Famous Hurricanes of the World

Hurricanes are kinds of tropical cyclones, a common term used for a low pressure system which normally occurs in the tropics. They are generally accompanied by thunderstorms and an anti-clockwise circulation of strong winds which are close to the surface of the Earth. All coastal areas are likely to be hit by a hurricane or a tropical storm, like the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Some regions in the Southwest United States and the borders of the Pacific experience heavy rains and flooding every year as a result of the tropical storms generated off Mexico.

Hurricanes have the ability to damage and destroy coastlines and push some hundred kilometers inland, with the speed of winds going over 155 mph. The formation of twisters and microbursts also result from hurricanes. Tropical storms are measured according to the wind speed, central pressure, and their destroying potency.

Famous Hurricanes of the World

Hurricane Katrina
This was among the top five most deadliest and costliest hurricane ever in the history of the USA. It was rated the sixth dangerous amongst all Atlantic hurricanes which were registered. It generated over the Bahamas on August 23, 2005 and traveled across southern Florida as a mild hurricane which caused some damage and flooding, before building up speedily in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast stretching from central Florida to Texas, and resulted in severe demolition in those areas, mainly because of its rapid-moving storms. However, the degree of the destruction of life and property was at its peak when the hurricane hit New Orleans, Louisiana. The loss of lives and property was primarily caused as the embankment system unfortunately failed. Finally, around 80% of New Orleans and some areas of neighboring communities were inundated, after which it took several weeks for the land surface to show up again. The hurricane left about 1,800 people dead, which made it one of the most deadliest US tropical storm. The property damaged was worth over $100 billion, after which it was considered as the most costliest hurricane in the USA.

Hurricane Charley
This hurricane was generated in less than a weeks time in the tropical Atlantic. It contained winds over 150 mph, and existed from August 9 to August 15, 2004. It spawned in the east of the Windward Islands on the 9th of August and traveled speedily to the west across the Caribbean. As it was on its way to Jamaica, it built up and destroyed some parts of the island on 11th August, and also went through the Cayman Islands. On 12th August, it went over Cuba, which is in the west of Havana. While it was heading towards the northeast, it strengthened up speedily in just a few hours, and eventually made landfall near Port Charlotte, Florida, where it destroyed life and property to a great extent. Hurricane Charley was a fast-moving tropical storm which caused destruction by its strong winds, rather than heavy rainfall. It later destroyed property while passing near Orlando and Daytona Beach. On 14th August, it made the next landfall in a region near North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. By the time the hurricane dissipated near Cape Cod, Massachusetts on 15th August, it had made serious damage worth $14 billion, with approximately 15 deaths to its credit.

Hurricane Galveston
It was the 8th of September, 1900, when hurricane Galveston hit Galveston Island, Texas. The destruction caused by it was ruinous. But the records of hurricanes that we have today did not exist back in that time. This hurricane was so severe that Galveston was nearly wiped off the map. It is believed that the people who were affected by the hurricane were worried about salt water of the sea coming into their houses, and not the rain water. As a result, the Galveston 'sea wall' was built to protect the island from such natural disasters, which is around 17 feet tall. However, very little is known about the damages and loss of life caused by Hurricane Galveston.

Hurricane Hugo
The spawning of Hurricane Hugo was observed using a satellite imagery on 9th September, 1989. It developed when a group of thunderstorms traveled off the African coast. It then moved southeast of the Cape Verde Islands and then towards the west with a speed of around 120 mph throughout the tropical Atlantic Ocean. By 13th September, Hurricane Hugo had increased in strength, after which it moved west-northwest towards Puerto Rico. On 17th, it hit Guadeloupe at midnight and continued moving over Vieques and mainland Puerto Rico. It also destroyed property in South Carolina with a wind speed of around 126 mph. Eventually it ended on 24th September, 1989.

These were some of the most famous hurricanes of the world, which have caused severe damage to human life and infrastructure. Strong measures have been taken by the governments of countries to prevent the destruction caused by hurricanes and tornadoes, but who knows how powerful the future hurricanes may be. After all nature is always one step ahead of us.