Hurricanes bring with them torrential rains, high winds, storm surge (a large dome of water), flooding and tornadoes. While a storm’s intensity can indicate how destructive it may be, ultimately the level of damage depends on when and where the storm hits. If a hurricane strikes a heavily populated area, for example, property damage and loss of life will likely be greater than in less populated areas.
The storm surge poses the greatest threat to coastal areas. This large mound of water, accumulated as the storm develops, can be anywhere from 50 to 100 miles wide, and 15 feet or more at the peak. If it hits the coastline, it can cause massive destruction. Also threatening are the hurricane’s high winds, which precede the eye of the storm. The winds can be destructive in themselves, but they also carry debris that can cause injury and property damage. Rainfall and flooding also accompany a hurricane, and are particularly devastating in mountainous regions, where they can cause flash floods and mudslides. Rainfall usually ranges between 6 and 12 inches. Finally, tornadoes often develop at the outer edges of the storm as it hits land, causing enormous destruction. These tornadoes can develop days after the storm strikes land, and are usually more common in more intense hurricanes.
In addition to the direct impact of these hazards, there are indirect consequences as well. Chemical spills could be caused by the storm’s destruction, there could be car accidents and fires may be started by people using candles or other flammable materials when electricity is lost. The clean-up phase brings risks of its own, including accidents and heart attacks as people struggle to repair the damage done.