Hurricanes start as wind gusts gather energy and heat from the open ocean. As the pressure builds, a hurricane forms and rotates counter-clockwise around an eye; its calmest part that is characterized by slight wind and fair weather. At full maturity, a hurricane can cover an area 600 miles across at a rate of 10 to 20 miles per hour, with wind speeds ranging from 75 to 200 miles per hour.
The hurricane season for 2016 officially started on June 1st and is expected to last until November 30th. The highest number of hurricanes forming in the Atlantic basin characterizes the period. Hurricanes, however, do not form only within the hurricane season, as there had been several hurricanes that formed as early as mid-January.
- Subtropical storm Alex was formed on January 13th. Alex is only the second tropical cyclone to form since Hurricane One in 1938. Alex was absorbed on January 17th by a Southern Labrador Sea extratropical cyclone.
- In May, a low-pressure area intensified into Tropical Storm Bonnie. Dry air and high wind caused Bonnie to degenerate into tropical depression after it made a landfall in Charleston, South Carolina. Amid favorable conditions, Bonnie once more strengthened into a tropical storm but finally weakened and dissipated in the next few days.
- Early June of this year saw a low-pressure system entering the Caribbean Sea. On June 5th it was upgraded to Tropical Depression Three and eventually into Tropical Storm Colin. It maintained its intensity until it merged on June 14th with another extratropical cyclone.
- A tropical wave disturbance slowly moved over Yucatan Peninsula on June 14th. As it moved over the warm Bay of Campeche, it spawned a Tropical Depression Four. It continued to build its strength until it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Danielle on June 20th.
- In the month of August, two tropical storms were spawned. Tropical Storm Earl made landfall in Belize on August 4th while a tropical depression on the African western coast was upgraded into Tropical Storm Fiona on August 17th.
It is still a long way before the end of this year’s hurricane season. Hence, we can expect a number of tropical storms and possible hurricanes to visit later in the year. Plan ahead to be prepared for a natural disaster. Protect your family with a commercial powered generator.
A History of Hurricanes
The United States had experienced several deadly hurricanes through its history. Among the deadliest to hit the country was the Great Galveston Hurricane in 1900. It caused an estimated 8,000 deaths. The Okeechobee Hurricane in 1928 claimed an estimated 3,000 lives. The most recent deadly hurricane was Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Katrina killed an estimated 1,500 people. Hurricane Katrina dropped 12 inches of rain inland and spawned more than thirty tornadoes. Hurricane Katrina, while considered only as the third deadliest hurricane to hit the country, is considered the costliest one as it created property damage in excess of $100 billion.
