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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?
If conditions are right, thunderstorms will begin to develop around a low pressure area. Since hurricanes need a constant source of energy and moisture, they only occur over very warm oceans. As long as the storm has the necessary "ingredients" to feed on, it will not dissipate, and may become even stronger. However, if the hurricane loses some of the "ingredients"(ex. moving over land, getting ripped apart by shear) 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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