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Hurricanes
What is a Hurricane?
A Hurricane (also know as a "typhoon" or "cyclone") is a large mass of thunderstorms circling around a low pressure center. Hurricanes usually produce flooding rain and damaging winds, making them a big threat to people and property. Because a hurricane needs massive moisture and heat to form, they only occur over warm oceans.
Hurricane Ike over the Atlantic
How are hurricanes classified?
In the United States, hurricanes are classified using the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Classifications vary for different areas. Below is a chart showing the Saffir-Simpson scale.
How do Hurricanes Form?
To form, hurricanes need four things:
- Low Pressure
- Warm water
- Warm air
- Winds
If conditions are right, thunderstorms will begin to develop around a low pressure area. As long as the storm has all of these things to feed on, it will not dissipate and even get stronger. However, if the hurricane loses any of these things (ex. moving over land) then the storm will weaken at a rapid rate until it dissipates.
Hurricane Katrina moving onto land. You can see the storm weakening at impact.
How Can I keep Safe?
If a hurricane is headed in your direction, follow these rules of thumb.
- Gather a Hurricane Preparness Kit
- Get an evacuation plan ready
- Pay close attention to news sources
- When asked to leave, leave!
- Make sure your property is insured
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