By Stacy Bodin

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By Stacy Bodin
Hurricanes The Mightiest of Storms
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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.
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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.
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• 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.
•  

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• 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
  womens names were used.

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• 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.

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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. 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 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 96-110 miles an hour with storm surges from
6 to 8 feet. Category 3 hurricanes have winds
from 111-130 miles an hour with storm surges from
9-12 feet. Category 4 hurricanes have strong
winds from 131-155 miles an hour with storm
surges from 13-18 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 Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Category Wind speed (mph) Storm surge (feet)
5 156 More than18
4 131155 1318
3 111130 912
2 96110 68
1 7495 45
Additional classifications Additional classifications Additional classifications
Tropical storm 3973 03
Tropical depression 038 0
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One key factor about hurricanes is the importance
of hurricane safety. The people were encouraged
to listen to the warnings and prepare for the
storms. In 1900, Galveston, Texas was the
target of a hurricane and 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 is known
as the deadliest Hurricane ever to hit the United
States.
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• 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.
• When hurricanes hit, problems range from trees
  and power lines knocked down, ruined agricultural
  crops, accidents of all types and even death.

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• 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.

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Photos from the NOAA and CIMSS Sites. Sources
sited include Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Discussion Name ways hurricanes have affected
your area or other areas in the USA.