1. Disaster! By Michael J. Hoover

2. How is a hurricane formed? Hurricanes are a huge storm! It can reach speeds of up to 200 MPH. Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters. Evaporation from the seawater increases their power. The center of the storm or “eye” is the calmest part of a hurricane.

3. How fast are hurricane winds? There are several categories of hurricanes and winds speeds. – Category 1 - 75-95 MPH – Category 2 - 96-100 MPH – Category 3 - 111-130 MPH – Category 4 - 131-155 MPH – Category 5 - 156+ MPH These are all sustained winds, not gusts.

4. How many people per year are killed by hurricanes? On average, 110 to 140 people are killed a year by hurricanes. At least 1,836 people lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina (which took place on August 28 th, 2005 in New Orleans)

5. How long does a hurricane last? A hurricane can last on land up to 10 days. Since the hurricane builds strength and speed over water, the time it lasts once it hits land can vary.

6. What is the worst part of the hurricane? The eye wall is the area inside the hurricane where the winds and rain are the worst. Winds can be up to 186 MPH in that area!

7. When was the first recorded hurricane? Records in the early settlements in Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s talk of great hurricanes. The United States has kept track of hurricane paths since 1871. The first recorded hurricane in 1871 formed near the Florida Keys and moved west into Texas.

8. Sources www.telluarian.com www.wiki.answers.com http://www2.scholastic.com Weather Wiz Kids

9. The End