Strong Winds

• 157 mph in Category 5 storms

• not as fast as tornadoes, but much more widespread

• wind velocities are higher on the “right side” of the cyclone

  • speed of storm and wind speed

  • highest storms surges also occur along the right side

Storm Surge/Flood/High Waves

• ocean water pushed towards the shore by strong winds (95% of surge)

  • rough, turbulent waves

  • especially close to and on the right side of the eyewall

• eye is a low-pressure zone; seawater builds up (5% of surge)

• especially bad if it coincides with the high tide

  • water level increased by up to 30 feet

• water moves inland which leads to flooding

• Hurricane Katrina (category 5) in Gulfport, MS (August, 29, 2005)

  • peak surge estimated at 28 feet in this location

• 59% of deaths in the US related to hurricanes from 1970-1999 were due to inland flooding

  • related to storm surge and heavy rainfall

Heavy Rainfall

• often after passage of the hurricane

• dying hurricane holds massive volumes of water

• causes inland flooding

• can be caused by low-intensity hurricanes (like a Category 1) or tropical storms