TROPICAL STORMS
These storms are the beginnings of hurricanes, which develop from tropical depressions. They are areas of low pressure over tropical seas. Warm, moist air rises rapidly in these centers, and tons of water vapor condense, great quantities of heat are released to further fuel the upward rush of air.
HURRICANES
After a tropical storm intensifies, moist winds are spiraling in from all directions and swirling up around the eye of the storm. As the winds intensify, a full-scale hurricane takes shape. It continues to strengthen until it moves over land or a cold area of the sea, where its supply of heat and moisture is cut off. A hurricane's diameter can be as large as 500 miles, while the smallest can be 25 miles.

When hurricanes hit land, they pack a triple punch- wind, rain, and surging seas. The high winds around the eye can easily uproot trees, lift the roofs off buildings, and overturn cars. The storms usually drop as much as 6 inches of rain, usually in heavy downpours that cause widespread flooding. The winds whip up the sea into tremendous waves called storm surge. Sometimes these waves wash far inland and swamp everything that lies in their path.


CATE-
GORY		 WINDS
(mph)		 SURGE
(ft)		 DAMAGE
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Damage-Potential Scale
174-954-5some damage to trees, shrubbery, and unanchored mobile homes
296-1106-8major damage to mobile homes; damage buildings' roofs, and blow trees down
3111-1309-12destroy mobile homes; blow down large trees; damage small buildings
4131-15513-16completely destroy mobile homes; lower floors of structures near shore are susceptible to flooding
5156+18+extensive damage to homes and industrial buildings; blow away small buildings; lower floors of structures within 500 meters of shore and less than 4.5 m (15 ft) above sea level are damaged
CYCLONES AND TYPHOONS
A CYCLONE is the name for a hurricane that occurs in the Indian Ocean. A TYPHOON is the name for a hurricane that occurs in the China Sea and the western Pacific area.
SAFETY
  • Stay tuned to radio, TV, or NOAA* Weather Radio.
  • Board up doors and windows.
  • Bring in pets.
  • Leave mobile homes.
  • Leave area if on low ground near coastal area.
  • If staying: Fill containers with drinking water, stay indoors on the downwind side of the house and away from windows.
Footnotes:
* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration