Hurricanes

      You've heard about those deadly tropical storms, haven't you? Hurricanes are deadly storms with winds of 74 MPH minimum. Hurricanes are formed when heat over the ocean creates low pressure, allowing winds to curl towards the center of the flow. This helps winds evaporate more water vapor, creating showers and thunderstorms.An 'eyewall' forms and is called a tropical storm until winds reach 74 MPH.

After the hurricane has come and passed, the strong storms can lower powerlines, electrocuting the flooded streets, it can smash cars, create tornadoes, riptides, AND cause BILLIONS in damage.

Although we know that storms may be unpredictable, there is a way to measure hurricanes. The Saffir-Simpson scale measures hurricanes on a scale of 1 to 5. One means 74-95 MPH, creating some damage, and five being 157 MPH or higher, being catastrophic damage occurs. 

          

Although hurricanes are deadly, can always stay safe, even in the tightest situations. Where a hurricane is approaching your area, then hurricane watches and warnings will be sent out into the radio. if it is before the hurricane strikes, then try to get to higher ground, and have an emergency kit with enough water for 3 days. During the hurricane, stay away from glass and windows. After it passes, then STAY AWAY from powerlines.

 Since hurricanes are one of the most destructive storms in the world, there       are bound to be some famous storms. Katrina was the costliest hurricane in the whole world, causing $108 BILLION in damage. the 1900 Galveston hurricane was the most deadliest hurricane, causing 12,000 deaths. Hurricane Andrew was also very deadly, as in fact, was a category 5 at landfall!

So! Now that you know a little bit of the basics of a hurricane, here are some REALLY interesting facts.

1. You thought that a hurricane in Southern CA was impossible? No. There was a hurricane in Southern CA in 1858 that killed 45 people.
2. Hurricane provide enough enough energy in one day too power the lights of Las Vegas for many years!
3. The word Hurricane originates from 'hurican', the name of an evil god.
4.  Jupiter's 'Great Red Spot' is actually a hurricane greater than earth itself that has been around for more than 300 years.
5. The largest hurricanes can be the size of Montana, the 4th largest state in the US, 600 miles wide.
6. In a hurricane,the center or the eye, of the hurricane is the only calm spot in the hurricane, but outside of that eye, the winds are the strongest and can literally sweep you off your feet.
7. Hurricanes never form at the equator because they need the Coriolis Force, which is very weak at the equator, to spin.
8.  In Australia, hurricanes are called “willy-willies"
9. 40% of all hurricanes that make landfall in the US lands in Florida.
10. Tropical storms are classified as hurricanes when the winds reach 74 MPH

Some vocabulary associated with hurricane:

• cyclone
• catastrophic
• extensive
• air pressure
• endanger
• meteorologist

Websites and Books.

www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-hurricane.htm,www.nhc.noaa.gov/, www.ready.gov/hurricanes, facts.randomhistory.com/hurricane-facts.html

,  hurricane-facts.com/Interesting-Hurricane-Facts.php World book, Tornadoes and hurricanes