HHHH uuuu rrrr rrrr iiii cccc aaaa nnnn eeee ssss: T h e M i g h t i e s t o f S t o r m s By Stacy Bodin

hurricane Hurricanes hurricanes hurricanes Have you ever heard of a hurricane? Do you know what it is or how it can affect people? Hurricanes are a part of life along the coastal regions of the United States. Many hurricanes have hit the United States. States that lie along the Gulf of Mexico like Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama and Florida have experienced devastating hurricanes for centuries.

HurricanesHurricanes The eastern coast of the United States also has dealt with Hurricanes and their fury as well. Hurricanes rotate counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Hurricanes are the planet’s most ferocious storms. They are known as cyclones in Australia and typhoons in southeast Asia. They bring massive waves and wind speeds that can gust up to 186 mph. Hurricanes are not the normal storms created when cold and warm fronts collide. Introduction to hurricanes

A hurricane is made up of bands of thunderclouds that spin around a clear, still center called the eye. Winds blowing across the warm seas close to the equator suck up heat and water vapor to form the storms that produce hurricanes. The swirling mass of thunderclouds is set spinning by the rotation of the earth and by winds from the poles A hurricane can last for weeks and travel many thousands of miles. Birth of a Hurricane

hurricanehurricane storm windrain tornadoesstorm surges hurricanes What is a hurricane? A hurricane is a very destructive and dangerous storm. It forms in stages. Strong wind, rain, tornadoes and storm surges often occur in areas the places where hurricanes make landfall.

Landfall The strength of the wind can tear down trees and flatten buildings. Hurricanes can also cause a rise in the ocean level, or storm surge, which can drive the sea far inland Hurricane Andrew landfall in Florida in August More than 100,000 homes were damaged such as this trailer park that was flattened.

storms hurricanes To help distinguish between storms, in the early fifties, hurricanes were named. Until 1978 only the names of women were used. In 1979, that system changed. At that time, both of men and women’s names were used.

hurricanes storms hurricane eye hurricanes hurricane Some are small and others quite large. But whatever the case, hurricanes are the mightiest of all storms. In the center of a hurricane is an eye. Warm water helps hurricanes gain strength. When the hurricane makes landfall, they normally weaken. Video

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale hurricanes wind speed. National Hurricane Center The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a scale which divides hurricanes into five categories depending on how strong they are and by their wind speed. The scale was created in 1969 by Herbert Saffir and Dr. Bob Simpson of the National Hurricane Center. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a scale winds storm tropical depressionwinds tropical storm. hurricanestorm surge Saffir-Simpson Scale When the winds in this type storm range from 35 to 54 miles an hour, it is called a tropical depression. When the winds are from 55 to 74 miles an hour then it is called a tropical storm. When it reaches 74 miles an hour, it is called a hurricane. The storm surge is also measured into the Saffir-Simpson Scale Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale category one hurricane winds storm surge. Category two winds storm surges Category hurricanes winds storm surges Category 4 hurricanes winds storm surges hurricanecategory 5 storm. winds storm surges On the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, a category one hurricane has winds ranging from 75 to 95 miles an hour with a 4 to 5 foot storm surge. Category two have winds from miles an hour with storm surges from 6 to 8 feet. Category 3 hurricanes have winds from miles an hour with storm surges from 9-12 feet. Category 4 hurricanes have strong winds from miles an hour with storm surges from feet. The strongest hurricane is a category 5 storm. It has winds 156 mile an hour winds with storm surges 18 feet and above. Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Category Wind speed (mph) Storm surge (feet) 5156 More than –15513– –1309–12 296–1106–8 174–954–5 Additional classifications Tropical storm 39–730–3 Tropical depression 0–380

One key factor about h hh hurricanes is the importance of h hh hurricane safety. T he people were encouraged to listen to the warnings and prepare for the s ss storms. In 1900, Galveston, Texas was the target of a h hh hurricane a nd s ss storm surge. The town was flattened overnight and 6,000-12,000 people died because they were not prepared for the storm. The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 i s known as the deadliest H HH Hurricane ever to hit the United States.

hurricane Hurricanes evacuation announcements Technology through the years have helped hurricane areas prepare. Hurricanes evacuation announcements can be heard and seen on the television, radio or even on the internet. hurricanes When hurricanes hit, problems range from trees and power lines knocked down, ruined agricultural crops, accidents of all types and even death.

weatherhurricanes Evacuation hurricane So, the most important thing to remember is to be prepared and listen for weather updates as hurricanes move toward your area. Evacuation is the key factor that may save your life during a hurricane headed toward you and your family.

August 29, 2005

Hurricane Katrina hit the U.S. on August 29, Winds of 140 mph created a 30-foot storm surge. Water breached the dam that protected the city of New Orleans and flooded the low-lying coastlines of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. With the damage estimated at more than $200 million, and more than one million people forced to leave their homes, Katrina is the most expensive and most destructive natural disaster in U.S. history.

Damage to Long Beach, MS Hurricane Katrina 2005 Russell Ave. Best Western Hotel Slab McDonald’s sign still stands but restaurant is gone.

Damage to Long Beach, MS Hurricane Katrina 2005 My grandmother’s house was here on this concrete slab. This is the view from her driveway to the beach.