Hurricanes

Hurricanes are cyclones that develop over the warm tropical oceans and have sustained winds in excess of 64 knots (74 miles/hour). These storms are capable of producing dangerous winds, torrential rains and flooding, all of which may result in tremendous property damage and loss of life in coastal populations.

For every year, there is a pre-approved list of names for tropical storms and hurricanes. These lists have been generated by the National Hurricane Center since 1953. At first, the lists consisted of only female names; however, since 1979, the lists alternate between male and female.

2009 Hurricane Names

Ana Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fred Grace Henri Ida Joaquin Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wand

The Saffron-Simpson Hurricane Scale is utilized to determine the relative strengths of hurricanes that may impact the United States coast. Since the 1990s, only wind speed has been used to categorize hurricanes.

Category One Hurricane

• Maximum Sustained Wind Speed: 74-95 miles per hour
• Damage Category: Minimal
• Approximate Pressure: Above 980 mb
• Approximate Storm Surge: 3-5 feet
• Examples: Hurricane Lili (2002) in Louisiana; Hurricane Gaston (2004) in South Carolina

Category Two Hurricane

• Maximum Sustained Wind Speed: 96-110 miles per hour
• Damage Category: Moderate
• Approximate Pressure: 979-965 mb
• Approximate Storm Surge: 6-8 feet
• Example: Hurricane Isabel (2003) in North Carolina

Category Three Hurricane

• Maximum Sustained Wind Speed: 111-130 miles per hour
• Damage Category: Extensive
• Approximate Pressure: 964-945 mb
• Approximate Storm Surge: 9-12 feet
• Examples: Hurricane Katrina (2005) in Louisiana; Hurricane Jeanne (2004) in Florida; Hurricane Ivan (2004) in Alabama

Category Four Hurricane

• Maximum Sustained Wind Speed: 131-155 miles per hour
• Damage Category: Extreme
• Approximate Pressure: 944-920 mb
• Approximate Storm Surge: 13-18 feet
• Example: Hurricane Charley (2004) in Florida; Hurricane Iniki (1992) in Hawaii; the Galveston Hurricane (1900) in Texas

Category Five Hurricane

• Maximum Sustained Wind Speed: Above 155 miles per hour
• Damage Category: Catastrophic
• Approximate Pressure: Below 920 mb
• Approximate Storm Surge: More than 18 feet
• Examples: Only three Category 5 hurricanes have struck the United States since records began: The Labor Day Hurricane (1935) in the Florida Keyes, Hurricane Camille (1969) near the mouth of the Mississippi River, and Hurricane Andrew (1992) in Florida.

Adriana