gives all the info you ever need:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?epac