FEMA For Kids: Young Americans Prepare: Becoming Disaster Ready

Young Americans Prepare: Becoming Disaster Ready

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters. Evaporation from the seawater increases their power. Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around an "eye." Hurricanes have winds at least 74 miles per hour. When they come onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and heavy waves (called storm surge) can damage buildings, trees and cars.

Hurricanes are fascinating to youngsters. They incorporate earth science, history, writing, art, math, geography and other school subjects. Below are some lecture materials, suggested classroom exercises, and sources of more information that you can include in your lesson plans. We hope you will use this information especially during the week that encompasses October 14, 1998, which is celebrated as World Disaster Reduction Day in this country and around the globe.

Lecture #1: What is a hurricane? (Science, reading, geography)

Where do they come from?
Hurricanes need an ocean with water temperatures in the low to mid 80s (F), or warmer, to supply the warm moist air that fuels the clouds. They also need a way to flow the air toward the center (convergence) at low levels and remove the air aloft (divergence). When these conditions occur, pre-existing disturbances of many types can begin to organize into a tropical depression, then a tropical storm, then a hurricane.

Where do they occur?
In the North Atlantic Ocean, the classic mid-summer pattern for hurricane formation is in the low-level easterly trade-wind region from 10 to 20 degrees latitude north of the equator. Here, disturbances move westward from Africa several times a week that have the potential to strengthen. Before and after the mid-summer season, hurricanes form in the Gulf of Mexico, southern Caribbean Sea, and in the west Atlantic where several types of weather systems can form the necessary pattern of low-level inflow and upper-level outflow.

What type of damage can they do?
Hurricane damage is due to both wind and water. The more commonly visible damage is from wind, which can be devastating to buildings and vegetation. Torrential rains can cause devastating flooding and mud slides, especially in areas with hills or mountains. However, the largest losses of life and greatest damage are more often due to the storm surge and high water levels. The shape of the coastline, and the slope of the underwater ocean floor near the coast, influence how the storm surge from an approaching storm will affect the water that comes onshore. This storm surge, trapped in a cove or bay (not a wall of water), raises the level of the ocean along the shore up to 10 or 20 feet higher than normal. On top of the storm surge can be waves up to 40 feet high. Hurricane Andrew in south Florida was unusual in that most of its billions of dollars in damage was due to wind.

Defining a Hurricane:
There are no other storms like hurricanes on earth. Views of hurricanes from satellites located thousands of miles above the earth show how unique these powerful, tightly coiled weather systems are. (Visit the FEMA Web site for a computer simulation of flying over Hurricane Andrew.)

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone-the general term for all circulating weather systems (counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere) over tropical waters. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:

Tropical Depression - An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.
Tropical Storm - An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34-63 knots).
Hurricane - An intense tropical weather system with a well defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher. In the western Pacific, hurricanes are called "typhoons," and similar storms in the Indian Ocean are called "cyclones."

Hurricanes are products of the tropical ocean and atmosphere. Powered by heat from the sea, they are steered by the easterly trade winds and the temperate westerlies as well as by their own ferocious energy. Around their core, winds grow with great velocity, generating violent seas. Moving ashore, they sweep the ocean inward while spawning tornadoes and producing torrential rains and floods. Each year on average, ten tropical storms (of which six become hurricanes) develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico. Many of these remain over the ocean. However, about five hurricanes strike the United States coastline every three years. Of these five, two will be major hurricanes (Category 3 or greater on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale).

Lecture #2: Hurricane Classification (Subjects: Geography, science)

Hurricanes are classified into five categories, based on their wind speeds and potential to cause damage.

Category One -- Winds 74-95 miles per hour
Category Two -- Winds 96-110 miles per hour
Category Three -- Winds 111-130 miles per hour
Category Four -- Winds 131-155 miles per hour
Category Five -- Winds greater than 155 miles per hour

In the U.S., the official hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, but hurricanes can happen any time of the year. Hurricanes are named by the National Weather Service.

Important terms:

Hurricane Watch -- A hurricane is possible within 36 hours. Stay tuned to the radio and television for more information. The Hurricane Center is tracking the storm and trying to predict where it may come ashore.

Hurricane Warning -- A hurricane is expected within 24 hours. Communities may be told to evacuate.

Lecture #3: Storm Fury (Storms, history, geography)

Storm Surge. Storm surge is a large dome of water often 50 to 100 miles wide that sweeps across the coastline near where a hurricane makes landfall. The surge of high water topped by waves is devastating. The stronger the hurricane and the shallower the offshore water, the higher the surge will be. Along the immediate coast, storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property.

If the storm surge arrives at the same time as the high tide, the water height will be even greater. The storm tide is the combination of the storm surge and the normal astronomical tide.

Storm Tide Facts

over 6,000 people were killed in the Galveston Hurricane of 1900-most by the storm tide.
Hurricane Camille in 1969 produced a 25-foot storm tide in Mississippi.
Hurricane Hugo in 1989 generated a 20-foot storm tide in South Carolina.

Heavy Rains/Floods

Widespread torrential rains often in excess of 6 inches can produce deadly and destructive floods. This is the major threat to areas well inland.

Tropical Storm Claudette (1979) brought 45 inches of rain to an area near Alvin, Texas, contributing to more than $600 million* in damage.
Long after the winds of Hurricane Diane (1955) subsided, the storm brought floods to Pennsylvania, New York, and New England that contributed to nearly 200 deaths and $4.2 billion* in damage.
Hurricane Agnes (1972) fused with another storm system, producing floods in the United States which contributed to 122 deaths and $6.4 billion* in damage (djusted to 1990 dollars.)

Winds

Hurricane-force winds, 74 mph or more, can destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Debris, such as signs, roofing material, siding, and small items left outside, become flying missiles in hurricanes. Winds often stay above hurricane strength well inland. Hurricane Hugo (1989) battered Charlotte, North Carolina (which is about 175 miles inland), with gusts to near 100 mph, dawning trees and power lines and causing massive disruption.

Areas At Risk

Coastal Areas and Barrier Islands. All Atlantic and Gulf coastal areas are subject to hurricanes or tropical storms. Although rarely struck by hurricanes, parts of the Southwest United States and Pacific Coast suffer heavy rains and floods each year from the remnants of hurricanes spawned off Mexico. Islands, such as Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico, are also subject to hurricanes. During 1993, Guam was battered by five typhoons. Hurricane Iniki struck the island of Kauai, Hawaii, on September 11, 1992, resulting in $1.8 billion damage.

Due to the limited number of evacuation routes, barrier islands are especially vulnerable to hurricanes. People on barrier islands and in vulnerable coastal areas may be asked by local officials to evacuate well in advance of a hurricane landfall. If you are asked to evacuate, do so IMMEDIATELY!

Inland Areas

Hurricanes affect inland areas with high winds, floods, and tornadoes. Listen carefully to local authorities to determine what threats you can expect and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your property.

Camille - August 14-22, 1969: 27 inches of rain in Virginia caused severe flash flooding.
Agnes - June 14-22, 1972: Devastating floods from North Carolina to New York produced many record-breaking river crests. The storm generated 15 tornadoes in Florida and 2 in Georgia.
Hugo - September 10-22, 1989: Wind gusts reached nearly 100 mph as far inland as Charlotte, North Carolina. Hugo sustained hurricane-strength winds until shortly after it passed west of Charlotte.
Andrew - August 16-28, 1992: Damage in the United States is estimated at $25 billion, making Andrew the most expensive hurricane in United States history. Wind gusts in South Florida were estimated to be at least 175 mph

Lecture #4: Hurricane math

Hurricane A has winds that are moving at 124 miles per hour on Sunday. On Monday, Hurricane A's winds have slowed down and are only going 94 miles per hour. What is the difference in the speed of the winds from Sunday to Monday?

Tropical storms officially become hurricanes when they reach 74 miles per hours. Tropical Storm Z currently has winds of 59 miles per hour. How much do the winds of Tropical Storm Z need to speed up in order for the storm to become a hurricane?

Hurricanes can cause storm surge - when the water of the ocean rises much higher than usual. Storm surge is very dangerous, and can sweep away homes that are built right along the beach. In the town of Palm Nut Beach, the homes along the water are built on stilts that are 8 1/2 feet high. If the storm surge is 6 ¼ feet high, how much space is there between the homes and the water? If the storm surge is 10 ½ feet, how much of the house will be under water?

There is a hurricane warning for the coast and three towns must evacuate: Palm Nut Beach (population 3,451), Femaville (population 1,256) and Sandgate (population 7,436) What is the total number of people who will be evacuating from these three towns?

There are 1,200 houses in Palm Nut Beach. The town has been told to prepare for a hurricane by storing water. Each household is told to store 12 gallons of water. How many gallons of water will the town store?

Lecture #5: The Story of Mary Ann and Hurricane Camille (reading)

Mary Ann lived near the Gulf of Mexico in 1969 when Hurricane Camille struck her three-story apartment building. Mary Ann was one of 24 people who didn't leave the Richelieu Apartments when they were warned. When the storm surge hit, the building began to creak and the windows broke out. Water started flooding in and was all over the apartment in a matter of two minutes - and the apartment was on the second floor! In about five minutes, Mary Ann's bed was floating half way to the ceiling. As the building began to fall apart, Mary Ann floated out of the window and grabbed onto a sofa pillow that came by. She became tangled in wires and debris. It was dark, but Mary Ann saw the building come down all around her. The wind was awful. It reached 234 miles per hour during Hurricane Camille. Mary Ann continued to hold onto anything she could-furniture, tree limbs and parts of houses and buildings. The winds and waves were so strong that every time Mary Ann grabbed hold of something it would be ripped from her hands. She kept getting hit by the wreckage and was bloody from head to toe from the nails in the boards. This went on for 12 hours before Mary Ann was found 4 ½ miles from her house. She was taken to a hospital where she stayed for three weeks.

Today, Mary Ann still lives in Mississippi. She tells her story over and over so people will listen when they're told to evacuate.

Activity #1

Based on the story of Mary Ann, draw pictures illustrating what happened to her.

Based on the story of Mary Ann, write a story about what would have happened if she and her family had evacuated the building when they were asked to.

Activity #2: Building a Family Disaster Kit

Many times, a community will not have to evacuate because of a hurricane. But they need to be prepared for high wind and rain. How many items in a Family Disaster Kit do you already have on hand? Use this list and hold a scavenger hunt. Put a check next to each item that you find:

Stored water (10 points) 10 cans of food for each person in your house (10 points) High energy foods like peanut butter, crackers and trail mix (5 points) At least half of the items listed for a first aid kit (10 points) (ask your Mom or Dad for help) Clothes set aside for everyone in the house, including shoes or boots (5 points)

You get one point for each of these items you have in your house (or garage):

Mess kits or paper/plastic plates and cups
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
Non-electric can opener and utility knife (like a Swiss Army knife)
Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Signal flares
Paper and pencils
Needle and thread
Shut-off wrench to turn off the gas and water to your house
Plastic sheeting
Whistle
Toilet paper
Soap
Household chlorine bleach
Plastic bucket with a tight lid
Plastic garbage bags

How many points did you get? How do you compare to your fellow students? (Students may get small prizes or some sort of honor or award for high points.)

Activity 3: Mitigation measures (art)

What can you do to protect your home from a hurricane? For example, FEMA recommends that houses have hurricane straps that keep your roof attached to the walls. Storm shutters can be installed to protect windows and glass against flying debris like tree trunks or other things carried by strong winds. Houses can also be built on stilts to protect them from flooding due to storm surge. Using your imagination, what wild things might you do to protect your home from high winds, rain, flooding and storm surge of hurricanes? (Student artwork or writing can be posted on the FEMA for Kids Web site. Visit the Web site for information on submitting materials.)

Hurricane Publications/Videos

FEMA publications/videos can be ordered free by calling 1-800-480-2520:

FEMA 247 Against the Wind
L-105 Safety Tips for Hurricanes
L-213 Hurricane Action Guidelines for School Children
FEMA 270 Jason and Robin's Hurricane Adventure - Hurricane Awareness for Children
8-0950 Hurricane: It's Not Just Another Storm video
0-0115 Hurricane, Tornado, Flood Preparedness and Family Disaster Plans video
9-1062 Hurricane: Prepare to Survive video

National Weather Service publications can be ordered through their Website at: www.nws.noaa.gov/om/nwspub.htm 91001 Hurricane! A Familiarization Booklet
94050 Hurricanes: Unleashing Nature's Fury

Order these American Red Cross publications through your local Red Cross Chapter

ARC 5041 Before the Wind Blows
ARC 2206 After the Storm Coloring Book
ARC 5040 Preparing our Home for Hurricane

Internet Resources: