1. Natural Disasters : Hurricanes By: Sydney Pavelko and Serena Laubach

2. How hurricanes form First, warm air rising above an ocean forms clouds. As more air rises, more clouds are made. Earths rotation causes the clouds to spin, creating the swirling to effect a hurricane. First, warm air rising above an ocean forms clouds. As more air rises, more clouds are made. Earths rotation causes the clouds to spin, creating the swirling to effect a hurricane..

3. Hurricane Categories 1. 974-5 mph No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage. 2. 96-110 mph Some roofing material, door, and window damage. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, etc. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings 3. 111-130 mph Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings, with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland.

4. Hurricane Categories Continued 4. 131-155 mph More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland. 4. 131-155 mph More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland. 5. 155 mph+ Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required. 5. 155 mph+ Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required. ~~Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale, ~~Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale, http://gohsep.la.gov/hurricanerelated/hurricanecategories.htm http://gohsep.la.gov/hurricanerelated/hurricanecategories.htm

5. Most Deadliest Hurricane A 1900 hurricane slammed into Galveston, Texas killing 8,000 people. A category 4 hurricane, it struck the island with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour. With no radar, made for the storm. The tracking, or predictions, there were no preparations highest elevation in Galveston in 1900 was 8.7 feet; the 15.7 foot storm surge covered the homes and businesses like an ocean. It cost $20 million at the time; in today’s money, the damage would have cost $700 million. After the hurricane, Galveston raised a sea wall and increased the grade of the island to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy. A 1900 hurricane slammed into Galveston, Texas killing 8,000 people. A category 4 hurricane, it struck the island with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour. With no radar, made for the storm. The tracking, or predictions, there were no preparations highest elevation in Galveston in 1900 was 8.7 feet; the 15.7 foot storm surge covered the homes and businesses like an ocean. It cost $20 million at the time; in today’s money, the damage would have cost $700 million. After the hurricane, Galveston raised a sea wall and increased the grade of the island to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.1900 hurricane1900 hurricane –Hurricane Facts by Renee Chapple, About.com

6. How often do hurricanes hit the U.S? On average, two major hurricane (category 3-5) strike every three years; in all categories, about five hurricanes make landfall every three years. On average, a hurricane category 4 or higher only strikes once every six years. ~~~ Renee Chapple, About.com On average, two major hurricane (category 3-5) strike every three years; in all categories, about five hurricanes make landfall every three years. On average, a hurricane category 4 or higher only strikes once every six years. ~~~ Renee Chapple, About.com Renee Chapple Renee Chapple

7. How many hurricanes hit the U.S in the 20 th century? 158 hurricanes hit the US from all categories; 64 of these were major hurricanes, categories 3-5. Florida had the most landfalls at 57, with the majority of these being in the northwest and southeast. Texas came in second with 36, and Louisiana and North Carolina tie for third at 25 a piece. ~ Renee Chapple, About.com 158 hurricanes hit the US from all categories; 64 of these were major hurricanes, categories 3-5. Florida had the most landfalls at 57, with the majority of these being in the northwest and southeast. Texas came in second with 36, and Louisiana and North Carolina tie for third at 25 a piece. ~ Renee Chapple, About.com Renee Chapple Renee Chapple

8. What is the busiest month for hurricanes? By far, September is the busiest. 36 of the 64 major hurricanes hit in September. The next busiest month is August, with only 15. ~~ Renee Chapple, About.com By far, September is the busiest. 36 of the 64 major hurricanes hit in September. The next busiest month is August, with only 15. ~~ Renee Chapple, About.com Renee Chapple Renee Chapple

9. Can hurricanes be prevented? People have tried to prevent hurricanes in the past. In 1947, scientist tried to weaken a hurricane over water near the United States. They flew planes into the storm and dropped dry ice into the clouds to cool the storm before it reached shore but it did not work. Today scientist are researching ways to prevent or weaken hurricanes. However, we may never be able to prevent the storms completely. People have tried to prevent hurricanes in the past. In 1947, scientist tried to weaken a hurricane over water near the United States. They flew planes into the storm and dropped dry ice into the clouds to cool the storm before it reached shore but it did not work. Today scientist are researching ways to prevent or weaken hurricanes. However, we may never be able to prevent the storms completely.

10. How much destruction can a hurricane cause? Hurricanes can cause billions of dollars worth of property damage ever year to man-made fixtures as well as to natural surroundings such as trees and shrubbery. These storms can also change an area's landscape; resulting in hills, roads and trails to wash away. Hurricanes can cause billions of dollars worth of property damage ever year to man-made fixtures as well as to natural surroundings such as trees and shrubbery. These storms can also change an area's landscape; resulting in hills, roads and trails to wash away.

11. Where we got our info http://miami.about.com/od/weather/a/hur_f acts.htm http://miami.about.com/od/weather/a/hur_f acts.htm “Hurricanes” by Jil Fine “Hurricanes” by Jil Fine