2. Overview
• This module will help you to understand about
hurricanes. You will:
• Define what hurricanes are
• Look at physical forces and the damage
• Effects on humans
• And, examine an overview of preparation.
• Finally, you will learn from a brief self-test.
• Enjoy your learning and welcome!
3. Menu
• Hurricanes defined
• Hurricane physical disasters
• Effects on humans
• Hurricane preparation
• Self test
4. Hurricanes Defined
A tropical cyclone classifications:
Tropical depression max winds > 38 mph
Tropical storm winds 39-73mph
Hurricane: An intense tropical weather system of
strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface
circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph
or higher
Season: June 1-November 30
www.floridadisaster.org
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6. Hurricanes defined
Saffir-Simpson Scale & Example
TS 39-73 mph Alberto 1995
CAT 1 74-95 mph Irene 1999
CAT 2 96-110 mph George 1998 Classification
CAT 3 111-130 mph Opal 1995 Categories
CAT 4 131-155 mph Donna 1960
CAT 5 155+ mph Labor Day 1935
http://floridadisaster.org
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7. Hurricanes defined
World locations according to
category
http://discovermagazine.com/2007/sep/map-where-do-hurricanes-do-the-most-damage/
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8. Hurricanes defined
The birth of a hurricane
Begin as tropical storms over warm moist waters
Moisture rises heated air is twisted in the atmosphere
Winds circle counterclockwise north of equator,
clockwise south of the equator.
The peaceful center is called the eye.
Around the center winds move 74-200+ miles an hour
Moving over waters 79 degrees F causes hurricanes to
grow.
Over land and cooler waters hurricanes lose power.
Near Philippines and China sea hurricanes are
www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/sevweath/swhoware
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9. Hurricanes defined
Locations of typhoons vs. hurricanes
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/hurricanes/
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10. Hurricane physical disasters
Storm Surge: is water that is pushed toward
the shore by the force of the winds swirling
around the storm. This advancing surge
combines with the normal tides to create the
hurricane storm tide, which can increase the
mean water level 15 ft. or more.
Http://floridadisaster.org
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11. Hurricane physical disasters
Storm surges cause greatest potential loss of life 9 of 10
victims
http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/prepare/surge
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13. Hurricane physical disasters
In the last 30 years, inland flooding has been
responsible for more than half the deaths
associated with tropical storms in the United
States
http://www.floridadisaster.org
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14. Hurricane physical disasters
• Hurricanes can produce tornadoes
• Tornados most likely to occur in the right-front
quadrant of the hurricane
• May also be found embedded in the rain bands
• Tornado watch/warnings issued in addition to
hurricane updates
www.floridadisaster.org
www.hurricanewarning.net/tornados
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17. Hurricane physical disasters
/
Image 1: Hurricane Andrew. www.ihc.fiu.edu/about_us/hurricane_hazards.htm
Image 2: Close-up of 1 x 4 board driven through the trunk of a royal palm (NOAA)
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19. Hurricane physical disasters
Counter clock wise winds
http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/weather/hurricanes/2006/10/23/1044515/hurricane_diagram-450x245.jpg
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20. Effects on humans
Stress Responses
Anxiety Disorders
Coping by Helping Others
Fear
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21. Effects on Humans
Children are affected every where
“We are really sad and hope this makes you feel better, said student Jackie Cantor”.
www.nbc5.com/news5/4914228/detail.html
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22. Effects on humans
Dissociation (feeling unreal, outside self)
Re-experiencing, nightmares, flashbacks
Avoidance/substance abuse
Emotional numbing
Hyper-arousal
Severe anxiety and or depression
Loss of hope self worth motivation purpose
(National Center for PTSD 2003).
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23. Effects on humans
Anxiety Disorders Post Trauma, A Comparison of Symptoms Onset
Disorder Onset Post Event
Acute Catastrophic Stress Disorder Few hours to days
(ACSD)
Worry, insomnia, heightened startle
response, difficulty concentrating and
coping with work
Acute Stress disorder (ASD) Four weeks or more
Nightmares, flashbacks, hyper
vigilance, avoidance, loss of interest,
intrusive thoughts.
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24. Effects on humans
Post traumatic stress Three months to years
disorder (PTSD)
Symptoms present for at *Adapted from: APA (2000)
least one month: Re- The Diagnostic and
experiencing trauma, by Statistical Manual of Mental
nightmare, flashback, Disorders, IV-R
avoidance, sleep
disturbance, irritability, poor
concentration, startle
reaction, regressive behavior.
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25. Effects on humans
Stress related events
(North et al 2000)
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27. Effects on humans
Jim, refuses to leave.
www.nola.com/hurricane/photos
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28. Hurricane preparation
What can you do to prepare?
Action Checklist
Stay or Leave?
• Leave if:
• Local authorities recommend/mandate
• Live on coastline or off shore
• Live in a floodplain/near river
• Live in a mobile home
www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib.action
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29. Hurricane preparation
• Pre-plan evacuation route/meeting place
• Have disaster supplies on hand
• Make arrangements for pets
• Instruct family members
• Protect windows
• Develop an emergency communication plan.
http://life.familyeducation.com/hurricane/emergency/34259.html
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30. Hurricane preparation
Example Good Plan Example Poor Plan/No plan
Alabama DOT New Orleans
Evacuation Route ID Eleventh hour decisions
Reversing lanes Poor/no sheltering
Emergency vehicle access Poor co-ordination
Manpower Vertical evacuation
Traffic control No Red Cross
Sequence of events Lane reversal late
Public info/sheltering Public info late/confusion
www.dot.state.al http://abcnews.go.cwire/US/a
p20040919606
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31. Preparation Essential
Hurricane Ivan:
Category 4
Extended 520 miles
Winds up to 160 mph
If hit New Orleans:
Under 20 feet of water
Chemical pollution
1.2 million people live in Metro
New Orleans
Red Cross will not enter New
Orleans
May cease to exist
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/Ivan_indid_out.html
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32. Self Test
Read the following multiple choice carefully.
Choose only one correct answer
Good Luck!
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33. Question 1
Some of the physical damages of hurricanes are:
A. Storm surges
B. Flooding
C. Damaging winds
D. All of the above
36. Question 2
For hurricanes to form they need:
A. Cool and dry waters
B. Warm moist waters
C. Winter like weather
D. Nothing special, they are random.
39. Question 3
An effect on humans after a hurricane can be:
A. Nothing, humans cope fine.
B. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Night-blindness
41. Go
Back!
http://tamunews.tamu.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2010/10/hurricane-eye.jpg
42. Question 4
What is most important to prepare for a
hurricane?
A. Duck and hide
B. Pre-plan, communicate with family, listen to warnings
C. Ride it out
D. Wait until you see the hurricane’s eye.