Hurricanes In FloridaHurricanes In Florida

Ryan MartinRyan Martin

Background InformationBackground Information• More hurricanes hit Florida then any More hurricanes hit Florida then any

other stateother state• Hurricane season begins June 1Hurricane season begins June 1stst, and , and

ends November 30ends November 30thth • Over $150 billion in damage has Over $150 billion in damage has

been caused since the 1850sbeen caused since the 1850s

What a Hurricane isWhat a Hurricane is• A huge storm that can cover over 600 miles that A huge storm that can cover over 600 miles that

can have winds from 75 mph to 200 mphcan have winds from 75 mph to 200 mph• Usually last over a week, covering 10-20 miles Usually last over a week, covering 10-20 miles

per day over the oceanper day over the ocean• They rotate in a counter-clockwise direction They rotate in a counter-clockwise direction

around an “eye”. The eye is the center part of the around an “eye”. The eye is the center part of the storm and is usually the calmest. storm and is usually the calmest.

• When they come onto land, the heavy rain, When they come onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds, and large waves can cause damage strong winds, and large waves can cause damage to buildings, trees, homes, and cars.to buildings, trees, homes, and cars.

How Hurricanes FormHow Hurricanes Form• Only form in ocean water that is 80 degrees or Only form in ocean water that is 80 degrees or

warmer.warmer.• The air must cool off quickly the higher you go. The air must cool off quickly the higher you go. • The wind must be blowing in the same direction The wind must be blowing in the same direction

and at the same speed to force air upward from and at the same speed to force air upward from the ocean surface.the ocean surface.

• Winds must flow outward above the storm Winds must flow outward above the storm allowing the air to rise. allowing the air to rise.

How hurricanes are namedHow hurricanes are named• From 1950-1952, tropical storms were From 1950-1952, tropical storms were

identified by the phonetic alphabetidentified by the phonetic alphabet• In 1953, the US Weather Bureau switched In 1953, the US Weather Bureau switched

to women’s names. This was used until to women’s names. This was used until 1979, when it was used to include 1979, when it was used to include alternate lists of men’s names as well.alternate lists of men’s names as well.

• There are six different lists of names that There are six different lists of names that rotate every year. rotate every year.

• If a hurricane does significant damage, If a hurricane does significant damage, that hurricanes name is retired and placed that hurricanes name is retired and placed with another.with another.

Hurricane StagesHurricane Stages• Tropical Wave:Tropical Wave: A low pressure trough moving generally A low pressure trough moving generally

westward with the trade winds.westward with the trade winds.• Tropical Disturbance:Tropical Disturbance: An organized area of thunderstorms An organized area of thunderstorms

that usually forms in the tropics. Typically, they maintain their that usually forms in the tropics. Typically, they maintain their identity for 24 hours and are accompanied by heavy rains and identity for 24 hours and are accompanied by heavy rains and gusty winds.gusty winds.

• Tropical Cyclone:Tropical Cyclone: A generic term for any organized low A generic term for any organized low pressure that develops over tropical and sometimes sub-pressure that develops over tropical and sometimes sub-tropical waters. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, and tropical waters. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes are all example of tropical cyclones.hurricanes are all example of tropical cyclones.

• Tropical Depression:Tropical Depression: An organized area of low pressure in An organized area of low pressure in which sustained winds are 38 mph or less.which sustained winds are 38 mph or less.

• Tropical Storm:Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained wind speeds that range from 39 to 73 mph.wind speeds that range from 39 to 73 mph.

• Hurricane:Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.74 mph.

Hurricane CategoriesHurricane Categories

Hurricane LingoHurricane Lingo• TROPICAL STORM WATCHTROPICAL STORM WATCH - Tropical Storm conditions with sustained winds - Tropical Storm conditions with sustained winds

from 39 -74 mph are possible in your area within the next 36 hours. from 39 -74 mph are possible in your area within the next 36 hours. • TROPICAL STORM WARNINGTROPICAL STORM WARNING - Tropical Storm conditions are expected in - Tropical Storm conditions are expected in

your area within the next 24 hours.your area within the next 24 hours.• HURRICANE WATCHHURRICANE WATCH - Hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph - Hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph

or greater are possible in your area within the next 36 hours. This WATCH or greater are possible in your area within the next 36 hours. This WATCH should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated. Especially, those actions that require extra time such as securing a initiated. Especially, those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat and leaving a barrier island.boat and leaving a barrier island.

• HURRICANE WARNINGHURRICANE WARNING - Hurricane conditions are expected in your area - Hurricane conditions are expected in your area within 24 hours. Once this WARNING has been issued, your family should be in within 24 hours. Once this WARNING has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.to be during the storm.

• COASTAL FLOOD WATCHCOASTAL FLOOD WATCH - The possibility exists for the inundation of land - The possibility exists for the inundation of land areas along the coast within the next 12 to 36 hours.areas along the coast within the next 12 to 36 hours.

• COASTAL FLOOD WARNINGCOASTAL FLOOD WARNING - Land areas along the coast are expected to - Land areas along the coast are expected to become, or have become, inundated by sea water above the typical tide become, or have become, inundated by sea water above the typical tide action.action.

• SMALL CRAFT ADVISORYSMALL CRAFT ADVISORY - A small craft advisory is a type of warning issued - A small craft advisory is a type of warning issued by the National Weather Service, most frequently in coastal areas. It is issued by the National Weather Service, most frequently in coastal areas. It is issued when winds have reached, or are expected to reach within 12 hours, a speed when winds have reached, or are expected to reach within 12 hours, a speed marginally less than that which is considered gale force, usually 25-38 mph.marginally less than that which is considered gale force, usually 25-38 mph.

Hurricane Wilma, 2005Hurricane Wilma, 2005• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-

JuQDsDJZ-IJuQDsDJZ-I

References References • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Flhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fl

orida_hurricanesorida_hurricanes• http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weathttp://www.weatherwizkids.com/weat

her-hurricane.htmher-hurricane.htm• http://weather.weatherbug.com/hurrihttp://weather.weatherbug.com/hurri

canes/hurricane-facts.htmlcanes/hurricane-facts.html