The History, Structure,
Development, and Destruction
Source: http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/~pgore/students/w97/matheson/hpage.htm


Violent cyclonic storm that develops in the tropical region

Wind speeds are > 74 mph
Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=680

In which direction does a hurricane rotate?
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Is the barometric pressure inside the hurricane high or low?
LOW

st


Provides weather information, such as data from satellites

Responsible for issuing watches and warnings to the media and general public


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

Source: http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.
gov/oa/reports/fran/fran.html




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

Heat Energy evaporating from the ocean surface
Source: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hyd/evap.rxml

Source: http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/prepare/structure.htm

Source: http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/prepare/structure.htm


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

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

Source: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hurr/stages/home.rxml

Wind Speed
Barometric Pressure

Saffir-Simpson Scale
Category Max Wind Speed
(mph)
1 74-96
2
3
4
5
97-111
112-131
132-155
> 155
Min. Surface
Pressure (mb)
> 980
979-965
964-945
944-920
< 920
Storm Surge m
(ft)
1-1.7 (3-5)
1.8-2.6 (6-8)
2.7-3.8 (9-12)
3.9-5.6 (13-18)
> 5.7 (>19)
Source: http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/hurricane/saffir-simpson.html

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



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
Souce: http://www.wkrg.com/hurricanecenter/surge/SE.jpg


Strong vertical winds

Cold water

Movement over land
 Friction
 Lack of moisture

3.
4.
1.
2.
5.
Hurricane Andrew – 1992
Hurricane Hugo – 1989
Hurricane Fran – 1996
Hurricane Opal – 1995
Hurricane Frederic - 1979


Damage is a result of development

There are more developed areas and possessions than in the past
Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1992andrew.html

3.
4.
1.
2.
5.
Galveston – 1900
Southeast Florida – 1928
Florida Keys – 1919
New England – 1938
Florida Keys – 1935



Lack of instrumentation to predict and track storms
People were not warned of the incoming danger
Results of the Galveston Hurricane
Source: http://www.1900storm.com/photographs/photo10.html

Arthur Hanna Omar
Bertha
Cristobal
Dolly
Edouard
Fay
Gustav
Isidore
Josephine
Kyle
Lili
Marco
Nana
Paloma
Rene
Sally
Teddy
Vicky
Wilfred
Source: http://www.hurricanewarning.net/coordinates.html


Damage to your house from wind?

Damage from flooding?

Destroyed vacation house?

Damage to family members’ homes?

Flooding of Tar River as result of
Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd
Dockside
Tar River
Estates
Final Water Level http:// cindi.usgs.gov/cindi/hazard/event/floyd/ncflood/mediums/img023.jpg

US 264 Bridge

Extensive Flooding

Extended Power outages

Flood Related
Deaths

Property Damage
Source: http://cindi.usgs.gov/cindi
/hazard/event/floyd/ncflood/ mediums/img022.jpg

Source: http://www.guc.com/about/floyd.htm


Listen to warnings

Take all warnings seriously

Follow evacuations

Prepare Food and Water for extensive power outages

Source: http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/~pgore/students/w97/matheson/hpage.htm