Highlights
Hurricanes are nature's most powerful storms, bred out of heat, moisture and intense low pressure. Serving as a heat-release valve in the Earth's atmosphere, hurricanes can be as expansive as 600 miles in diameter, build to a height of more than 50,000 feet into the sky and pack sustained winds of up to 185 mph. In the Northern Hemisphere, they always swirl counterclockwise. To give the public a reading on their power and potential for destruction, hurricanes are classified into five categories under the Saffir-Simpson Scale. The scale is based on maximum sustained winds: Category 1: 74 to 95 mph; Category 2: 96-110 mph; Category 3: 111-130 mph; Category 4: 131-155 mph; Category 5: More than...
Hurricanes are nature's most powerful storms, bred out of heat, moisture and intense low pressure. Serving as a heat-release valve in the Earth's atmosphere, hurricanes can be as expansive as 600 miles in diameter, build to a height of more than 50,000 feet into the sky and pack sustained winds of up to 185 mph. In the Northern Hemisphere, they always swirl counterclockwise. To give the public a reading on their power and potential for destruction, hurricanes are classified into five categories under the Saffir-Simpson Scale. The scale is based on maximum sustained winds: Category 1: 74 to 95 mph; Category 2: 96-110 mph; Category 3: 111-130 mph; Category 4: 131-155 mph; Category 5: More than 155 mph.
When a hurricane is a Category 3, 4 or 5 it is considered a major - or intense - hurricane. Since 1925, hurricanes have caused almost $5 billion in damage per year on average in the United States. Major hurricanes account for more than 80 percent of the damage and strike the United States every 1.3 years on average.
Storm surge, a steady rise of sea waters above tide levels, is the most deadly aspect of hurricanes, as it can result in severe flooding and battering waves. Inland flooding also has proven to be a prolific killer. Yet, many people die in the aftermath of storms from downed electrical wires, water-covered ditches or falling objects such as trees.
Some of the most deadly U.S. hurricanes include:
-- The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 hit Galveston, Texas on Sept. 8, 1900 as a Category 4 system with an estimated death toll between 8,000 and 12,000;
-- The Great Florida Hurricane of 1928 hit near West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sept. 16, 1928 as a Category 4 with an estimated death toll of about 2,500, most of those around Lake Okeechobee;
-- And Hurricane Katrina hit southeast Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2005 as a Category 3 and was estimated to kill more than 1,800 in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast.
Florida is the most hurricane vulnerable state in the nation. Since 1900, 67 hurricanes have struck the state, 29 of them major. Texas is closest behind with 40 hurricanes, 17 major.
Scientists say hurricane activity rises and falls based on a natural cycle of warm waters ebbing and flowing into the tropical regions where hurricanes frequently are spawned. These cycles, or eras, can last 20 to 30 years. However, in recent years, a growing number of scientists say global warming has increased the number of major hurricanes each year, as well as increased their intensity.
The storm seasons spanning 1995-2005 comprised the most active 10 consecutive hurricane years on record. Hurricanes are born out of low-pressure areas called tropical waves. In the Atlantic basin, these waves are frequently created by the heat of the North African desert. The waves feed off warm ocean waters. Thunderstorms develop and a low-pressure center forms.
When the thunderstorm activity forms a closed circulation around a low-pressure center, the system is deemed to be a tropical depression. When the sustained winds reach 39 mph, the system becomes a tropical storm. When those winds reach 74 mph, it becomes a hurricane.
The strongest winds of a hurricane are usually found near the eye wall, or the circle of clouds around the center. The eye can be 10 to 30 miles in diameter. Generally, the stronger the hurricane, the smaller the eye.
While hurricanes most commonly form between June and November, the most powerful hurricanes are spawned near the Cape Verde Islands between mid August and the end of September. Officially, the hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.
When a hurricane is a Category 3, 4 or 5 it is considered a major - or intense - hurricane. Since 1925, hurricanes have caused almost $5 billion in damage per year on average in the United States. Major hurricanes account for more than 80 percent of the damage and strike the United States every 1.3 years on average.
Storm surge, a steady rise of sea waters above tide levels, is the most deadly aspect of hurricanes, as it can result in severe flooding and battering waves. Inland flooding also has proven to be a prolific killer. Yet, many people die in the aftermath of storms from downed electrical wires, water-covered ditches or falling objects such as trees.
Some of the most deadly U.S. hurricanes include:
-- The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 hit Galveston, Texas on Sept. 8, 1900 as a Category 4 system with an estimated death toll between 8,000 and 12,000;
-- The Great Florida Hurricane of 1928 hit near West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sept. 16, 1928 as a Category 4 with an estimated death toll of about 2,500, most of those around Lake Okeechobee;
-- And Hurricane Katrina hit southeast Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2005 as a Category 3 and was estimated to kill more than 1,800 in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast.
Florida is the most hurricane vulnerable state in the nation. Since 1900, 67 hurricanes have struck the state, 29 of them major. Texas is closest behind with 40 hurricanes, 17 major.
Scientists say hurricane activity rises and falls based on a natural cycle of warm waters ebbing and flowing into the tropical regions where hurricanes frequently are spawned. These cycles, or eras, can last 20 to 30 years. However, in recent years, a growing number of scientists say global warming has increased the number of major hurricanes each year, as well as increased their intensity.
The storm seasons spanning 1995-2005 comprised the most active 10 consecutive hurricane years on record. Hurricanes are born out of low-pressure areas called tropical waves. In the Atlantic basin, these waves are frequently created by the heat of the North African desert. The waves feed off warm ocean waters. Thunderstorms develop and a low-pressure center forms.
When the thunderstorm activity forms a closed circulation around a low-pressure center, the system is deemed to be a tropical depression. When the sustained winds reach 39 mph, the system becomes a tropical storm. When those winds reach 74 mph, it becomes a hurricane.
The strongest winds of a hurricane are usually found near the eye wall, or the circle of clouds around the center. The eye can be 10 to 30 miles in diameter. Generally, the stronger the hurricane, the smaller the eye.
While hurricanes most commonly form between June and November, the most powerful hurricanes are spawned near the Cape Verde Islands between mid August and the end of September. Officially, the hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.
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New models to aid hurricane-evacuation planning
Press ReleaseResearchers are developing detailed models to predict how populations behave during hurricane evacuations to better plan for the disasters. The models will be used by public policymakers to improve how evacuations are carried out, said Satish Ukkusuri,...Tags: Engineering, Entertainment, Arts and Culture, Disasters, Mergers, Acquisitions and Takeovers
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Hurricane Activity to Storms at Home
Two big stories in the weather world today... the possible storms late tonight in Central Indiana AND tropical activity in the Gulf of Mexico. First, let's break down what's happening here at home.
A slow moving cold front is approaching northern...Tags: Weather Reports, Disasters, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico, Natural Disasters
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Bill Clinton speaks at DePauw University Friday
Press ReleasePresident Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the 42nd President of the United States of America, will come to DePauw University on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Timothy and Sharon Ubben Lecture Series. Students,...Tags: Disasters, Culture, Politics, White House, Colleges and Universities
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Task Force One heads to east coast ahead of Irene
Members Indiana Task Force One headed to the east coast ahead of Hurricane Irene Friday afternoon.
They'll be standing by prepared to help FEMA when hurricane Irene arrives. They're specially trained to help teams in the field get equipment to rescue...Tags: Hurricane Irene (2011), Indiana, FEMA, Disasters, Disasters and Accidents
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Hoosiers with Red Cross head to East Coast to assist Hurricane Irene evacuees
The East Coast is preparing for Hurricane Irene, which is expected to hit the area sometime on Saturday. The hurricane’s current path is heading toward North Carolina and then expected to move toward New Jersey by midnight Monday.
Some...Tags: Hurricane Irene (2011), Disasters, Human Interest, American Red Cross, North Carolina
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Hurricane Irene already wreaking havoc on air travel
Hurricane Irene hasn't made landfall yet and it's already wreaking havoc on air travel along the East Coast. Many airlines have already begun cutting flights planned for the weekend. Almost all of the major carriers are also offering to waive fees for...Tags: Hurricane Irene (2011), Indiana, Transportation, Disasters, Air Transportation Delays
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Hurricane Irene impacts blood supplies, Red Cross urges donations
Hurricane Irene is shaping up to become a large flooding operation for the American Red Cross. This includes ensuring there is a sufficient blood supply for the constant need as well as any special needs caused the by the disaster. The storm has...Tags: Hurricane Irene (2011), Human Body, Disasters, Human Interest, American Red Cross
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Colts keep fondess for New Orleans in perspective
IndySportsNationIf they had not won the AFC Championship and were not about to play in Super Bowl XLIV, many Indianapolis Colts players would be rooting for the New Orleans Saints to win the big game on February 7th in Miami. Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai and Reggie Wayne...Tags: New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl, Meteorological Disasters, Indianapolis Colts, Disasters
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Brees, New Orleans reach Super Bowl pinnacle together
IndySportsNationThe sad thing is, he might not remember a thing. Sitting on the podium at the middle of Sun Life Stadium, a one year-old boy was shown with headphones affixed to his ears, while his eyes and his mouth were wide open as the confetti fluttered in the...Tags: Meteorological Disasters, Super Bowl, Disasters, Hurricane Katrina (2005), Sports
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Super Bowl XLIV loyalties are complex for Archie Manning
IndySportsNationFor a two weeks, media from around the country and the globe have been trying to solve the riddle of Peyton Manning. His complex line of scrimmage calls and audibles, his quick reactions when looking for receivers, pinpoint throws and his knack to...Tags: John Madden, New Orleans Saints, Meteorological Disasters, Super Bowl, Disasters
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It's race against time to save Ike stalwarts
GALVESTON, Texas - Rescue crews canvassed neighborhoods inundated by Ike's storm surge early Sunday morning, racing against time to save those who spent a second harrowing night trapped amid flattened houses, strewn debris and downed power lines. One...Tags: Rick Perry, Meteorological Disasters, Disasters, Hurricane Katrina (2005), Houston
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Hanna rakes Carolinas with rain, wind, some floods
Tropical Storm Hanna blew hard and dumped rain in eastern North Carolina and Virginia Saturday, but caused little damage beyond isolated flooding and power outages as it quickly headed north toward New England. Hanna sailed easily over the beaches of...Tags: Emergency Planning, Meteorological Disasters, Disasters, Tropical Storm Hanna (2008), Pennsylvania
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