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Keep safe during storm season with these facts about hurricanes
Direct Energy, November 27, 2023
10 minute read
Keep safe during storm season with these facts about hurricanes
Direct Energy, November 27, 2023
10 minute read
Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that form in the Western Hemisphere and the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical cyclones are the most complex and powerful storm systems on Earth. They pack all the hazards of the planet's atmosphere: torrential rain, lightning, hail, high-speed winds and tornadoes. And they all begin with calm winds swirling over very calm, warm waters.
Below, we’ll go over some facts about hurricanes, like how they're formed, how big they can get, and how much damage they can leave in their wake..
As seen in the image above, hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean form in the waters off the western coast of Mexico and often move northwest, further into the ocean. Hurricanes that do head to the U.S. often lose strength or dissipate before reaching the West Coast due to cooler water and upper-level wind shears. Hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, however, often pose a much greater threat. This is greatly due to the dry, hot winds that are blown westward from the Sahara desert.
Steps to a hurricane's formation:
Hurricanes form at different times depending upon where they occur.
North Atlantic
Northwest Pacific
Northeast Pacific
Southwest Pacific
South Indian
North Indian
June
July
May
October
October
April
November
November
November
May
May
December
On average, the diameter of hurricane-force winds is about 100 miles. Slower speed winds further out from the storm center increase the storm system's diameter on average 300 to 400 miles across. And the eye of the hurricane is 30 miles in diameter.
A hurricane is dangerous no matter its size or strength. A hurricane's high winds, storm surges, heavy rains and tornadoes all pose a threat to anything in the hurricane's path. While that path varies from hurricane to hurricane, it is often the coastal states with heavily populated areas that bear the brunt of the destruction.
Hurricane-force wind strength is rated according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This scale estimates potential property damage according to the hurricane's sustained wind speed.
Category 1: 75-95 MPH - Very dangerous. Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to the roof, or tree branch damage. Some power loss.
Category 2: 96-110 MPH - Extremely dangerous. Homes sustain major roof and siding damage. Shallow-rooted trees snapped or uprooted. Near-total power loss is expected.
Category 3: 111-129 MPH - Devastating damage. Major damage to house roof decking. Many trees uprooted or snapped. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days or weeks.
Category 4: 130-156 MPH - Catastrophic damage. Many homes can be severely damaged. Most trees snapped or uprooted. Power outages can be extensive, lasting weeks to months.
Category 5: 157+ MPH - Catastrophic damage. Most homes are destroyed. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
In addition to high winds, a hurricane causes high tides. A normal ocean tide is about two feet tall. But when storm winds push up against the ocean surface, pulling up seawater, this forms a storm surge that piles on top of the normal tide. If a hurricane's winds add 15 feet on top of the normal 2-foot ocean tide, this produces a 17-foot storm tide, which can very easily sweep away buildings, trees, cars, and people.
Storm tide height also depends on whether the tide is high or low. The worst case is when a hurricane has generated a storm tide during a normal high tide. High tides carry storm surges higher and help send them further inland.
Hurricanes can travel up to 100 to 200 miles inland. Once a hurricane moves inland, however, it can no longer draw on heat energy from the ocean and weakens rapidly to a tropical storm (39 to 73 MPH winds) or tropical depression. As hurricanes move inland, they unleash torrential rains, causing the greatest damage inland by flooding.
Inland towns in mountainous regions are especially vulnerable to flash flooding. Rain strikes mountainsides and rushes down to the rivers, quickly inundating towns as it goes. Rain from Tropical Storm Bill (2015) dumped 10 inches of rain on west Texas, causing surging floods throughout creek and river valleys. Flash flooding in Austin and San Antonio metro areas required multiple high-water rescues. Hurricanes and their remnants have struck every state in the Union.
Since hurricanes develop in the ocean, it's easy to detect the oncoming of a hurricane before it hits inland. Weather forecasters will know several hours to several days before the arrival of a hurricane, providing ample time for preparation. Make sure to follow your local weather news channel for alerts.
Decide if you are going to take shelter in place or evacuate.
Take shelter:
Evacuate:
Buis, Alan. "Could a Hurricane Ever Strike Southern California?" Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Institute of Technology, NASA, 17 Oct. 2012, Jet Propulsion Labratory at NASA.
"Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale." National Hurricane Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
"Storm Surge Overview." National Hurricane Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Storm Surge Overview.
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