...Hurricanes versus Tornadoes Hurricanes and tornadoes are considered to be natural storms that develop do to the atmosphere change, however, each type of storm is a disaster and devastation claiming many lives among family and friends each year. One storm comes from in the water, the second type is from the air. Aside from where they come from, each type of storm is devastation to several individuals from enormous amounts of damage each can cause to someone’s lifestyle or homestead. Knowing the differences and similarities of both need to be understood better among everyone. Determining factors whether a severe storm is either a hurricane or tornado include their types of formulation, types of severe weather they create, and types of damage. A difference among a hurricane or tornado would be where and how their formulation develops. Hurricanes are one severe storm that forms over water. Meaning, hurricanes are formed off seas. In order for a hurricane to form, the temperature of the water must be warm in order for a storm to formulate. Whereas, a tornado is another severe storm that the formulation is completely different. Tornadoes are formulated over land. Tornadoes develope, by connection of high and low pressure systems. Therefore, with saying high and low pressure connecting, for example would be, warm air coming from the West and the cold air coming from the East would be connecting. Thus, hurricanes and tornadoes have different ways...
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...Thesis: Hurricanes and tornadoes are both dangerous systems that have potential to cause destruction I. Background A. Hurricanes 1. Different names B. Tornadoes 1. Tornado alley 2. Tornado drills II. Similarities A. Hurricanes 1. Wind 2. Categorized 3. Rain B. Tornadoes 1. Wind 2. Categorized 3. Rain III. Differences A. Tornadoes 1. Form on water 2. Named 3. Predicted early B. Hurricanes 1. Form on land 2. Predicted last minute IV. Differences A. Hurricanes 1. Can last for days B. Tornadoes 1. Last for couple minutes 2. Alerts Hurricanes vs Tornadoes Hurricanes and tornadoes are both dangerous systems that have potential to cause destruction. Many people confuse hurricanes and tornadoes and sometimes even think they are the same thing with different names. However, that is not true. They both share similar characteristics, but are completely different. Hurricanes are also known as cyclones, typhoons or tropical storms depending on where the storm started to form. Tropical storms that form in the Atlantic Ocean or Northeast Pacific, near the united states are called hurricanes. Those that form in the Northwest Pacific, near Japan are called typhoons and those that form in the South Pacific or Indian Oceans are called cyclones. Tornadoes form under certain weather conditions, when cold air and warm air meets which is normally in the fall and spring...
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...poverty level is at 22.8%. This will have a major effect on how Emergency Managers respond to a natural disaster and what kind of assistance will be needed. (Andalusia, Al) Annotated Bibliography http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes This website, set up by FEMA, informs individuals on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane strikes their area. There are also multiple choices the individual can make when visiting this website; how to build an emergency kit, defined terminology that forecasters may use, storm surge, Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, and various publications that will greatly educate the reader. (Hurricanes, 2012) http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL63A9138A2047B1A4&feature=plpp These are videos that the NOAA developed and posted to youtube so that individuals could be better informed as to how to prepare for hurricane season. They are informative, well produced, and easily followed. All seven videos can be downloaded and saved to your personal computer, so that you may view them at a later date while getting prepared for the upcoming hurricane season. (Hurricane Preparedness PSAs, 2012) http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php The National Hurricane Center has an excellent website explaining how to prepare and survive a hurricane. The website...
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...weather like tornadoes, hurricanes floods, and many more. When there is an extreme weather phenomenon happens there is usually a high cost that comes with it not only economical but also personal. One type of extreme weather is hurricanes. Hurricanes are also known as typhoons and cyclones. It is a powerful rotating storm that involves thunder, lightning, and rain. Hurricanes are one of the most damaging and powerful forces there are among the other types of extreme weather. Hurricanes are a major hazard to buildings, people, and the environment. A hurricane has killed more people than any other storm there is. In order for a tropical storm to be classified as a hurricane its wind speed has to reach 74mph but usually reaches higher wind speed than that. Some examples of hurricanes over the last couple of years are hurricane Ivan and Katrina. Hurricane Ivan made its appearance on the gulf shores of Alabama. This hurricane started at 2:10am Thursday September 16 2004. Hurricanes Ivan’s strength was estimated to be around 130 mph which made it a category 3 hurricane. Ivan cost a lot of damages, it was estimated that there was around 123 fatalities and the cost damage it caused was estimated at $18 million making it the fifth costliest hurricane ever to strike the country. There was also hurricane Katrina which was in New Orleans are and Mississippi coast; it was one of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history. It is also one of the most deadly hurricanes to strike the...
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...Emergency Planning and Security Preparedness Patricia Gutierrez SEC 493 July 15, 2013 David Bagnon Introduction The security of our nation is something that is very important to the country. Because of the horrible events that occurred in September 11, 2001, national security has had to bump up their security measures. But security is not only for terrorist attacks, it is also put in place to secure people from natural disasters, before and after the disaster. Technology has helped each agency to better plan certain for disasters or keeping control as to who comes into the country, thru air, water, or land. Homeland Security Homeland Security consists of many government agencies working on protecting the security of the United States of America. When people think of homeland security, the first thought for them is terrorist attacks but homeland security even protects when there is a natural disaster. Airport security is run by Transportation Security Administration. This department of Homeland Security was created in 2001 after the September 11 attacks. After the attacks, many things changed for passengers flying. There are more restrictions as to what can be brought on the plane. Liquid could not be more that certain amount of ounces, all shoes are checked. Passengers wearing jackets must remove them to get pat downs and now only passengers are allowed at the gates. There technology...
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...Hazard Assessment for Memphis, Tennessee Environmental Geology April 24, 2012 Hazard Assessment for Memphis, Tennessee A natural disaster is defined as any event or force of nature that has catastrophic consequences (“natural disaster”). The only reason that these events are considered to have catastrophic consequences is because people are negatively affected by these natural events. If people were not present during these events, they would not be considered catastrophic. The more people affected means the event would be considered more catastrophic. Tennessee is the 17th most populated state, with approximately 6.4 million residents (Infoplease.com). Within the state, Shelby county covers the most area, (755 square miles), and is also the most populated county, with approximately 927,644 people residing there (Infoplease.com). Shelby county includes the city of Memphis. Memphis is the most populated city within Tennessee with at least 645,000 residents (Infoplease.com). I have attached several maps in order to see different parts of the land. Map I shows where the county lines are located within Tennessee. You can also see where Memphis is located within the county. Map II shows the elevation levels of the state. As you can see in that map, Memphis is located within the lowest elevation levels of the state. Map III shows the rivers that run throughout the state. The main river that runs between the Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri borders is the Mississippi River. There...
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...Global warming: The beginning of Armageddon My Artefact (1) / My Newspaper article (1) Scientists, celebrities, and everyday people have been trying to understand the nature of global warming. Controversy is rampant and there is intense debate around the world on the subject. The most obvious thing that can be said about global warming is that the earth is getting warmer. Specifically, the temperatures near the surface of the earth and the temperatures in the ocean are rising. Since 1990, there have been 10 years that have been hotter than any others in recorded history. The greenhouse effect is said to be responsible for global warming. The greenhouse effect causes certain vapours and gases to form a sort of blanket that covers and warms the earth. Water vapour, methane, carbon dioxide, and several other trace gases make up this blanket. The greenhouse effect itself is not disputed. No controversy exists on this point because the greenhouse effect is recognized as an inherently beneficial process. If all the energy that struck the earth was reflected right back into space, no one could live on earth. This is what would happen without this blanket that is caused by acceptable levels of global warming. However, global warming is not all good. It can cause the earth's covering to increase in density. With a denser blanket over the earth, less of the heat is reflected back into space. This upsets the delicate balance between heat and cold that is usually maintained...
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...1979, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was formed to help with state and local governments within the United States and the International Association of Emergency Managers was formed to help state, federal and governments ensure that their people have peace of mind. Table of Contents I. Introduction 3 II. Hurricane Katrina 4 III. Natural disasters in the United States 6 IV. Earthquake and tsunami in Japan 8 V. Natural disasters in the world 9 VI. Closing 11 VII. Reference 13 I. INTRODUCTIONS The environment is always changing and the people of the United States should always be aware of what could happen to them if they are not prepared for what Mother Nature do to their surroundings with no notice. There are several types of natural disasters that can maim and destroy communities and people lives. To name a few, they are hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, earthquakes, mudslides, flooding wildfires, tsunamis and volcanoes. Hurricanes are usually formed in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea or Gulf of Mexico. According to the Webster Dictionary, “hurricanes are a violent, tropical, cyclonic storm of the western North Atlantic, having wind...
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...TSUNAMIS * A tsunami is a very long ocean wave generated by sudden displacement of the sea floor or of the oceanic mass * The displacement of an equivalent volume of water generates the tsunami * A tsunami is harmless until it approaches the coastline * The most prone areas are those associated with earthquakes and volcanoes (mainly subduction zones) * Compared to normal ocean waves which may be about 100m, the wavelengths of large tsunami waves can exceed 200km * Tsunamis travel very quickly relative to normal ocean waves * Particularly the case in open water where velocities increase with water depth * Distant: As a wave propagates across the ocean, there is time to warn people * Local: But in a subduction zone where the tsunami is generated, there is very little warning time (15-30 minutes) * In shallow water, the tsunami waves pile up as a result velocities and wavelengths decrease, but at the same time, amplitudes can increase enormously * Due to its long wavelength, it may take a long time for a tsunami wave to crest * Wave runup – depends on several factors water depth, sea floor profile, shape of the coastline * Leads to wave heights which are highly variable (hard thing to predict) * To reduce tsunami impacts, planting of trees can be very useful * Causes of tsunamis – ALL involve displacement of water * Earthquakes * Mainly vertical crustal movements * In general, the...
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...FEMA and Federalism Deanne Norgaard POL 120 - American National Government May 26, 2014 Season Hoard FEMA and Federalism The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a federal program designed to respond to natural emergencies and disasters all over our country. Its initial catalyst is a governor’s declaration of a disaster area. So when recent tornadoes touched down and cut a path of destruction through Illinois, particularly in the towns of Washington and Gifford, the governor made his declaration and FEMA was expected to spring into action. Upon examination however, FEMA ruled that despite seven fatalities and millions of dollars of damage, the area did not qualify for assistance. Both the Illinois governor and U.S. Senators were stunned and the state was left to respond to the emergency themselves. What is this federal policy and is it better than just having each state respond to its own issues? The qualifications to receive FEMA assistance are determined by the following: the amount and type of damage (major damage and number of homes destroyed); impact on the infrastructure of affected areas or critical facilities; imminent threats to public health and safety; impacts to essential government services and functions; unique capability of Federal government; dispersion or concentration of damage; level of insurance coverage in place for homeowners and public facilities; available assistance from other (Federal, state, local, voluntary organizations); and...
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...Natural disasters create widespread devastation and human suffering on an unimaginable scale. The recent Central Mexico Earthquake and catastrophic impact of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria that ravaged the Caribbean and United States mainland serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for action. Often, these naturally occurring events are responsible for considerable loss of life, badly damaged buildings and disruption of critical public infrastructure services such as the transportation network and the electrical power grid. Likewise, other types of natural disasters including tornadoes and flooding may result in similar destruction. Frequently, the burden to deal with the aftermath of these events falls unevenly on poor communities...
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...catastrophic to people on earth are hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. All three natural disasters occur in many countries. Hurricanes are common in the United State of America, earthquakes are common in Mexico, and tsunamis are common in Japan. These three countries have experienced the worst damage from these natural disasters. The countries had to watch their people die, find a way to recover physically and mentally, and suffer from billions of dollars in damages. These people practically lose everything and have to find a way to rebuild what was lost. In order to save lives and help reduce damage from natural disasters, mankind has come a long way in technology to predict the size and location of each natural disaster’s destruction. Technology is not the same as it was one hundred years ago. With the help from NASA and scientists all over the world, people are able to give out broadcasted warnings to millions of people of the natural disaster that’s about to hit. All in all, technology has saved many lives from natural disasters but mankind is still trying to find a way in reducing damage from Mother Nature’s burst hits. In the past mankind didn’t have the sophisticated technology that was able to closely predict and track a hurricane’s projection? One hundred years ago scientists and meteorologists were still trying to figure out if their calculation for a projected hurricane was reliable or not. In the 1800’s prediction of a hurricane occurring were from ships that...
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...Hurricanes Introduction Few things in nature can compare to destructive force of a hurricane. Called the greatest storm on Earth, a hurricane is capable of annihilating coastal areas with sustained winds of 155 miles per hour or higher, intense areas of rainfall, and a storm surge. In fact, during its life cycle a hurricane can expend as much energy as 10,000 nuclear bombs. The term hurricane is derived from “Huracan”, a god of evil recognized by the Tainos, an ancient aboriginal tribe from Central America. In other parts of the world, Hurricanes are known by different names. In the western Pacific and China Sea area, Hurricanes are known as typhoons, from the Cantonese Tai-Fung meaning great wind. In Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Australia, they are known as cyclones, and finally, in the Philippines, they are known as bagyo. The scientific name for a hurricane, regardless of its location, is tropical cyclone. In general, a cyclone is a large system of spinning air that rotates around a point of low pressure. Only tropical cyclones, which have warm air at their center, become the powerful storms that are called hurricanes. Hurricane Formation and Decay Hurricanes form over tropical waters (between 8 and 20 degrees latitude) in areas of high humidity, light winds, and warm sea surface temperatures [typically 26.5 degrees Celsius (80 Fahrenheit) or greater]. These conditions usually prevail in the summer and early fall months of the tropical North Atlantic and North Pacific...
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...inform my audience about the formation, category, and destruction of a Hurricane. Central Idea: Explaining how hurricanes form, categorizing them, and finally how destructive they can be. Introduction I. Living in Wisconsin the only real threat of any natural disaster happening is flooding, which has caused more damage than any other natural disaster in Wisconsin. a. But for those who live along the East Coast and Gulf Coast typically deal with much worse than those in the Midwest. b. One natural disaster in particular is the hurricane, or as others call them typhoons or cyclones, depending where they occur. c. The scientific term is “Tropical Cyclone” i. Called a Hurricane if formed over the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific Oceans. ii. Whatever they are called, all tropical cyclones form the same way. II. According to Meteorologist Josh Fitzpatrick, Hurricanes need at least 80 degree water surface temperatures and the Pacific waters off of California rarely get above 70. d. Most of those storms die before reaching the West Coast, but they can still bring heavy rain. e. The East Coast has the Gulf Stream which keeps their waters very warm. III. With my Experiences in Habitat for Humanity and going down to Louisiana I have been able to see for myself the destruction done by one of these Tropical Storms. IV. Today I will go over how hurricanes form, how to categorize them, and the destructive they can be. (transition:...
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...On April 27, 2011, a devastating tornado swept through the city of Tuscaloosa, leaving fifty-two people dead in its wake. On this particular Wednesday in late April, Alabama and a few other southern states (Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee) were ravaged with a total of 199 tornadoes. The storms began shortly after midnight on April 27 with the majority of them happening from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm as supercell storms formed over Mississippi and Alabama. The violent EF4 tornado that damaged Tuscaloosa began at 4:43 pm in rural Greene County. It quickly trekked over southwest Tuscaloosa and into downtown at 5:13 pm destroying anything and everything in its path. As it continued on its journey, it hit the poor areas of Alberta...
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