Natural Disaster: Hurricanes — Passage
Hurricanes are huge, swirling storms that form over warm ocean waters. They're also called tropical cyclones or typhoons in different parts of the world. These storms can be hundreds of miles wide and have very strong winds and heavy rain.
The center of a hurricane is called the eye, where it's actually calm and clear. But around the eye is the eyewall, where the strongest winds and heaviest rains are found. Hurricanes can cause a lot of damage with high winds, heavy rain, and storm surges that push seawater onto land.
Scientists track hurricanes using satellites and special airplanes that fly into the storms. They give hurricanes names and rank them from Category 1 to 5, with 5 being the strongest. This helps people understand how dangerous each storm might be.
When a hurricane is coming, people in its path need to prepare. This might mean boarding up windows, stocking up on supplies, or evacuating to a safer place. After a hurricane passes, it can take a long time for communities to recover and rebuild.
Where do hurricanes form?
Over desertsOver mountainsOver warm ocean watersIn the ArcticWhat is the center of a hurricane called?
The noseThe eyeThe heartThe coreHow do scientists track hurricanes?
With submarinesWith satellites and special airplanesWith weather balloonsWith ground radar onlyHow are hurricanes ranked?
By their namesFrom 1 to 10From A to FFrom Category 1 to 5What is a storm surge?
A sudden increase in wind speedA type of hurricaneSeawater pushed onto land by the hurricaneHeavy rainfallWhat might people do to prepare for a hurricane?
Go to the beachHave a partyBoard up windows and stock up on suppliesFly kitesCommon core standards covered
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