Tropical Storms and Hurricanes: Deadly by Nature

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A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone with wind speeds of 39 mph or higher. Agencies such as the National Hurricane Center, in the United States, continuously track hurricanes and tropical storms when they develop over the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Once the average wind speed passes 74 mph, the weather disturbance is categorized as a hurricane. A tropical storm has a large low-pressure center and is accompanied by thunderstorms.

Time Lapse Video- Typhoon Nangka Over Hong Kong

The thunderstorms create heavy wind and rain, which usually cause roof wind damage, flooding, mud slides and other forms of water damage and wind damage.

Roof damage can be caused by flying debris, or solely by the aggressive action of the wind. In some cases, a roof may not be designed to withstand winds of the intensity associated with a hurricane. Roof damage results when roof fasteners loosen as a result of the vacuum created by the swift winds, releasing roofing materials which form dangerous missiles during a hurricane or tropical storm.

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Flood damage to motorcycles, cars, trucks, houses and land is inevitable during a hurricane. Public infrastructure-such as roads and schools may undergo flood damage, which can cost countries millions of dollars to repair. Insurance companies in the United States estimated the flood damage to property alone, at 25 billion dollars, after Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina: The Economics of Disaster

http://inflationdata.com/inflation/Inflation_Articles/Hurricane_Inflation.asp

Flooding can wipe out crops and this can be detrimental to individual farmers and entire nations.  70,000 tons of oranges were lost in Veracruz, Mexico, after Hurricane Dean in 2007.

A tropical storm or hurricane can cause serious injury and loss of human and animal life.

Hurricane Ivan caused 44 deaths in 2004. The island of Grenada, where 39 people were killed, suffered the worst loss of life. The name Ivan is no longer used for hurricanes.

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Grand Cayman, which is known more for its scuba diving and horse back riding and Honduras, which is known for its ancient Mayan ruins and whitewater rafting, are currently under tropical storm watch, while a tropical disturbance lingers off the north-east coast of Grand Cayman and Honduras. Many persons involved in clean up efforts related to the recent catastrophic BP Plc oil spill are concerned about the possible tropical storm, which would wash more oil ashore.

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A tropical storm would have serious consequences for the residents of Grand Cayman, which has been severely affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, which have hit the mostly flat island in the past. Hurricane Ivan shifted entire buildings from one side of a street to the other. Persons in other countries, who had relatives in Grand Cayman, experienced panic alongside those who watched water produced by the hurricane rising up three stories in apartment buildings and office buildings in the Caymanian capital.

Tracking hurricanes and tropical storms is important. Tracking hurricanes gives persons information on where to go or when it is possible to go to a certain location. By tracking hurricanes, information is available to people who want to travel but are concerned about safety.

Tracking hurricanes provides information for support services such as church groups and the Red Cross, so they know in advance which areas may need emergency resources.

A hurricane tracking chart is useful in tracking hurricanes. People can easily access a hurricane tracking chart to get the latest weather info. Software that generates a hurricane tracking chart can be downloaded for free from some weather sites.

Tracking hurricanes via a hurricane tracking chart on your personal computer is another way to be prepared.

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