What
are Hurricanes?
Some storms
develop only in the areas near the equator. These areas are
called the Tropics. These tropical storms are known by
different names around the world. In North America and the
Caribbean, they are called hurricanes.
In Asia, hurricanes are called typhoons
or cyclones.
All hurricanes are given names. Each year meteorologists
make a list of names in alphabetical order to use for the
year's hurricanes
Hurricanes are
powerful, whirling storms that begin over warm oceans. To be
named a hurricane the wind speed must be at least 177.5 km/h
and can reach 241km/h. Hurricanes are some of the most
disastrous forms of weather. As the hurricane moves towards
land, they create great waves that can wash away boats,
docks and beaches. They fierce winds can uproot trees and
destroy buildings..
How
are Hurricanes caused?
Above tropical
bodies of water the air rises because it is given heat from
the sea. On its way up, the air rotates, creating a section
of low pressure named "The Eye of the Storm." The Eye,
unlike the rest of the storm, is relatively calm. Although
the winds inside the hurricane travel extremely fast, the
hurricane itself only travels a slow speed of
20-25mph.
How
do I prepare for a Hurricane?
There are many
things you can do to prepare for a hurricane.
- Listen to
the radio for storm warnings.
- Designate
a place for your family to meet in case of a
hurricane.
- Bring all
of your outside furniture inside the house.
- Help an
adult to shut off your utilities-electricity, water
etc.
- Make sure
that your car is full up with gas so that you are ready
to leave immediately.
- If there
is no need to evacuate, make sure that you stay inside or
you might get hit by flying objects.
Sources:
http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-70-77/disasters_tragedies_extreme_weather/huricane_hazel/
http://www.FEMAforkids.com
 Authors:
The Hurricane Team
from Japan and Canada
created the pages in this section
Shannon, Allie, Maximillian , Sam, Yu
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