Highlights
Hurricanes are nature's most powerful storms, bred out of heat, moisture and intense low pressure. Serving as a heat-release valve in the Earth's atmosphere, hurricanes can be as expansive as 600 miles in diameter, build to a height of more than 50,000 feet into the sky and pack sustained winds of up to 185 mph. In the Northern Hemisphere, they always swirl counterclockwise. To give the public a reading on their power and potential for destruction, hurricanes are classified into five categories under the Saffir-Simpson Scale. The scale is based on maximum sustained winds: Category 1: 74 to 95 mph; Category 2: 96-110 mph; Category 3: 111-130 mph; Category 4: 131-155 mph; Category 5: More than...
Hurricanes are nature's most powerful storms, bred out of heat, moisture and intense low pressure. Serving as a heat-release valve in the Earth's atmosphere, hurricanes can be as expansive as 600 miles in diameter, build to a height of more than 50,000 feet into the sky and pack sustained winds of up to 185 mph. In the Northern Hemisphere, they always swirl counterclockwise. To give the public a reading on their power and potential for destruction, hurricanes are classified into five categories under the Saffir-Simpson Scale. The scale is based on maximum sustained winds: Category 1: 74 to 95 mph; Category 2: 96-110 mph; Category 3: 111-130 mph; Category 4: 131-155 mph; Category 5: More than 155 mph.
When a hurricane is a Category 3, 4 or 5 it is considered a major - or intense - hurricane. Since 1925, hurricanes have caused almost $5 billion in damage per year on average in the United States. Major hurricanes account for more than 80 percent of the damage and strike the United States every 1.3 years on average.
Storm surge, a steady rise of sea waters above tide levels, is the most deadly aspect of hurricanes, as it can result in severe flooding and battering waves. Inland flooding also has proven to be a prolific killer. Yet, many people die in the aftermath of storms from downed electrical wires, water-covered ditches or falling objects such as trees.
Some of the most deadly U.S. hurricanes include:
-- The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 hit Galveston, Texas on Sept. 8, 1900 as a Category 4 system with an estimated death toll between 8,000 and 12,000;
-- The Great Florida Hurricane of 1928 hit near West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sept. 16, 1928 as a Category 4 with an estimated death toll of about 2,500, most of those around Lake Okeechobee;
-- And Hurricane Katrina hit southeast Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2005 as a Category 3 and was estimated to kill more than 1,800 in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast.
Florida is the most hurricane vulnerable state in the nation. Since 1900, 67 hurricanes have struck the state, 29 of them major. Texas is closest behind with 40 hurricanes, 17 major.
Scientists say hurricane activity rises and falls based on a natural cycle of warm waters ebbing and flowing into the tropical regions where hurricanes frequently are spawned. These cycles, or eras, can last 20 to 30 years. However, in recent years, a growing number of scientists say global warming has increased the number of major hurricanes each year, as well as increased their intensity.
The storm seasons spanning 1995-2005 comprised the most active 10 consecutive hurricane years on record. Hurricanes are born out of low-pressure areas called tropical waves. In the Atlantic basin, these waves are frequently created by the heat of the North African desert. The waves feed off warm ocean waters. Thunderstorms develop and a low-pressure center forms.
When the thunderstorm activity forms a closed circulation around a low-pressure center, the system is deemed to be a tropical depression. When the sustained winds reach 39 mph, the system becomes a tropical storm. When those winds reach 74 mph, it becomes a hurricane.
The strongest winds of a hurricane are usually found near the eye wall, or the circle of clouds around the center. The eye can be 10 to 30 miles in diameter. Generally, the stronger the hurricane, the smaller the eye.
While hurricanes most commonly form between June and November, the most powerful hurricanes are spawned near the Cape Verde Islands between mid August and the end of September. Officially, the hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.
When a hurricane is a Category 3, 4 or 5 it is considered a major - or intense - hurricane. Since 1925, hurricanes have caused almost $5 billion in damage per year on average in the United States. Major hurricanes account for more than 80 percent of the damage and strike the United States every 1.3 years on average.
Storm surge, a steady rise of sea waters above tide levels, is the most deadly aspect of hurricanes, as it can result in severe flooding and battering waves. Inland flooding also has proven to be a prolific killer. Yet, many people die in the aftermath of storms from downed electrical wires, water-covered ditches or falling objects such as trees.
Some of the most deadly U.S. hurricanes include:
-- The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 hit Galveston, Texas on Sept. 8, 1900 as a Category 4 system with an estimated death toll between 8,000 and 12,000;
-- The Great Florida Hurricane of 1928 hit near West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sept. 16, 1928 as a Category 4 with an estimated death toll of about 2,500, most of those around Lake Okeechobee;
-- And Hurricane Katrina hit southeast Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2005 as a Category 3 and was estimated to kill more than 1,800 in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast.
Florida is the most hurricane vulnerable state in the nation. Since 1900, 67 hurricanes have struck the state, 29 of them major. Texas is closest behind with 40 hurricanes, 17 major.
Scientists say hurricane activity rises and falls based on a natural cycle of warm waters ebbing and flowing into the tropical regions where hurricanes frequently are spawned. These cycles, or eras, can last 20 to 30 years. However, in recent years, a growing number of scientists say global warming has increased the number of major hurricanes each year, as well as increased their intensity.
The storm seasons spanning 1995-2005 comprised the most active 10 consecutive hurricane years on record. Hurricanes are born out of low-pressure areas called tropical waves. In the Atlantic basin, these waves are frequently created by the heat of the North African desert. The waves feed off warm ocean waters. Thunderstorms develop and a low-pressure center forms.
When the thunderstorm activity forms a closed circulation around a low-pressure center, the system is deemed to be a tropical depression. When the sustained winds reach 39 mph, the system becomes a tropical storm. When those winds reach 74 mph, it becomes a hurricane.
The strongest winds of a hurricane are usually found near the eye wall, or the circle of clouds around the center. The eye can be 10 to 30 miles in diameter. Generally, the stronger the hurricane, the smaller the eye.
While hurricanes most commonly form between June and November, the most powerful hurricanes are spawned near the Cape Verde Islands between mid August and the end of September. Officially, the hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.
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Hurricane Ike weakens to Category 3 storm
The Associated PressThe National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Ike has weakened to a Category 3 storm in the Atlantic. Ike's maximum sustained winds have dropped to near 125 mph as of 5 a.m. today. And the hurricane center says more weakening is expected during the next...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Disasters, National Hurricane Center, Natural Disasters, Hurricane Ike
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Southeast braces for Tropical Storm Hanna
The Associated Press and Staff ReportsTropical Storm Hanna is accelerating northwestward this morning toward the Atlantic coast, where it could bring high winds and rain from South Carolina to Maine. According to the 5 a.m. National Hurricane Center forecast, Hanna was located about 430...Tags: North Carolina, Hurricane Hanna, Labor Legislation, Disasters, Charlie Crist
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Hurricane Ike weakens to Category 3 in Atlantic
The Associated PressThe National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Ike has weakened to a Category 3 storm in the Atlantic. Ike's maximum sustained winds have dropped to near 125 mph as of 5 a.m. Friday. And the hurricane center says more weakening is expected during the...Tags: Weather Reports, Disasters, Natural Disasters, Delaware, Tropical Storm Hanna
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Josephine's winds at 45 mph, little change expected through Friday
South Florida Sun-SentinelTropical Storm Josephine strengthened overnight with maximum sustained winds at 45 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. At 11 p.m. the storm was 630 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands. It was moving west-northwest at about 10 mph....Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Disasters, Tropical Storms, National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Josephine
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137 dead in Haiti; FEMA footing bill
FEMA announced it is planning to offer assistance to evacuees of Hurricane Gustav. The agency said it is planning to pay the hotel expenses of some of the nearly 2 million people who fled their homes ahead of Gustav. In Haiti, the death toll from...Tags: Hurricane Hanna, Meteorological Disasters, Disasters, Natural Disasters, Hurricane Gustav
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ASK TOM WHY
Dear Tom, I lived in Liberia for seven years, and we experienced dust storms called harmattans. Do these winds eventually cause the hurricanes that reach the U.S.? —Patrick McKeen, Buffalo Grove Dear Patrick, Hurricanes that affect...Tags: Buffalo Grove, Meteorological Disasters, Disasters, Natural Disasters
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2 more on the horizon
Associated PressNASSAU, Bahamas — Hurricane Ike, a Category 4 storm, was advancing across the Atlantic toward the Bahamas late Thursday, with Tropical Storm Josephine just behind it. "As soon as we are clear with Hanna, we have to turn our eyes now on Ike, a...Tags: Hurricane Preparedness, Meteorological Disasters, Tropical Storms, Disasters, Natural Disasters
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Gators aim to end losing skid against Hurricanes
Sentinel Staff WriterWith no consistency in the scheduling of Florida-Miami games, the rivalry just doesn't have the same bite as it used to. Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley almost had the bite marks to prove it. "I was walking down to the field and a police dog came...Tags: Orange Bowl, Philadelphia Eagles, Vinny Testaverde, Randy Shannon, Disasters
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Haitians drenched, starving, panicking
The Associated PressFloodwaters frustrated efforts by Argentine peacekeepers to distribute food at orphanages marooned by Tropical Storm Hanna on Thursday. They hunkered down in their base as desperate people begged for food and water outside the gates. A Haitian politician...Tags: Maine, Disasters, Foreign Aid, Natural Disasters, Tropical Storm Hanna
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Ike still far away, but latest track has Florida in hurricane's path
Sun SentinelHurricane Ike began to turn west late Thursday night, but forecasters still don't know if and when it will make landfall, the National Hurricane Center said. Florida remains in the powerful storm's 5-day trajectory. Some Hurricane Center models show...Tags: Miami-Dade County, Miami (Miami-Dade, Florida), Meteorological Disasters, Disasters, National Hurricane Center
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Fearing Hanna, States Declare Emergencies; Ike Strengthens
Associated PressSome Southeastern states declared emergencies and officials urged residents to head inland Thursday as Tropical Storm Hanna headed toward the Atlantic coast, where it could bring high winds and rain from South Carolina to Maine. Meanwhile, disaster...Tags: North Carolina, Floods, Massachusetts, Maine, Natural Disasters
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FEMA to cover hotels for those with damaged homes
From Sun news servicesA Federal Emergency Management Agency official says Hurricane Gustav evacuees whose homes remain uninhabitable can have their hotel costs paid by FEMA. David Garratt, a deputy assistant administrator for the agency, said last night that the aid won't...Tags: Tourism and Leisure, Michael Chertoff, Disasters, Natural Disasters, Bobby Jindal
Sep 5, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Sep 5, 2008
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sep 5, 2008
|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sep 4, 2008
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|Story| South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Sep 5, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
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|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Sep 5, 2008
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Sep 4, 2008
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Sep 5, 2008
|Story| Associated Press
Sep 5, 2008
|Story| Baltimore Sun
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