Hurricanes+in+the+USA

Hurricanes in the U.S.A -Sam Hansford //**How hurricanes start:**//

In order for a cyclone or hurricane to occur, certain conditions must be met. A cyclone can only start over the ocean and the water has to be at least 26.5 degrees celsius. The water vapour gets absorbed by the air and the warm moist air starts to rise. If a cyclone is to be created the winds need to be about the same speed and direction on multiple altitudes. If the air suddenly changes the column of warm, moist, rising air will be knocked over and the cyclone cancelled out.

As more warm air is drawn in, the storm picks up speed and becomes more powerfull. When the speed reaches 61km/h it is classified as a tropical storm. At this time there is a clear circular shape to the storm and column of calm, warm air in the centre of the storm. It is at the 'tropical storm' stage that meteorologists can name the storm. Once wind speeds reach 74km/h, the storm is classified as a hurricane.


 * //Dangers of hurricanes://**

The most obvious dangers that come from hurricanes are the intense winds, with speeds exceeding 100km/h houses and buildings can be pulled from the ground into the funnel of wind. While that may be the most obvious type of damage, it isn't the worst. Hurricanes bring with them: intense rain and this causes flooding and landslides. The debris sucked into the hurricane is also launched in all directions at high speeds. The worst effect caused by a hurricane is a storm surge. These occur when hurricanes stur up the ocean and sea water is moved on shore by the hurricane, majorly flooding everything along the coastline.

Hurricanes can have disasterous effects on natural environments as well as cities and towns. Concidering that houses can be torn apart by hurricanes, trees and plants don't stand much chance in surviving if a hurricane passes through. Forests and jungles can be cleared, leaving animals homeless and ecosystems destroyed.


 * //Where hurricanes occur://**

Naturally hurricanes occure inbetween the tropics of cancer and capricorn. The ocean in this area is very warm and it goes over 26.5 degrees celsius very often which not many other oceans do. It alos goes over the equator, so pressure systems from all over the world pass through this area. The tropics of cancer and capricorn cover northern South America, southern America, Africa, southern Asia, and northern Australia.


 * //Surviving a hurricane://**

The first precation taken if a hurricane is definitely coming is evacuate if needed to. If the town under danger near the coast or often flooded, then evacuation can be expected. If a person is going to stay and protect their home, then there are certain things they should do and prepare for if they want to survive. To protect the house itself, all places that could let wind in need to be covered and reinforced. This will stop the wind from entering the house and being able to pull the roof off. The five most important parts of the house to reinforce are the rooves, where the wall meets the roof, windows, doors and garages.

Rooves can be strengthened by connecting metal or wood bracers to roof and then anchoring the bracers to the ground.

Straps are the easiest way to protectc the area where the wall meets the roof. Straps are metla bands that can be connected to the wall and roof. These straps are strong enough in numbers to hold the roof and walls together.

To reinforce large windows or glass doors impact-shutters are the most effective way. These are metal doors that are designed to be placed infront of glass surfaces and absorb the shock from any debris that may come flying by.

Front entry doors can be protected quiet easily by a few bolt locks. A dead lock is alos advised to be attached to the door.

The garage door can be saved with a few vertical and horizontal bracers. Attach these bracers onto the inside of the door to make a sort of grid shape. This will protect the door incase any large debris hits it.

It is important to also prepare some essentials in a survival kit. In this kit there would need to be water, food, clothes, medication, first aid kit, phones, torches, toiletires, radio, keys, money and possibly fuel.

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