When categorizing hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons scientists had to find a way to identify the different levels of intensity in regards to damage and severity.  Based upon the maximum wind speeds and storm surge, a hurricane scale was created, which ranges from Level One to Level Five.  The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale was created to monitor [...]

Much has been written about what to do before a hurricane makes landfall in your area.  Undoubtedly you have received leaflets that outline the various emergency preparedness procedures you need to take before June 1st hits, and perhaps you have already followed all this advice. Your flood insurance policy is in place and paid up, [...]

Along the coastal regions of the United States, just as it is the case along the coastal regions of any country, one of the major industries relies heavily on maritime access.  Whether it is the fishing industry, maritime tourism, or simply recreational water use, much of a city’s economy – and thereby a state’s overall [...]

The modern world has introduced everyone to satellites to help people know of the existence of a tropical cyclone immediately.  Meteorologists work around the clock to constantly monitor storm systems as they move, issuing hurricane watches and warnings with adequate time for the public to prepare.  Meteorologists and the public also rely on Hurricane Hunters [...]

Hurricanes vary widely in size, location, and damage.  Some storms are very compact and only have a few bands of winds and rain behind them, while other storms are looser, so the bands of wind and rain spread out over hundreds or thousands of miles.  There are four weather alerts for both hurricanes and tropical [...]

Hurricanes are serious business in more ways than one. Of course, the highest cost that is being paid is that of human life.  Yet something that is very often overlooked when talking about hurricanes is the cost that is levied upon the governmental agencies that direct the clean up procedures, the housing of affected residents, [...]

As you probably know, many of the fatalities that are associated with hurricanes have to do with the drowning deaths of those who are caught up in the storm surge or its aftermath. Yet did you know about the freaky power of hurricane winds? These high winds may reach up to 160 miles per hour [...]

Hurricanes are the strongest of the windy and circulating storms, and are often called cyclones.  They are prominent in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans and in the western Pacific they are referred to as typhoons.  Most Atlantic hurricanes are born in the southern Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa, in the months of [...]

When discussing hurricanes, very frequently the term “eye of the storm” comes into play.  For those who are not intimately familiar with these destructive forces of nature, this terminology might mean very little. As a matter of fact, even those who live in the parts of the country where hurricanes are a given, sometimes find [...]

When a hurricane threatens their area, boat owners have a lot of decisions to make about how to get their watercrafts through the storm. If you keep your boat in a marina which allows boat to remain during hurricanes or have access to your own dock, you may choose to leave your boat at the [...]