Chapter 7Natural Disasters in Florida
VOCABULARY• Natural disaster
• Storm surge
• Wildfire
• Flood
• Drought
• Sink Hole
• Tornado
WHAT IS A NATURAL DISASTER?
• Is a natural event that causes severe or widespread destruction.
• Examples: hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, floods, wildfires.
• Florida has been struck by hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. These have caused great destruction to our state.
HURRICANES• What is a hurricane?
• Storm with powerful winds and heavy rains.
• Water from the ocean and lakes may rush onshore and cause flooding.
• Storm surge- the rush of water that is caused by powerful winds. Rush of ocean water onshore, on the coast.
ANIMATED MODEL OF A HURRICANE
• http://www.tmba.tv/broadcastanimation/weathergraphics/hurricane-science/
- Is a large fire that spreads quickly over a natural area. Wildfires can start by lightning,
arson, or debris burning, especially when land is
dry.
- Dry season runs from Nov/Dec-Apr/May.
- Florida’s landscape is shaped by wildfires.
- Florida’s pinelands and scrubs contain pine
trees. These pine trees have a thick bark and
can withstand wildfires.
Wildfires in Florida
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvPa_yEEd4E
Forest Fire Web Cam!!
Floods• overflowing of water in a normally dry area.• Floods are not only caused by hurricanes, but by
overflowing of rivers or storm surges. • Storm surges are from the ocean or from large lakes.
- Ways to try and control flooding:
- Building Dams- • barrier across a river that redirects the flow of the river into other channels.
• Levees- is a mound of earth that is built around a lake, river, and/or ocean.
Flood Images & Examples
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7unlPvNxLLA
Video of New Orleans flooding…(I know it’s not Florida!!
- long period of scarce rainfall or dry
weather. Reduces the supply of
groundwater and surface water.
Cause of a drought-dry weather systems that
remain in one place for weeks or months at a
time.
Droughts can cause crop failure and famine
in places people grow their own food.
If drought is severe, water use may be regulated.
Drought
SINKHOLES• Areas of land where
water gathers and cannot drain out.
• Florida is on top of Limestone, which is a porous rock.
• Dirt, sand, & clay on top of the limestone.
• If the stone is “eaten” away the ground will get too heavy & sink!
• Anything on top will sink right in!!
AMAZING SINKHOLES!
HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?FEATURE=PLAYER_DETAILPAGE&V=WVGFJEIXOSA#T=2
YouTube Sinkholes Segment…
Only watching the beginning up until the intro to NOVA
2. Porous Limestone underneath ground gets too much water
1. Continuous precipitation hits Florida
3. A pond will start to form
4. Eventually the ground weakens and sinks
TORNADOES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWh9jV_1ac
• What are they?• How do they form?
• How do they disappear?• Let’s find out!
TORNADOES IN ACTION!
•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeyou7BL_0g
HOW DO WE MEASURE TORNADOES?
Protecting yourself from hazardous weather
Hurricane- weather satellites track hurricanes.-hurricane watch- hurricane conditions expected within 36 hrs.-hurricane warning- hurricane conditions expected
within 24 hrs.- if told to evacuate, leave the area immediately.
Tornado- weather satellites try to predict tornados.-tornado watch- tornado is possible-tornado warning- tornado has been seen in sky or
on weather radar.-safest place to be is in a storm shelter or
basement.Thunderstorm Safety-
-safest place is indoors, try not to touch telephones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures.
-avoid bodies of water
Sun Exposure Safety
The sun is harmful to your skin.
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause sunburn and
may lead to skin cancer.
Here are some things you can do!
- Protect your skin, and limit your time in the sun.
- Use sunscreen, UVA and UVB protection.
- Use hats and sunglasses.- Clouds DO NOT block the sun’s
harmful rays.
Don’t be this guy!
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