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The majority of damage in Florida from Hurricane Andrew in 1992 was due to wind. Maximum winds in Florida were not able to be measured because instruments were broken when the storm made landfall. Gusts above 160 mph were measured before instruments were damaged, and 120 mph gusts were reported in Louisiana after the storm [...]

Although trees tolerate every day weather, they are vulnerable to severe weather and natural disasters. Large-scale damage to trees has direct environmental effects. For example, scientists have concluded that an estimated 320 million trees in Mississippi and Louisiana died or were severely damaged from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Since healthy forests take in large amounts [...]

Plastic and metal trash in rivers and streams, which eventually lead to the Gulf, are far slower to decompose than other types of litter. In fact, a six-pack yoke could last over 400 years in salt water and a discarded aluminum can could take 100 to 500 years to disintegrate! Viewer Tip: Protect our waters – [...]

An average of 11 tropical storms develop each year over the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. While many of those storms stay over the ocean without impacting the U.S., about five hurricanes will strike the U.S. Coastline from Texas to Maine in a given three-year period, with two being Category 3 (winds [...]

In addition to the powerful winds that accompany hurricanes, they can also produce tornadoes. Over half of the hurricanes that reach land generate at least one tornado. These often occur in the right front quadrant of the hurricane but can also occur in other places, such as embedded in rainbands far away from the center [...]

Hurricanes are categorized from 1-5 according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurrican Scale, based on wind speeds and potential damage. The weakest hurricanes are Category 1; for comparision, a Category 4 hurricane would be expected to cause 100 times more damage that a Category 1 hurricane and have wind speeds between 131 and 155 miles per hour [...]

A hurricane can cause severe damage from increased tides, currents and wave action. Erosion and coastal degradation of beaches and highways can weaken building foundations and continuous pounding on these structures can cause them to collapse. The stronger a storm and the closer a community is to its forefront, the larger the area is that must be [...]

Did you know that United States coastline totals around 12,000 miles? Fifty (50) percent of the total US population lives within 50 miles of the sea coast, making half of US residents extremely vulnerable to severe weather events such as hurricanes and floods. Viewer Tip: If you live in a coastal area, don’t forget that [...]