1. The History, Structure, Development, and Destruction
HURRICANES
The History, Structure, Development, and Destruction
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2. What is a hurricane?
Violent cyclonic storm that develops in the tropical region
Wind speeds are > 74 mph
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Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=680

3. Rotation and Pressure In which direction does a hurricane rotate?
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Is the barometric pressure inside the hurricane high or low?
LOW

4. When is Hurricane Season?
June 1st
through
November
31st

5. What is the role of the National Weather Service during hurricane season?
Provides weather information, such as data from satellites
Responsible for issuing watches and warnings to the media and general public

6. Watch vs. Warning
What is the difference between a Hurricane Watch and a Hurricane Warning?
Watch – Tropical storm poses a threat to coastal areas with 36 hours
Warning - Tropical storm conditions are expected in a coastal area within 24 hours

7. What conditions must be present for a hurricane to develop?
Warm ocean temperatures (>80˚ F) up to 60m deep
Little to no wind shear
Low pressure system at least 5˚ North or South of Equator
Rotation caused by winds
Source:
gov/oa/reports/fran/fran.html

8. What is the major source of energy fueling a hurricane?
Heat Energy evaporating from the ocean surface
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9. Hurricane Anatomy
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10. Another look at the Structure
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11. Comparison of Terms Tropical Disturbance
Group of thunderstorms in the tropics that are present for at least 24 hours
Tropical Wave
lack of circulation, winds <25 mph and every direction
Tropical Depression
closed circulation but disorganized, winds at least 25 mph

12. Comparison of Terms Tropical Storm
Shower and thunderstorm moves over closed circulation, winds greater than 39 mph
Hurricane
Eye is developed, winds > 74 mph

13. Compare the Following
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14. By what two factors is hurricane strength measured?
Wind Speed
Barometric Pressure

15. What is the Scale Used to Categorize Hurricanes?
Saffir-Simpson Scale
Category
Max Wind Speed
(mph)
Min. Surface Pressure (mb)
Storm Surge m (ft) 1
74-96
> 980
1-1.7 (3-5) 2
97-111
(6-8) 3
(9-12) 4
(13-18) 5
> 155
< 920
> 5.7 (>19)
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16. What causes the damage in a hurricane?
Winds
Flooding
Storm Surge

17. What is a storm surge?
Large wall or dome of water that rushes into the coastline as a result of a hurricane making landfall
To the right are the areas affected by high storm surges
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18. What destroys a hurricane?
Strong vertical winds
Cold water
Movement over land
Friction
Lack of moisture

19. What are the five costliest hurricanes in the United States?
Hurricane Andrew – 1992
Hurricane Hugo – 1989
Hurricane Fran – 1996
Hurricane Opal – 1995
Hurricane Frederic

20. Explain why the majority of the costliest storms are relatively recent
Damage is a result of development
There are more developed areas and possessions than in the past
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21. What are the five deadliest hurricanes in the United States?
Galveston – 1900
Southeast Florida – 1928
Florida Keys – 1919
New England – 1938
Florida Keys – 1935

22. Explain why the deadliest storms were longer ago.
Lack of instrumentation to predict and track storms
People were not warned of the incoming danger
Results of the Galveston Hurricane
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23. What are the names of the 2002 Hurricanes?
Arthur
Hanna
Omar
Bertha
Isidore
Paloma
Cristobal
Josephine
Rene
Dolly
Kyle
Sally
Edouard
Lili
Teddy
Fay
Marco
Vicky
Gustav
Nana
Wilfred
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24. How has a hurricane affected you personally?
Damage to your house from wind?
Damage from flooding?
Destroyed vacation house?
Damage to family members’ homes?

25. Flooding of Tar River as result of Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd
Dockside
Tar River
Estates
Mrs. Parker’s
Old House
Final Water Level

26. Damage to Greenville US 264 Bridge Extensive Flooding
Extended Power outages
Flood Related Deaths
Property Damage
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27. Source: http://www.guc.com/about/floyd.htm
Damage to Greenville
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28. Protection Listen to warnings Take all warnings seriously
Follow evacuations
Prepare Food and Water for extensive power outages

29. THE END
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