1. Natural Disasters in Florida
Climate Interactions
Table of Contents
Natural Disasters in Florida
Ms. De Los Rios
6th Grade

2. Vocabulary 7.4
natural disaster is a natural event that causes severe or widespread destruction.
Storm surge- Dome of water that sweeps across the coast where a hurricane lands.
wildfire is a large fire that spreads quickly over a natural area.
flood is an overflowing of water in a normally dry area.
Drought- A long period of scarce rainfall or dry.

3. How Have Natural Disasters Affected Life in Florida? Pg. 252
A natural disaster is a natural event that causes severe or widespread destruction.
Natural disasters that affect Florida:
Hurricanes
tornados
wildfires
These natural disasters have repeatedly damaged many areas of Florida, causing loss of life and damage to property.

4. Natural Disasters in Florida
Ben wants to know the average number of hurricanes that struck the east coast annually from 2003 through 2008.
Which measure of central tendency should Ben use?

5. How Have Natural Disasters Affected Life in Florida? Pg. 253
Forty percent of all hurricanes in the United States hit Florida.
These storms bring powerful winds ,heavy rains, and storm surge.
Much damage can be done by powerful, long-lasting winds sometimes called sustained winds. The greater the winds speed, the greater the damage.
Heavy Rainfall brought by hurricanes:
can produce 15 to 30 centimeters of rain,
Can rain up to 160 kilometers inland mostly during the 6 hours before and after landfall
These rains can cause flash floods and mudslides.
Greatest threat to life and property---STORM SURGE
The rush of water that is caused by powerful winds is called a storm surge. Storm surges are the greatest threat to life and property during a hurricane.
In the ocean, storm surges can be 80 to 160 kilometers wide and raise sea levels 4.5 meters above normal tides.

6. Natural Disasters in Florida
Hurricane Paths
The east coast of the United States, including Florida, is at high risk for hurricanes.

7. Tornados pg. 254 In Florida tornados occur most often during:
Summer months
Late Winter/Spring (Feb.-April)
* More powerful
In the summer months, tornadoes form from tropical cyclones making landfall in Florida.
More powerful tornados occur in late winter as the jet stream moves south into Florida bringing strengthened thunderstorms.

8. Wildfires pg. 254
A wildfire is a large fire that spreads quickly over a natural area. Wildfires are started by: lightning arson debris burning. While wildfires are destructive and dangerous, they also shape the landscape in Florida. Wildfires are burning uncontrollably in central Florida

9. What Are the Causes of Floods and Droughts? Pg. 256
Floods: is an overflowing of water in a normally dry area.
Causes of Floods:
Increase water volume in a river and it overflows its channels
Hurricanes/storm surges from the ocean/lakes
example: Lake Okeechobee flooded in 1928 (storm surge) killing more than 2,500 people
Effects of Floods:
Cities and towns affected by floods build: dams & levees
Dam is a barrier across a river that may redirect the flow of the river to other channels. They can also store water for later use.
Levee- is a mound of earth that is built to prevent flooding.

10. Dams Levees

11. Droughts- is a long period of scarce rainfall (dry weather)
Droughts pg. 257
Droughts- is a long period of scarce rainfall (dry weather)
Droughts reduces:
supply of groundwater
Surface water
Thus, creating a shortage of water for homes and business
Causes of Droughts
Dry weather systems that remain in one place for extended periods of time.
Florida’s period of dry weather begin in Nov. and ending in May.
Effects of Droughts
Crop failure
Famine
Regulation of water use by

12. Protect Yourself From Hazardous Weather
Hurricane Safety: Be informed and follow instructions given. Hurricane warning- follow instructions to evacuate. Tornado Safety: Tornado watch-possible tornado activity in the area. Move to an secure area, either a basement of shelter. Stay away from windows and doors. Thunderstorm Safety: Safest place to be is indoor. Avoid touching telephones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixture. (conduct electricity because they are metal or they carry water) Sun Exposure: in order to protect yourself from harmful effect from the sun, limit the amount of exposure to the sun. Another way of protection is using sunscreen with UVA protection

13. Natural Disasters in Florida
Warnings about Possible Storms
What is the appropriate storm related to each sign?

14. Natural Disasters in Florida
Florida Disasters
Natural disasters have greatly affected human life in Florida. Can you point to an area on the map that was affected by a disaster?