Hurricanes Essay, Research Paper

Hurricane, name applied to migratory tropical cyclones that originate over oceans in certain regions near the equator, and particularly to those arising in the West Indian region, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane-type cyclones in the western Pacific are known as typhoons. Hurricanes are high winds that move in a circular motion, around an eye (a low pressure center of a storm). The diameter of the area affected by winds of destructive force may exceed 150 mi. Gale winds prevail over a larger area, averaging 300 mi in diameter. The strength of a hurricane is rated from 1 to 5. Obviously 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest strength. Hurricanes sometimes produce over 250 mm (10 in) of rain and lead to extensive flooding. Which in turn can cause another problem in its self.

The places that are most often hit with tornados are: Antigua, Bermuda, Central America, Charleston, SC, Galveston, TX, Miami, Providence, RI, Santo Domingo, Asia, Honduras, Oceania, United States, and the West Indies.

Florida has to contend with the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Hurricane Andrew swept through southern Florida in August 1992, just south of Miami, leaving 41 people dead, making more than 200,000 homeless, and doing about $20 billion worth of property damage. In August 1995 Hurricane Erin crossed Florida along the same path, then turned and swept through the panhandle, causing an estimated $360 million in damage. The panhandle was pounded again later in 1995 by Hurricane Opal, which caused damage of $2.1 billion. A series of tornadoes hit the central part of the state in February 1998, claiming 42 lives. That is just one case in particular. All over the world the same story happens over and over. What is so sad is that in the 3rd world countries, there is little to no protection and many more lives are lost. Such as in 1998, Hurricane Mitch devastated Honduras, killing between 5,600 and 7,000 people. It also swept away 70 percent of their crops and cost billions of dollars to put the nation back together.

Right now there are people trying to prevent hurricanes. At the present it is impossible to prevent them, but with early detection many lives have been saved. Tracking storms at sea and on the Great Lakes is the province of the marine meteorological service. A closely related function is performed by observation centers in the Tropics, which, as part of the hurricane and storm-warning service, issue advice and warnings from June through October, the critical hurricane season.

Hurricanes are an enormous danger to all people in all countries. Many will die, buildings will fall, and nation ruined, until we can do something about them. Until we can take cover and run.