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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2008 Atlantic hurricane season sets records
Maryland WeatherThe 2008 Atlantic hurricane season won't end officially until Sunday, but meteorologists are already taking stock of what turned out to be one of the most active seasons in the 64 years since 'comprehensive' record-keeping began. That's Ike in the...Tags: Tropical Weather, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Disasters, Natural Disasters, Meteorological Disasters
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Snakes, gators and red tape: FEMA criticized over handling of Hurricane Ike cleanup in Texas
Associated Press WriterSMITH POINT, Texas (AP) _ A 30-mile scar of debris along the Texas coast stands as a festering testament to what state and local officials say is FEMA's sluggish response to the 2008 hurricane season. Two and a half months after Hurricane Ike blasted the...Tags: Hurricane Preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Judges, Natural Disasters, Executive Branch
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Bush: Iraq war 'a do-over I can't do'
The Swampby Mark Silva President Bush, who has occasionally lamented that he regrets some of the tough talk he uttered in the war on terror - terms such as "dead or alive'' or "bring 'em on'' - also allows that the......Tags: George Washington, History, Heads of State, 2009 U.S. Presidential Transition, Defense Equipment
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Niedermayer scores twice in Ducks' 4-1 victory over Hurricanes
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) _ Rob Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne scored in a 1:09 span of the third period, and Niedermayer added another goal to help the Anaheim Ducks beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 on Sunday night. The Ducks, 13-3-3 since a 3-1 loss to...Tags: Teemu Selanne, Rob Niedermayer, Ryan Getzlaf, Disasters, Natural Disasters
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Panthers shut out Rangers 4-0
Stephen Weiss and Gregory Campbell scored 12 seconds apart in the second period and Craig Anderson made 37 saves for his sixth NHL shutout to lift the visiting Florida Panthers to a 4-0 victory over the New York Rangers on Sunday. With Florida leading 1-...Tags: Mike Modano, Teemu Selanne, Rob Niedermayer, Edmonton Oilers, Natural Disasters
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Grambling tops Southern to reach SWAC title game
From Sun news servicesGreg Dillon accounted for 287 yards and two touchdowns, and Grambling State clinched a spot in the Southwestern Athletic Conference title game with a 29-14 victory over Southern in the Bayou Classic yesterday in New Orleans. Dillon was 9-for-13 for 151...Tags: Rivers, Bodies of Water, Disasters, Natural Disasters, Meteorological Disasters
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Liberty advances to semifinals
The Morning CallThe Liberty Hurricanes beat Philadelphia's George Washington this afternoon and will play the North Penn Knights in the PIAA semifinals next weekend. The Hurricanes dominated the game, which was played in Philadelphia, shutting out the Washington...Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, Natural Disasters, Disasters, Meteorological Disasters
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Tropical Storn Fay led unrelenting barrage of storms
Sentinel Staff WriterFor Central Florida, the worst part of the 2008 hurricane season wasn't even a hurricane. Tropical Storm Fay drenched the region in late August, causing nearly $80 million in damages. Even today -- the last day of the official hurricane season -- some...Tags: Tropical Storm Hanna, Hurricane Preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fort Lauderdale, Weather Reports
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2008 Hurricane season comes to end
The Associated PressSunday marks the final official day of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. This year's season saw 16 named storms, eight of which were hurricanes. Five of those hurricanes reached Category 3 strength or higher. State officials say the most devastating...Tags: Natural Disasters, Tropical Storms, Disasters, Meteorological Disasters
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2008 hurricane season brought a few close calls for South Florida
South Florida Sun-SentinelHow best to describe the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season? In a word: Whew! For the third year in a row, South Florida escaped feeling the wrath of a hurricane yet had a number of close calls. Hurricane Ike threatened to strike as a Category 4 monster...Tags: Hurricane Preparedness, Hurricane Damage, Hurricane Dolly, Natural Disasters, Tropical Weather
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