Hurricanes

What Is A Hurricane?
• Hurricanes are
intense tropical
cyclones with a
maximum
sustained
speed of at
least 65 knots
(74mph).
 By Any Other Name
• Hurricanes form in the warm
waters of the world.
• In the Eastern Pacific they are
called typhoons.
• In the Indian Ocean they’re
called cyclones.
 By Any Other Name
• They usually form from some
old low pressure system or
tropical wave.
• If the wave develops circulation
and reaches winds of 35knots(
39mph ) they are tropical
storms and named.
 Physical Make-up

• Hurricanes
have a
diameter of
less than 100
miles to over
500 miles.
 Physical Make-up
• They have a
more or less
circular “eye”
which may be
well defined
in stronger
storms.
 Hurricane Power
• Hurricanes
are ranked on
a 1-5 scale
called the
Saffir-
Simpson
Scale.
 Hurricane Power
• A 1 would be a
minimal
hurricane with
winds 74-95
mph.
• A 5 is
catastrophic
with winds 155
mph+
 Danger from Hurricanes
• In the US,
most people
that die from
hurricanes
are killed by
fresh water
flooding.
 Danger from Hurricanes
• Worldwide,
most die from
the storm
surge.
• Why would
that occur?
 Storm Surge
• To Answer that question let’s
take a look at storm surge.
 Think You Know Why?
In the US our
warning
system is so
good that
people along
the coast
know when
the storm is
coming.
 Think You Know Why?

In many parts
of the world
people may
not know to
leave.
 Think Back!

• Fresh water
flooding was
the number
one cause of
death in the
United States.
• Do you
remember
from the graph
the number
two cause of
death by
hurricane in
the U.S.?
 THE WIND!
• Take a look at
this piece of
wood that
was driven
into the palm
tree.
 THE WIND!

• Flying objects
in the wind
can be very
dangerous.
 Here Are A Few Hurricane
Questions!

• When is the
official
starting date
for the
Atlantic
Hurricane
season?
 Here Are A Few Hurricane
Questions!

• What is the
last day of
the hurricane
season?
 THE ANSWER!
• The Atlantic Season
begins June 1st and
ends on November
30th.
• BUT! Atlantic
hurricanes have
occurred in every
month but one!
 During Which Month Do We Have
The Largest Number Of
Hurricanes?
• On the average,
there are 10
named storms a
year. Historically,
September is the
month with the
most named
storms.
Hurricanes That Have Impacted
Our Area.
 The Great Atlantic Hurricane of
1944
• This storm had
reported
sustained
winds of
134mph at the
mouth of the
Chesapeake
Bay
 Hurricane Hazel in 1954

• Hurricane
Hazel caused a
great deal of
damage to the
Tidewater area
with sustained
winds in excess
of 100mph.
 Hurricane Camille in 1969
• One of the Few
Category 5
storms to hit the
US.
• 113 died in
Virginia due to
the heavy rains
and flash floods.
• Richmond was
flooded!
 Hurricane Floyd in 1999
• Hurricane Floyd
caused a great
deal of flooding
and power
outages from
fallen trees.
• Notice the rain
bands.
 Bonus Question!

• What Two Things Will Kill Or

Weaken A Hurricane?
• Think About The Things That Are
Needed For A Hurricane To Form.
 The Answer!

•Cold Water AND

Land!
 Now A Quick Review!

• A hurricane must have a

sustained wind of at least ___
mph.
• 74
 #2

• Hurricanes are called _______ in

the Eastern Pacific.
• Typhoons
 #3

• What is the name of the hurricane

intensity scale?
• Saffer-Simpson
 #4

• What aspect about hurricanes kills

the most people in the U.S.?
• Freshwater Flooding
 #5

• When does the Atlantic Hurricane

season officially begin?
• June 1st
 The Last Question!

• What Category 5 hurricane killed

over 100 people in Virginia?
• Camille