![]() ![]() Torrential rains from the storm can cause rivers to flood their banks and mudslides to form.Īround the world, about 10,000 people die each year in hurricanes and tropical storms. At this point, the storm has typically weakened, but it can still cause damage. Inland FloodingĪfter a hurricane hits a coastal area, it can travel inland. The model takes into account important factors that affect storm surge include the speed of winds in the storm, the distance that those winds travel over the ocean, how the hurricane approaches the coast (whether it is a direct impact or hits at an angle), and the shape of the coast and the ocean floor. When storm surge happens at high tide, there is even more flooding.Īs a hurricane approaches a coastline, scientists use a computer model called SLOSH (Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes) to try to predict how much storm surge will occur. The floods from storm surge usually lasts for a short time - often just a few hours - but can cause a tremendous amount of damage. Combined with the crashing waves of the storm, storm surge can demolish docks, houses, and roads, and erode beaches. The rising water, called storm surge, can submerge low-lying areas and towns along the coast. The water piles up with nowhere to go but onto land when it gets to the coast. The low pressure of the storm also allows the water level to creep higher. Wind from the storm pushes ocean water towards the land. Storm Surge Along the CoastĪs a storm moves towards a coast, it can cause the sea level to rise as much as 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters). High winds can topple trees and low-lying areas are often flooded. The amount of damage depends on the strength of a storm and what it hits. Even large boulders can be carried in the powerful surge of ocean water. Huge amounts of beach sand are moved from place to place. Hurricanes impact the natural environments along a coast, too. ![]() ![]() When a hurricane approaches land, tremendous damage can occur to coastal cities and towns. Houses in Orange Beach, Alabama, a barrier island community before (top) and after (bottom) Hurricane Ivan, which hit the coast in September 2004. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |