What is a Hurricane?

 

By Erika Enigk

Note: The summer and fall of 2017 has been one of the most active hurricane seasons in years, and people are still being affected by them.

What is a hurricane? 

                A hurricane is a very strong storm that forms over the ocean. In order to form, hurricanes need warm water and strong winds.

                Early on these storms are called tropical disturbances. This just means there’s a storm forming over the ocean. As the winds get stronger, the storm is upgraded to a tropical depression, then a topical storm, and finally a hurricane. A category 1 hurricane is the mildest kind, but it’s still a very strong storm with winds 74-95 mph. A category 5 is the strongest with winds up to 157 mph.

How are storms named?

                Sometimes – like with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma – there are a few storms forming at the same time. Naming them makes it easier to keep them straight. There are six lists of names that go in alphabetical order. This year started with Arlene for storms that formed in the Atlantic Ocean and Adrian for storms that formed in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. New storms will get the next name down the list, and next year, the next list will start back with A. Storms get names when they are strong enough to be classified as a tropical storm.

What do people do during a hurricane?

                Many people evacuate during a hurricane, which means they leave their homes and og to safer places. Some choose to stay home and stock up on water, food, and other supplies they’ll need just in case they lose power or can’t get out for a few days. People put boards over their windows to protect their homes.

Source: Cheboygan Tribune and Sault News; Weekend Edition October 6-8, 2017.