Hurricanes & Safety

Created By: Dominique Turner

Table of Contents• What is a Hurricane and how do they form?

• The Saffir-Simpson Scale

• Where do hurricanes form?

• How are hurricanes named?

• Parts of a hurricane

• Hurricane watch vs. Hurricane warning

• Hurricane Preparation

• Good Advice

What Are Hurricanes & How Dow they

Form?• Large tropical storms with winds greater than 74 MPH.

• Rotate clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

• Counter-Clockwise in the northern.

• They form in water is 80°F and above.

• Hurricanes contain torrential rain and storm surge that can move into the land causing flooding.

• Warm water gives it its strength.

• Land weakens the hurricane.

Saffir-Simpson Scale

• Measures the intensity of a hurricane

• Contains 5 categories

• Category 1 = minor damage

• Category 5 = major damage

Saffir-Simpson Scale

Lower Pressure = Stronger Hurricane

Pressure is 980 millibars (MB). Light Damage

Pressure is 965-979 MB. Moderate DamagePressure is 945-964 MB. Extensive DamagePressure is 920-944 MB. Extreme DamagePressure is <920 MB. Catastrophic Damage

Where Do Hurricanes Form?

• All hurricanes form near the equator.

• Atlantic, Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.

• They are not always called hurricanes:

• Atlantic and Eastern Pacific-Hurricanes

• Western Pacific-Typhoons

• Indian Ocean-Cyclones

Map of Formation

Hurricanes

Cyclones

TyphoonsHurricanes

How Are Hurricanes Named?

• Began in 1953.

• There are 21 names on the list.

• It’s numbered when it’s a T.D. (<39 MPH).

• It’s a named when it’s a T.S. (39-73 MPH).

• Hurricane winds are >73 MPH.

• The Greek alphabet (Link) is used when names run out.

• Occurred once in 2005.

How Are Hurricanes Named?

• On the list of names (Link), male and female names alternate.

• Male and female names were used starting in 1979.

• The same name is used every six years.

• When a storm does major damage, that name is never used again.

Hurricane Watch vs. Warning

• Hurricane Watch

• Hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hrs.

• Take immediate action if a hurricane warning is issued.

• Hurricane Warning

• Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hrs.

• You must evacuate when asked.

• The same goes for tropical storm watches and warnings

Hurricane Preparation

• Put shutters on your windows.

• Monitor the weather.constantly

• You Must Evacuate when asked

• Move farther inland to a shelter or hotel.

• If evacuating, leave early.

• Take your pet or leave it with plenty of food and water.

• Store loose objects outdoors inside.

Hurricane Preparation

• If you are going to a shelter or hotel, you should bring:

• A first-aid kit and medicine

• Clothes

• Baby food, diapers, etc.

• Entertainment. Ex. Cards, books, video/board games, etc.

• You will get bored

• Battery-powered radio

• Flashlight and batteries

• Extra batteries

• Things to sleep on

• Valuable papers

• Cash

For A Complete List:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml

REMEMBER THIS

• YOU MUST EVACUATE WHEN ASKED TO.

• IF YOU DON’T, THINGS COULD GET DANGEROUS, EVEN DEADLY.

• HAVE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN READY.

• NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A HURRICANE!

Bibliography

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

•http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/sevweath/swwhatare.html

•http://www.fema.gov/business/guide/section3d.shtm

•Changes to the 2010 Hurricane Season