When a storm approaches, the best protection is to be prepared.
Prevention is better than cure, hence we should always be prepared for the worst.
If you are living in Florida, you should consider your self fortunate. We get sunshine all year round. However, like most things in life, there is a price to pay for all that beautiful weather. Storms can be a threat but with some good and common sense and good protection you can be better prepared and minimize damages from a storm.
Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that are generated in the sea due to the pressure difference between two masses. This makes high velocity winds to enter the landmass and as a result properties are ripped apart. Hurricane storms are often accompanied by high whirl counter clockwise winds and thunder storms. The maximum damage is done by these when it sucks up debris all along its path and simultaneously it is flung. With some hurricanes, even trees and small vehicles get sucked up and then sent flying.
Hurricanes form in four stages. The first stage is called the tropical disturbance stage. In this stage moist air from the ground rises and forms rain clouds.
The next stage is the formation of low pressure thunderstorm winds and is called the tropical depression stage.
If the above stage lasts longer topical storms begin to form with a speed averaging 38miles per hour. Here is when rough seas are generated.
If pressure differences still exist the circulation of winds fastens with speeds increasing to around 74 miles per hour. These storm clouds have a definitive eye and eye wall. This is what is known as a hurricane.
STORM SURGE – When hurricanes build in the middle of the sea, as they usually do, the water is pushed towards the shores. The high velocity winds with the extra pressure surges up waves and normal tides are converted into high ones. This pushing of tides towards the shores also rises up the water level and sometimes this may mount to even 15 feet.INLAND FLOODING – With increase in the tides levels along the shore the sea enters the landmass up to long extents sometimes. This causes inland flooding. In the United States, this has been the reason of more than half of the deaths during the tropical cyclone season.
HIGH WINDS – Hurricane winds have been recorded to uproot big trees and destroy poorly constructed buildings. Road signs, roof materials, and other things left outside are sucked up by the wind and become missiles as they are flung as debris all along the way.
TORNADOES – high velocity hurricanes can produce tornados and this adds to the storm’s power. A tornado is more likely to get developed in the right frontal quad of the storm.
