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HURRICANES

HURRICANES. What are they?. Hurricanes are large, rotating storm winds of tropical origin with wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour. What creates hurricanes?. Hurricanes are formed from simple complexes of thunderstorms. The source of energy for hurricanes is heat and moisture.

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HURRICANES

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  1. HURRICANES

  2. What are they? • Hurricanes are large, rotating storm winds of tropical origin with wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour.

  3. What creates hurricanes? • Hurricanes are formed from simple complexes of thunderstorms. • The source of energy for hurricanes is heat and moisture. • Ocean water must be at least 81 degrees to create a hurricane.

  4. Where do hurricanes occur? • Since hurricanes need warm water to occur, they take place in areas with warm climates.

  5. Levels of Hurricanes • Category 1: Minimal damageWinds of 74-95 mph and storm surges of 4-5 ft. No significant wind damage to well constructed buildings. Some damage is done to poorly constructed signs. Wind damage primarily occurs to mobile homes, shrubbery, trees, and foliage. Low lying roads are inundated by storm surge. Minor pier damage occurs. • Example: Danny, 1997

  6. Levels of Hurricanes • Category 2: Moderate damageWinds of 96-110 mph and storm surges of 6-8 ft. Some roofing material, doors, windows of homes and businesses are damaged by winds. Considerable wind damage done to mobile homes and vegetation. Low lying roads are inundated by storm surge. Considerable damage done by storm surge and wave action to piers. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break their moorings. • Example: Flossy, 1956

  7. Levels of Hurricanes • Category 3: Extensive damageWinds of 111-130 mph and storm surges of 9-12 ft. Winds cause structural damage to homes and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failure. Mobile homes are destroyed. Storm surge flooding destroys many smaller buildings while large buildings are damaged by floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 10 feet above mean sea level is flooded. Example: Frances, 2004

  8. Levels of Hurricanes • Category 4: Extreme damageWinds of 131-155 mph and storm surges of 13-18 ft. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof failure on homes. Major damage to lower floors of homes and businesses from storm surge flooding. Terrain continuously lower than 15 feet above mean sea level is flooded.Example: Audrey, 1957

  9. Levels of Hurricanes • Category 5: Catastrophic damageWinds greater than 155 mph and storm surges greater than 18 ft. Compete roof failure of many homes and businesses. Complete structural failure of many small buildings. Major storm surge flooding to areas lower than 20 feet above mean sea level.Example: Camille, 1969

  10. Effects of Hurricanes • Strong Winds • Storm Surge • Flooding

  11. Strong Winds • Strong winds are the most common means of destruction associated with hurricanes. Their sometimes continuous barrage can uproot trees, knock over buildings and homes, fling potentially deadly debris around, sink or ground boats, and flip cars.

  12. Storm Surge • Storm surge is the rising of the sea level due to the low pressure, high winds, and high waves during hurricanes. • The storm surge can cause significant flooding and cost people their lives if they're caught unexpected.

  13. Flooding • Heavy rainfall causes both flash and long term flooding. • After a hurricane has come inland, it does begin to deteriorate. However, it still produces a lot of rainfall.

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