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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NOAA predicts near-normal hurricane seasons
CNNDespite some early storms this year, forecasters Thursday predicted a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season with nine to 15 named storms, including four to eight hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes. Gerry Bell, lead hurricane season forecaster...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Tropical Storms, Natural Disasters, Weather Reports, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Digital billboards tested, ready for hurricane season
KIAHFor all of you depressed over hurricane season starting in nearly two weeks. We give you the first tropical depression of the year. It’s off the pacific coast of Mexico. It doesn’t look like much of a threat, but if there are threats to the...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Natural Disasters, Crime, Law and Justice, Disasters and Accidents, Judges
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Fierce Santa Ana winds rip through Southern Cali
KIAHThe beach boys wouldn’t write a hit song about just any gust of wind, the Santa Ana winds are living up to their reputation this year. We’re talking 150-miles per hour through the Sierra Mountains. The winds blew into southern California...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Natural Disasters, Hurricane Damage, Disasters and Accidents
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Hurricane season ends
KIAHHurricane season has blown by and left the US fairly unscathed. Thank goodness! Remember the predictions last year? NOAA predicted up to 18 tropical storms and as many as 10 hurricanes. They said 3 to 6 of those would be big boys…and girls....Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Tropical Storms, Natural Disasters, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Disasters and Accidents
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Tropical Storm Sean says don't forget it's still hurricane season
A tropical storm watch was issued for Bermuda on Tuesday ahead of newly formed Tropical Storm Sean, forecasters said. Sean formed early Tuesday, midway between Bermuda and the Bahamas, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said. As of midday Tuesday,...Tags: Natural Disasters, Tropical Storms, National Hurricane Center, Disasters, Weather
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First Of Five Homes Completed From Disaster Relief Fund
KIAH86-year-old Mary Porras lost her house in hurricane Ike in 2008, the place she'd called home since she was 11-years-old. Now she's getting the keys to the first of five homes completed from the Hurricane Ike Disaster Relief Fund. 63 other Houston area...Tags: Hurricane Ike (2008), Meteorological Disasters, Natural Disasters, Disasters and Accidents, Disasters
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Tropical Storm Emily Emerges
KIAHTropical storm Emily, still disorganized but looming, is playing the waiting game while idling just south of Haiti. Much of Haiti hasn`t recovered from last year`s seven-magnitude earthquake that left the country in ruins. Now winds up to 50 mph are...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Natural Disasters, Tropical Storms, Haiti Earthquake (2010), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Hurricane Irene Is Just Wakin' Up
KIAHThe powerful hurricane Irene is churning up strength in the Atlantic and has her eyes set on the southeast tip of the U.S. The first hurricane of the season, Irene is making her way through the Caribbean and is currently north of the Dominican Republic....Tags: Natural Disasters, National Hurricane Center, Disasters and Accidents, Florida, Hurricane Irene (2011)
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Shut Your Mouth
KIAHWhile speaking to a group of senior citizens in Florida, Republican Candidate Michele Bachmann insinuated the recent Washington-area earthquake and hurricane Irene are signs that god's angry with the leadership of the nation. What?! Millions of...Tags: Natural Disasters, Ron Paul, FEMA, Michele M. Bachmann, Texas
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Empty Pockets: FEMA Running Out Of Money
KIAHHurricane Irene’s remnants are still evident in the northeast that has left thousands homeless and roads and bridges torn apart. But when it rains, it really does pour. It seems like there may not be enough federal assistance money this time...Tags: Natural Disasters, Missouri, FEMA, Disasters and Accidents, Hurricane Irene (2011)
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Fire And Rain
KIAHAs wildfires continue to burn through much of north Texas and Oklahoma families living just west of Dallas are being told to pack up and get out. The wildfires have charred more than 6,000 acres and destroyed over 3 dozen homes in Palo Pinto County...Tags: Natural Disasters, Texas, Disasters and Accidents, Dallas, Oklahoma
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Hurricane Season: Are You Ready?
KIAHArlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert... If it sounds like class roll call, it`s not. These are the much anticipated names for hurricanes in 2011. As usual, it`s supposed to be an active year and as usual, it`s time to get ready. You can call...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Natural Disasters, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Disasters and Accidents, Disasters
May 24, 2012
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Nov 8, 2011
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