Hurricanes

Master hurricane safety! Understand categories, predictions, and survival tips from FEMA.

Dr. Binocs Show Video Watch the video for an introduction to hurricanes. Anatomy of a hurricane Based on what you learned in the video, which is the most dangerous part of a hurricane? The eye The eyewall The outer bands Hurricane Categories Use the chart of hurricane categories to sort the following descriptions into the right category. Category 1 80 mph winds minimal damage 4 foot storm surge Category 3 120 mph winds extensive damage 11 foot storm surge Category 5 160 mph winds catastrophic damage 20 foot storm surge Hurricane Risk Zones Are we more at risk for tornadoes or hurricanes here in NY? tornadoes hurricanes Hurricane Prediction Watch the video about hurricane prediction, then answer the questions that follow. Fill in the blanks with the correct words based on the information in the video. Hurricanes predictions are usually not accurate. Scientists input data into computers about wind speed, and water temperature,but they don't have enough information. For example, they don't know enough about wind direction high in the atmosphere. The computers predict the path that the hurricane will take so that people can prepare. The problem is that there are too many variables and too much data. The computers can't calculate the data fast enough. It takes days for the computer to make a prediction. Scientists need more powerful super computers to work with the extra information. In the meantime, scientists look at history to help make their predictions. By studying past hurricanes, they can guess what future hurricanes will do. Hurricane Katrina The image above shows the paths that scientists thought Hurricane Katrina could take (in yellow, green, gray, and red) and the actual path that the hurricane did take (in black). Using the information from the video, explain how scientists could have been so wrong in their predictions. You can type or speak your response (but don't do both!) Click on the link for this Hurricane Survival Guide posted by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) to learn more about what you should do before, during and after a hurricane. Make sure you click on the link at the bottom of the article to read about during and after. Then answer the questions. Hurricane Survival Guide What to do before, during and after a hurricane Fill in the chart using the link to the FEMA website that was provided to you. BEFORE DURING AFTER Make an emergency kit Listen for emergency alerts and information Do not touch wet electrical equipment Cover your home's windows Go to an interior room in your house Stay out of flood water Secure loose items around your property Evacuate if told to do so Use your phone only for emergencies to keep the lines clear Know your hurricane evacuation route Go to the highest level of the building if there is flooding Document damage with photographs