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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Atlantic Storm Could Bring Early Start To Hurricane Season
ReutersMIAMI (Reuters) - A swirling mass of thunderstorms off the South Carolina coast has a 50-percent chance of developing into a tropical depression or a tropical storm and could bring an early start to the Atlantic hurricane season, forecasters said on...Tags: National Hurricane Center, Weather, Disasters and Accidents, Tropical Storms, Tropical Weather
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Gov. Christie Urging Residents To Avoid Shore Ahead Of Irene
In preparation for Hurricane Irene, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie urged all residents to avoid hitting the Jersey shore, as it appears the storm may come "dangerously" close to the coast.
At a press conference Thursday, Christie advised those living...Tags: Disasters, Weather, Chris Christie, Disasters and Accidents, Government
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Evacuations Begin On Long Island As Irene Takes Aim
pix11.comAs Irene approaches the Long Island shoreline, the new woman in all of our lives is already forcing the counties of Nassau and Suffolk to begin preparations for the first major hurricane to impact the island since Gloria in September of 1985. "Please...Tags: Hurricane Irene (2011), Disasters, National Hurricane Center, Disasters and Accidents, Suffolk County (New York)
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Bloomberg Announces New Evacuations, Possible MTA Shutdown
pix11.comMayor Bloomberg and former MTA chairman Jay Walder addressed the city Thursday evening, emphasizing that New Yorkers need to brace themselves for a storm that could cause widespread flooding, the cancellation of MTA service, structural damage to buildings...Tags: Disasters, New York, Coney Island, Transportation, Medical Services
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NY, NJ Declare States Of Emergency; LI Urging Residents To Evacuate Ahead Of Irene
As Hurricane Irene starts barreling herself towards the Outer Banks, five states declared a State of Emergency Thursday ahead of what will most certainly be a messy and wet weekend.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, New Jersey Gov....Tags: Disasters, North Carolina, Weather, Government, New York
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Amtrak Cancels More Trains In Preparation For Irene
August 26, 2011 6:00 p.m. EDT
As Hurricane Irene continues to advance, Amtrak is canceling more East Coast trains with service reductions beginning on Saturday, Aug. 27, and no trains operating in the Northeast on Sunday, Aug. 28.
The cancellations...Tags: Disasters, Disasters and Accidents, New York, Tampa, St. Albans
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Bloomberg Orders Mandatory Evacuations For Low-Lying Areas Of NYC
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg isn't taking any chances with Hurricane Irene, ordering a first-ever mandatory evacuation for all New Yorkers living in low-lying areas of the city.
Bloomberg said residents living in Zone-A SEE ALL NEW YORK CITY...Tags: Midland Beach, Disasters, Metro-North Railroad, Disasters and Accidents, Car Safety Tips and Advice
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Complete MTA Shutdown Starts Today At Noon
pix11.comRecap of MTA Hurricane Plans: Systemwide Shutdown Begins at 12 Noon Today; New Yorkers Urged Not to Wait Until Last Minute to Evacuate; Some Fare and Toll Collection Is Suspended The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reminds customers that all...Tags: Animals, Disasters, Disasters and Accidents, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Bronx (New York City)
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Mandatory Evacuation Orders Issued In Parts Of Jersey City
pix11.comJersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy in consultation with the Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security has ordered a Mandatory Evacuation Order for the following locations effective 1:00 PM today Saturday August 27th 2011 through 4:00pm: -...Tags: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Disasters, Weather, Disasters and Accidents, Manhattan (New York City)
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Con Edison Announces Possible Shutdowns
Staff reporterCon Edison is monitoring electric, gas & steam for outages, and issued the following press release: As Hurricane Irene approaches New York, Con Edison is closely monitoring the storm's progress and preparing for the possibility of extensive outages to...Tags: Disasters, Weather, Television, Manufacturing and Engineering, Entertainment
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Hurricane Irene Takes Its First Lives
Staff reporterHurricane Irene has now taken three lives as it continues to barrel its way up the East Coast, according to reports. The latest death occurred when a driver lost control of his car on a storm-battered North Carolina road, according to emergency...Tags: Disasters, National Hurricane Center, North Carolina, Weather, Disasters and Accidents
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Mayor Bloomberg Delivers Afternoon Hurricane Update
pix11.comMayor Bloomberg addressed New Yorkers at the Office of Emergency Management Saturday afternoon, and strongly emphasized the need for the city's New York City Housing Authority residents to evacuate, and for those not in mandatory evacuation zones to...Tags: Disasters, Commuting, Interior Policy, North Carolina, Weather
May 19, 2012
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