Storm hazards

• The peak months for tropical storms in the Northern Hemisphere are August, September and October.
• Condensation releases energy in the form of latent heat, which helps to power the storm.
• Three ways in which buildings can be designed to withstand tropical storms include:

  • Building on stilts to avoid flood waters.
  • Building with reinforced concrete.
  • Fixed roofs rather than tiles.
• Tropical storms develop in tropical regions between 5 and 20 degrees north and south of the equator.
• The eye wall consists of large cumulonimbus clouds that form around the eye of the storm. The eye wall has the highest wind speeds and heaviest rainfall.