Natural Science Methodologies

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Rachael DoRego Hurricanes Hydrometeorological disasters are caused by both natural and man-made elements. Natural factors include things like wind, global warming, heavy precipitation that results in flooding, or lack of precipitation that results in droughts. These natural factors were already there before humans started industrializing the planet, even if they have been aided in their development. However, by causing and contributing to deforestation, air pollution from harmful emissions, fires, inappropriate disposal of hazardous materials, and groundwater contamination, man-made factors have hastened these natural causes. One type of hydrometeorological danger is a hurricane. Warm surface water, high humidity, and winds blowing from the same direction at a steady speed are necessary for the formation of hurricanes, often referred to as typhoons. (D.Stewart, T.Stewart, N.Gordon,& B.Shuman.2022.) Wherever these hurricanes land, there might be serious issues. A hurricane is a tropical storm that has winds that consistently reach 74 mph or higher. The term "tropical depression" refers to the state that arises before a hurricane forms and surface winds drop to 39 miles per hour. At 39 mph or above, it's referred to as a tropical storm. Hurricanes are declared when winds exceed 74 mph. The hurricane wind scale on the Saffir-Simpson ranges from 1 to 5. The magnitude of the storm increases with rating. A storm's eye can stretch over 400 miles and is typically 20 to 30 miles wide. Storm surges, strong winds, and torrential rainfall are some of the hazards associated with storms. The World Meteorological Organization assigns names to each storm based on a list it maintains (NOAA.2023). Meteorologists believed that giving storms names would aid people's memory. Numerous individuals will always remember the powerful hurricanes of their era. Global scientists have come to the conclusion that extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, heavy rainfall, and floods, are being made worse by climate change (D.Baussan.2015.). Several post-disaster predicaments are exacerbated by these floods. Among these include habitat degradation, infrastructure damage, and human displacement. People are 60% more likely worldwide today than they were in the 1970s to be displaced by a weather-related disaster, according to a new report from the Norwegian Refugee Council (D.Baussan.2015.). The route of a storm affects not only the devastation of land but also vegetation, water, wildlife, plants, fish, and water salinity. It is also well recognized that communities with lower economic status are impacted by human displacement significantly more than other groups. Poor climate- resilient homes that aren't built to last through a disaster are one factor that contributes to this. This renders the homes costly and unrepairable, and the process of rebuilding these homes makes it even harder for these people to return. Long-term effects of the

tragedy include families moving to different places, children experiencing educational delays, mental health problems, and the federal government providing funding for housing and schooling to help the displaced families who are now part of the city's population. Areas that are vulnerable to hurricanes experience tropical and warm weather. These locations are close to the equator, where the ocean has warmed due to an increase in solar radiation. In June, these storms start to develop in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. Due to their proximity to or positioning between these oceans, Florida and Texas are the most severely impacted states. (J.Heil.2023.) As the ocean's warmth rises, it combines with the cold winds from the north and south of the equator to steadily build velocity in opposite directions, which sets up the ideal conditions for a hurricane to form. August of 1991. Hurricane Bob, a category 3 storm, is well remembered.When this storm slammed the Cape Cod region and Rhode Island, which is approximately an hour away from Fall River, I was living in Fall River, Massachusetts, and I was around six years old. 17 individuals lost their lives as a result of the 75–125 mph winds, which also caused $1.4 billion in damages throughout New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Maine. The biggest Maine has ever seen. While Hurricane Bob was approaching the coast, three tornadoes developed. Numerous power outages were caused by wind damage to utility poles and trees. In southeast Massachusetts and southeast Rhode Island, more over 60% of the population lost electricity. (D.Vallee & M.Dion. n.d.) Now fast-forward to August 1992. A lot of people recall Hurricane Andrew, a Category 5 storm. With winds as high as 175 mph, 63,000 homes were destroyed, 124,000 dwellings were damaged, and 65 individuals lost their lives. Along with 1.4 million additional families, people also lost electricity. In addition, 70,000 trees in the Everglades were uprooted and damaged by this hurricane, killing 187 million freshwater fish. ( Dovovan Landreneau. n.d.) No one should ever forget the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. Among the most catastrophic hurricanes was this one. Hurricane Andrew was nothing compared to this tragedy. Water was forced into the Gulf of Mississippi by this category 3 rainfall surge, adding to the amount of water around Louisiana's waterways. Because this state is formed like a bowl, the storm broke through the floodwalls and levees, submerging eighty percent of New Orleans. There is bloodshed and death everywhere. People crammed into sports arenas, trapped between dead loved ones. Thousands were hurt, and about 1577 individuals perished. This storm caused almost 10,000 gallons of oil to leak into the Gulf of Mexico (K.Hayes.2019.). Millions of animals

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