Storm Hazards

• Storm surge - a rapid rise in sea level in which water is piled up against a coastline to a level far in excess of the normal conditions at high tide.
• Low pressure = sea rise, ripple on heading of low pressure system, creating a large wave as it moves inland.
• Conditions for a hurricane to form:

  • Sea temperatures = 26.5 C
  • Sea depth = 70m
  • North and south of equator
  • Winds coming together
  • Warm air meeting and rising
  • Cold air pulled into storm - causes spiral movement
• Hurricanes are less risky due to prediction and mitigation:

  NOAA - National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration