Transcript of Occupation

Everyone dreads the hurricane season. When that time of year comes around,

we all lock down and get ready for the harsh winds and power outages. The

2004 season started out with a bang. Large parts of the coast were torn apart as

storms rolled in, one after another.

Causes of Hurricanes

Hurricanes form when weather patterns of different temperatures run into

each other and start spinning. When a cold front out in the ocean, moving in one

direction, comes in contact with a warm front moving in the opposite direction,

winds start. These winds start moving in circular motions. As they spin, they pick

up speed. These large areas of fast-moving winds generate tornadoes that pull

water up into the storm. Hurricanes have high winds with tornadoes and carry

large amounts of water.

When it starts, the storm is classified as a tropical depression. As it becomes

stronger, it is called a tropical storm. If the wind speeds get high enough, the

tropical storm is categorized as a hurricane.

Effects of Hurricanes: Damage to Property

When the storm hits land, it dumps all its water, and that is when it becomes

the most destructive. Some of the water soaks into the ground, but often there

is more water than the land can absorb. As a result, the water quickly runs off to

lower areas. These run-offs are called flash floods. Flash floods can wash away

land and possessions or destroy them by filling them with water. At the same

time, hurricane winds can blow over trees and power lines. With the power out,

repairs are hard to make quickly. This means power can be out for a week or lon-

ger. Hurricanes also bring lightning, which can cause fires in trees or houses.

Effects