Hurricane Hazards In Depth

Strong Winds

  • 157 mph in Category 5 storms
  • not as fast as tornadoes, but much more widespread
  • wind velocities are higher on the “right side” of the cyclone
    • speed of storm and wind speed
    • highest storms surges also occur along the right side

Storm Surge/Flood/High Waves

  • ocean water pushed towards the shore by strong winds (95% of surge)
    • rough, turbulent waves
    • especially close to and on the right side of the eyewall
  • eye is a low-pressure zone; seawater builds up (5% of surge)
  • especially bad if it coincides with the high tide
    • water level increased by up to 30 feet
  • water moves inland which leads to flooding
  • Hurricane Katrina (category 5) in Gulfport, MS (August, 29, 2005)
    • peak surge estimated at 28 feet in this location
  • 59% of deaths in the US related to hurricanes from 1970-1999 were due to inland flooding
    • related to storm surge and heavy rainfall

Heavy Rainfall

  • often after passage of the hurricane
  • dying hurricane holds massive volumes of water
  • causes inland flooding
  • can be caused by low-intensity hurricanes (like a Category 1) or tropical storms

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