Hurricane

What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a big storm that forms over the ocean. Hurricanes form over warm parts of the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. They form near the equator in the Tropical Zone.
Causes Effects
• Warm wet mass of air over the sea that begin to evaporate
• Water has to be 79 degrees or warmer
• Combined actions of air, water, and heat produce a huge spinning system of clouds rain and wind
• Rain causes floods
• Thunderstorms are produced
• Wind smashes everything in its path
• The most dangerous part of a hurricane is the storm surge
• Wind causes ocean waves to rise over the land these waves can reach 30 feet in height


TYPES OF HURRICANES
Category 1 Minimal Wind speeds of 74 - 95 MPH
Category 2 Moderate Wind speeds of 96 - 110 MPH
Category 3 Extensive Wind speeds of 111 - 130 MPH
Category 4 Extreme Wind speeds of 131 - 155 MPH
Category 5 Catastrophic Wind speeds of over 155 MPH


Safety Tips...
• Listen to TV or radio for weather bulletins
• Board up garage and porch doors and stay away from windows
• Leave home if you might be affected by storm tide or flooding
• Follow evacuation routes to nearest shelter
• Turn off electricity and water
• Fill containers, including bathtub, with several days of drinking water
• Turn up refrigerator to maximum cold but don't open if not necessary
• Use phone only for emergencies
Facts About Hurricanes
• Diameter of the eye can be 12 to 125 meters across
• Other names for a hurricane are cyclone and typhoon
• Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30
• Names are chosen from an alphabetical list of alternating male and female names
• The National Weather Service started using men's names in 1979