INVESTIGATING HURRICANE MICHAEL

Gulf Coast of USA October 2018

Part 2
INTERNET RESEARCH TASK

Use the following website to write ​brief​ notes on hurricanes in general:

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-hurricane.htm

1. What are hurricanes?

A huge storm
2. Air spirals into the center of a hurricane in which direction -
a. in the northern hemisphere?
counterclockwise
b. in the southern hemisphere?
clockwise
3. What is the “eye” of a hurricane?
The center of the storm
4. Where do hurricanes generally form?
Really warm ocean water
5. Where do they get their energy from?
The Coriolis Force
6. What are storm surges and how are they generated by hurricanes?
When ​a hurricane’s winds spiral around and around the storm and they push water into 
a mound at the storm’s center. 
7. Describe the other two ways in which hurricanes cause damage.
It can flood or cause extreme winds

Part 3
Use the same website to compile a list of safety tips you should follow if your town/city is threatened by
a hurricane.
8. BEFORE A HURRICANE
Have a disaster plan ready
9. DURING A HURRICANE
Stay away from low laying and flood-prone areas
10. AFTER A HURRICANE
Stay indoors

Part 4
11. Where did Hurricane Michael form?
The Caribbean Sea
Hurricane Michael was a Category 4 storm by the time it made landfall near Mexico Beach.
Hurricanes are categorized according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale - this can be seen at:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php
12. Describe the characteristics of Hurricane Michael by the time it made landfall
Catastrophic damage will happen and most of the area will be inhabitable for weeks or 
months
MEDIA RESEARCH​ - from a range of media sources, in brief note form, describe the impact of
Hurricane Michael on the areas below:
13. TALLAHASSEE
Destroyed stuff and turned off the power
14. PANAMA CITY
Lots of trees fell and was destroyed
15. MEXICO BEACH
Many houses were torn apart
16. OTHER AREAS?
In other places, it wasn’t as bad
17. After making landfall Hurricane Michael caused widespread flooding, particularly along the coast of
the Florida Panhandle and continuing into Georgia and parts of Alabama. Why can such severe
flooding occur with hurricanes? You might find this link useful:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/hazards.php
In some places they bring up water so it floods