Natural Disasters : Hurricane Harvey As A Natural Disaster

Hurricanes have been appearing more throughout the years and causing more damage than ever to homes. Hurricane experts who study these changes try to make theories on why there are increases in cyclone activity. Some blame global warming, while others say it is the warm air mixing with the cold air that promotes favorable tropical cyclone development. The world is occasionally changing and nowadays, it can be anything from carbon monoxide from vehicles or aerosols being released into the atmosphere that creates a warmer planet and in turn, deadlier hurricanes. The strength of hurricanes usually increases as they make landfall and if the wind or water does not destroy a home, something that the hurricane picks up and lays right through one’s home can. People who find themselves in the aftermath of a

The U.S. has suffered from many Natural Disasters from Hurricane Katrina to wildfires in California. When it comes too natural disasters Hurricanes are by far one of the most devastating. The results can be catastrophic, possibly leaving the death tolls in thousands and leaving millions homeless. Even though the U.S. has responded to and recovered from Hurricanes, Meteorologists are presently not able to predict them early enough, and the U.S. government is unprepared financially, and responsively. Being well prepared for a hurricane is critical to saving peoples lives and their well-being. The government needs to do more not for just hurricanes but any disaster.

THESIS STATEMENT: One of nature’s most powerful and destructive storms are hurricanes. Although they can be deadly to humans and animals and have been known to cause extensive destruction, they also play a very important and beneficial role on Earth.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1-5 category based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. This scale estimates the potential property damage. Category 3,4 and 5 Hurricanes are considered major hurricanes because of their potential to be deadly and damaging (Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale).

The Saffur-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a scale made up of 5 categories of Hurricanes. The categories are ordered by the speed of the Hurricane.

Before I looked into this topic of these crazy natural disasters I did not know that much about Hurricanes and all that imply. When Br. Little gave me the option to choose whatever natural disaster case I want this was easily my first choice. I have used information from cites but will probably will most likely be quotes because I cannot summarize science all that much so if it looks like plagiarism it was not intended to be. As we were talking about it in class it really interested me and how much it can impact a city or a country. Hurricanes are so fascinating to me. As we were talking about it in class it really interested me and how much it can impact a city or a country. We get the term Hurricane from the word ‘Taino’ a Native American word meaning “evil spirit of the wind” (40 Facts About Hurricanes - Conserve Energy Future).

It is relatively easy to see a hurricane's strength using the Saffir-Simpson scale; just measure the wind speed, or do a little bit of math to find the wind speed. To calculate the hurricane's strength using a new index, the Cyclone Potential Index made at the National Center of Atmospheric Research in Colorado, you need to incorporate a few more variables, such as sustained wind speed, atmospheric winds, speed of the hurricane’s movements, size, or more. This scale was made to more accurately represent a hurricane’s power. On the scale, Hurricane Katrina was a 4.9, Harvey was 5.2, and Irma is a 5.3.

Hurricane Harvey left a mark on Houston, Texas this past August, leaving the citizens with a devastating amount of destruction to their city. This catastrophic storm destroyed homes, separated thousands of people from their families, and even killed some. According to National Public Radio’s website, the White House has estimated over 100,000 homes were damaged by the storm. Also, NPR stated, “More than 30,000 people are staying in emergency shelters and will soon be in need of permanent accommodations.” The impact that this hurricane left on Houston was extensive, and the nation was able to see this through all of the news reports and through social media. The United States came together during this time of trouble and helped tremendously, and they are continuing to help in any way they can. Coming together as one is completely necessary after a tragedy like Hurricane Harvey, but more can be done prior to the storm to prevent the extreme amount of damage that can be caused. Being educated on how each family can prepare themselves, including knowing how evacuations are handled, and their homes is crucial when dealing with a threatening hurricane.

Hurricanes can be one of the most deadly and most expensive natural disasters; there are many ways people can prepare for it. Preparation is key to surviving one of these disasters. In order to prepare for such a phenomenon, people can secure their homes, inform your family and make an evacuation plan, and purchase enough supplies to prepare for the worst.

Natural disasters evoke the feelings of fear and worry in the minds of millions. Although, mother nature does not limit natural disasters to hurricanes and earthquakes – other concealed disasters still produce detrimental and fatal aftermaths. Hurricanes, one of the popular natural disasters, has ‘violent winds’ and can be categorized from one to five, one being weakest and five potentially murderous. The aftermath of these hurricanes is overwhelming and heartbreaking – witnessing what was once a home now wrecked and destroyed leaves hundreds powerless, unclean water and some homeless. With these uncontrollable storms accompanied by vicious winds the affected ones express a vivid outcry for help.

The common consensus that most people form about natural disasters are usually derived from the physical aspects related to destruction. The most appropriate synopsis of a natural disaster accounts for the cultural, economic, and structural damage inflicted upon the affected areas. A prime example of how a massive natural disaster affects multiple facets of a person’s life was shown explicitly throughout the course of Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest and most costly hurricanes to date. The effects from the natural disaster have caused insurmountable damage to the affected families that range from one’s mental health to their economic standings. Furthermore, the preventative actions and recovery efforts that were implemented for Hurricane Katrina also exposed many deficiencies within the current natural disaster awareness programs. Due to the extreme impact that Hurricane Katrina had on the Gulf of Mexico, the public attention that was dedicated to reporting the catastrophic result ultimately shed light on the other aspects that a natural disaster can affect. Hurricane Katrina ruined the economic profitability of the coastal businesses, relocated families, decreased the racial divide, and caused an ongoing recovery process.

The devastating natural disaster that was Hurricane Harvey occurred along the Gulf Coast, affecting states such as Texas and Louisiana, along with other North American countries such as Belize, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Hurricane Harvey reached the Gulf Coast on August 25th, 2017, and its effects are still lasting to today (Long, 2017). The destruction of this massive storm affected many families as it ruined infrastructure, and left loved ones stranded from one another (Long, 2017). While Hurricane Harvey disrupted life for everyone in its destructive path, people of lower economic status were inequitably impacted the most (Long, 2017). Perhaps this is because they had less resources to evacuate before the storm, and after the fact, did not have as much funds to repair the damage.

On August 25, 2017, category 4 Hurricane Harvey hit Texas with 130mph winds, and stayed for four days in Houston, Texas. Houston was 25-30% flooded. It damaged over two hundred thousand homes, and almost thirteen thousand homes we’re destroyed. The people of Houston did not know that the hurricane was going to hit them directly. Thus, they were not warned or notified to seek any shelter, so they remained in their homes with their families. During and after Hurricane Harvey, thousands of families were trying to escape their homes to safer grounds and shelters after realizing their homes were starting to flood inside. Most houses we’re flooded to the top of the roof of their houses. The average amount of children rescued to shelters were more than 40%.

The devastating effects of a hurricane has happened a lot this year with more to come. Florida is the number one state that is at rick; however, any city near coastal areas is vulnerable. A hurricane occurs when the warm ocean water provides the energy the storm needs to become a hurricane. Another ingredient is wind that doesn’t change much in speed, or direction as they go into the sky. Hurricanes are more predictable than tornadoes. The weather men and women will let you know when they will arrive and if you should evacuate. Many people do not have the means, or money, to relocate. They too are lucky to leave with their lives. Hurricane Harvey took 82 lives, and Irma’s death toll has risen to 26 with many injuries. Many properties were destroyed, and it will take years to recover.

Hurricanes are very powerful. They can range vastly in size, power and destructive capability. Hurricanes come in five categories. Each category is stronger than the last and the higher the category the bigger the hurricane is. Category 1 hurricanes have sustained winds that range from 75 to 95 miles per hour(Stewart) and can cause minor damage to man made structures. Category 2 hurricanes are a little bigger, with wind that ranges from 96 to 110 miles per hour(Stewart) and can damage homes but not destroy them.. Category 3 hurricanes have winds that range from 111 to 130 miles per hour(Stewart). Category 3 hurricanes can rip trees from the ground and destroy small houses and other small man made structures.