Hurricane Facts for Kids
Did you know that hurricanes are formed over warm ocean waters?
Hurricanes are the most powerful storms on Earth!
Hurricane winds can reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour!
Hurricanes can last for up to two weeks!
The eye of a hurricane is the calmest part, with clear skies and no rain.
The word hurricane comes from the Taino Native American word, meaning evil spirit of the wind.
Hurricanes are given names to make it easier to track and remember them.
The strongest hurricanes are categorized as Category 5 storms.
Hurricanes can cause storm surges, which are walls of water that flood coastal areas.
Hurricane Katrina, in 2005, was one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
Hurricanes can be so strong that they can knock down trees, buildings, and power lines.
Hurricanes can bring heavy rain that leads to flooding.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th.
Hurricanes are known by different names in different parts of the world – typhoons in the Pacific and cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
Hurricanes form in the warm tropics and move towards the cooler poles.
The eye wall of a hurricane is where the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall occur.
Hurricane hunters fly into hurricanes to collect important data and help predict their paths.
Heavy rainfall from hurricanes can cause rivers to overflow, leading to more flooding.
Hurricane Facts for Kids part 2
Storm surge is the biggest threat to coastal areas during a hurricane.
Some hurricanes are given names of people, animals, or even places.
Hurricanes need warm ocean waters, moisture, and light winds to form and strengthen.
Hurricanes can create tornadoes within them.
In the Pacific Ocean, hurricanes are less common, but they are called typhoons.
Hurricanes rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hurricanes can cause massive power outages that can take days or weeks to restore.
The eye of a hurricane can range from a few miles to more than 50 miles in diameter.
Hurricane names are reused every six years, unless a storm is particularly devastating and its name is retired.
NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, monitors and forecasts hurricanes in the United States.
Hurricanes can knock down telephone poles, trees, and other objects due to their strong winds.
Hurricane Sandy, in 2012, caused significant damage and flooding in the northeastern United States.
Hurricanes are given names to avoid confusion when multiple storms are occurring at the same time.
The storm surge caused by hurricanes is the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths.
Hurricanes can bring hail, lightning, and intense thunderstorms.
Hurricanes can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles before dissipating.
Hurricanes can form in different parts of the world, including the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is used to rate the intensity of hurricanes, from Category 1 to Category
The eyewall of a hurricane is the most dangerous part, with the strongest winds and heaviest rain.
Hurricane Andrew, in 1992, was one of the costliest hurricanes to hit the United States.
The warm, moist air from the ocean fuels the growth and intensity of hurricanes.
Hurricanes can cause significant damage to agriculture and disrupt food supplies.
Strong hurricanes can create massive waves, making it dangerous for ships and boats at sea.
Climate change may be contributing to the increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes.
Hurricanes can form in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
The intensity of a hurricane is determined by the wind speed, which is measured in miles per hour.
It is important to have an emergency plan in place and to evacuate if instructed to do so during a hurricane.