1 of 12

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

boats in unprotected moorings.

3. 111-130 mph sustained winds produce 9-12 foot sea surges, with structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding will be common near the coast with terrain flooded well inland.

4. 131-155 mph sustained winds with 12-18 foot high sea surges. Extensive damage can be seen on structures with small residences losing their roves. Major flooding will cause erosion of beach areas. Inland will begin to flood extensively.

5. 155+ mph sustained winds with 18+ foot sea surges. Roofs will be torn off of residences and industrial buildings. Small buildings will be blown away and complete building failures will be evident. Flooding will cause major damage to all houses that remain near the shoreline. Massage evacuation will most likely be enforced.

Once the afore mentioned ingredients gather, the time is right for the hurricane to develop. Though hurricane season is from June to November, hurricanes can develop anytime the weather is warm enough. Once the winds converge and begin to rotate around an area of disturbed weather a tropical disturbance is born. If the wind speed reaches 39 mph, the storm is upgraded to a tropical depression. Once it reaches 39-74 mph, it is again upgraded to a tropical storm and is named. If sustained winds are above 74 mph, the system is officially called a hurricane. Once the above circumstances are met and maintained, the intensity of the storm will remain constant or even intensify.

The average life span of a hurricane is 9 days, but it can run through all of the above in less than a day or sustain it for numerous days. Tropical Cyclone Ginger was the longest recorded hurricane, lasting 31 days from September 5th, to October 5th, 1971.

Once the hurricane has reached its full force, many side effects are brought into play. High winds, and torrential rain are the most common effects of the storm. Until the warm source of water is taken away, the hurricane can continue to produce these effects. Once on land a storm can slowly fizzle out, but often will continue as a large thunderstorm with rain and wind.

Hurricanes have brought large cities to a standstill. Nothing can be done to stop the force, and only preparing for disaster will not be sufficient. One must be able to understand the strength of the hurricane and be awed by it. The life cycle of a hurricane is large by storm standards and is perhaps one of the most dangerous natural phenomenons on the earth today.

Learn more about this author, Meg A Wright.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about The life cycle of a hurricane?
We want to hear your view. Write now!