HurricanesTan

=  Hurricanes ﻿ =

[[image:http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/002/cache/hurricane-ivan_200_600x450.jpg width="396" height="297" align="left" caption="Photo: Hurricane Ivan (2)"]]
Introduction Hurrican es are giant, spiraling tropical storms that can pack wind speeds of over 160 miles an hour(2). These storms begin as tropical disturbances in warm ocean waters and are fed by energy from the warm seas(2). Hurricanes are low pressure systems and can cause serious damage if the storm is under the right conditions. They bring high wind speeds and torrential rains, thus creating major destruction anywhere in its path. Go here to read more about Hurricanes. 

Dangers Hurricanes are known for their destruction. They are spontaneous and become strong very quickly, making it hard to escape it's path. These storms bring destruction ashore in many different ways. When a hurricane makes landfall it often produces a devastating storm surge that can reach 20 feet high and extend nearly 100 miles(2). A hurricane’s high winds are also destructive and may spawn tornadoes, anotherserious natural disaster that may cause much damage. The high wind speeds can cause serious damage to homes and buildings, making the destruction of a hurricane much worse. Torrential rains cause further damage by spawning floods and landslides, which may occur many miles inland(2). There are many dangers resulting from a hurricane causing it to be one of the deadliest natural disasters that occurs here on earth. Click here to read more about dangers of hurricanes and much more. 

Conditions of Formation Hurricanes develop when the sun's rays heat up tropical waters. This causes the air to grow warmer and rise (This normally occurs near the equator because it is hotter there). Water rises with the air as water vapor and heat released from the water vapor causes the air to rise faster(9). Over time the heated air will begin to circle counterclockwise, forming stronger and stronger winds that whirl with increasing speed. These winds become a hurricane when it reaches a speed of more than 74 miles per hour(9). The moist, hot winds of a hurricane swirl upward around a calm column of low-pressure air known as the eye (which is shown in the picture below) and is caused because of the air wanting to go directly from the high pressure to the low. As the hurricane moves the water under the eye forms a large mound (A.K.A a storm surge) and large waves will be created from the high speed of the winds(9).



Historical Examples Within history there have been many tragic hurricanes that have killed many people and left others seriously injured. One of the most destructive hurricanes was hurricane Mitch. In 1998 Hurricane Mitch (with high wind speeds, high storm surge, heavy rains, and floods) caused 9,000 to die and another 9,000 missing in Central America(1). Mitch caused tremendous property, infrastructure, and crop damage in Central America, and an additional $40 million in damage in Florida(1). Another historic example of a deadly hurricane is Hurricane Katrina, one of the most well known hurricanes of our time. Katrina emerged over water in the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Keys, and strengthened to the 2005 season's third major hurricane before reorganizing into the most powerful storm in the Central Gulf since Hurricane Camille. It was the fourthCategory Five Hurricane in three years with winds as high as 175 mph,and a minimum central pressure of 90 millibars. It became the fourth most powerful hurricane of all time ahead of Camille and behind Hurricane Gilbert (3). It created a 27 foot storm surge in Gulfport, Mississippi and a 22 foot storm surge in Bay St. Louis. Winds as high as 90 mph were felt as far east as Mobile, Alabama, which experienced its worst flooding in 90 years(3). So far, the latest death toll is at 1,833 (Louisiana-1582, Mississippi-170, Florida-30, Alabama-48, Georgia-2, Tennessee-1) with damage estimates now are up to $81 billion. Experts fear that the total cost for the storm could be $200 billion dollars, which would make Katrina the costliest hurricane and natural disaster in United States History(3). Safety If your home is on or near the coastline where the hurricane's destructive forces will affect it, pay close attention to what the local government and/or police force is recommending. You should also pay attention to radio and TV stations for the latest information.

If evacuating your home is recommended: > YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW DEEP THE WATER REALLY IS! (5) If you are in the path of a land-falling hurricane, you should prepare a supply kit containing:
 * Heed their warning!
 * Plan ahead where you would go -- it may be beneficial to choose a few places like an out of town friend's home or a designated shelter, etc.
 * Take the phone numbers of these places with you.
 * Take a road map in case the weather forces you onto unfamiliar roads.
 * Do not drive over standing water, as floods may have damaged the roads.
 * A first aid kit and necessary medications.
 * Canned food and an opener, as this food lasts for long periods of time without needing refrigeration.
 * Plenty of water.
 * Flashlights, a battery powered radio, and extra batteries.
 * Raingear, sleeping bags, and protective clothing. (5)

Sources **1.** National Hurricane Center. "Hurricane History." National Hurricane Center. NOAA, 17 Nov. 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. . 
 * 2.** National Geographic. "Hurricanes, engines of destruction." National Geographic. Web. 29 Nov. 2010.
 * 3.** "<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Historic Hurricanes", Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.hurricaneville.com/historic.html>
 * 4.** "<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;">Cane Fever, The place to go when the Tropics heat up", Aug. 2010. Web. 30 Nov. 2010<http://www.canefever.com/discussion.php>
 * 5. **<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at the University of Illinois, "Hurricanes, online meteorology guide", Illinois U., Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hurr/home.rxml>
 * 6**. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Istockphoto, "Hurricane Katrina, complete destruction", Istockphoto, Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-5305138-hurricane-katrina-complete-destruction.php>
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. **<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;"> Wizkids, "Hurricanes", Wizkids, Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-hurricane.htm>
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. **<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Carolina Environmental Diversity Explorations, "How do Hurricanes Form?", Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/cede_hurricanes/148>
 * 9.** <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;">Northeast State Emergency Consortium . NESEC, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.nesec.org/hazards/hurricanes.cfn>.