Главная страница | Контакты | Случайная страница Автомобили Астрономия Биология География Дом и сад Другие языки Другое Информатика История Культура Литература Логика Математика Медицина Металлургия Механика Образование Охрана труда Педагогика Политика Право Психология Религия Риторика Социология Спорт Строительство Технология Туризм Физика Философия Финансы Химия Черчение Экология Экономика Электроника

Text 14. Hurricane Hazards

The ingredients for a hurricane include a pre-existing weather disturbance, warm tropical oceans, moisture, and relatively light winds aloft. If the right conditions persist long enough, they can combine to produce the violent winds, incredible waves, torrential rains, and floods we associate with this phenomenon.

Each year, an average of ten tropical storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Many of these remain over the ocean. Six of these storms become hurricanes each year. In an average 3-year period, roughly five hurricanes strike the United States coastline, killing approximately 50 to 100 people anywhere from Texas to Maine. Of these, two are typically major hurricanes (winds greater than 110 mph).

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth’s surface.

The main hazards associated with tropical cyclones and especially hurricanes are storm surge, high winds, heavy rain, and flooding, as well as tornadoes. The surge of high water topped by waves is devastating. Along the coast, storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property. Hurricane winds not only damage structures, but the barrage of debris the carry is quite dangerous to anyone unfortunate enough (or unwise enough) to be caught out in them. Tropical cyclones frequently produce huge amounts of rain, and flooding can be a significant problem, particularly for inland communities. A typical hurricane brings at least 6 to 12 inches of rainfall to the area it crosses. The resulting floods cause considerable damage and loss of life, especially in mountainous areas where heavy rains mean flash floods and can also result in devastating mudslides.

These hazards can bring other consequences not directly related to the storm. For example, hurricane-related deaths and injuries are often the result of fires started by candles used when the electricity fails. Heart attacks and accidents frequently occur during the clean-up phase. And depending on the industrial facilities in your area, hurricane damage might cause chemical spills that could make the disaster even worse.

I. Say if the statements are true or false:

1. The main hazards associated with tropical cyclones and especially hurricanes are storm surge, high winds, as well as tornadoes.
2. In an average 13-year period, roughly five hurricanes strike the United States coastline, killing approximately 50 to 100 people.
3. Hurricane damage might cause chemical spills that could

make the disaster even worse.

1. A hurricane is a type of acid rain that forms in the tropic.
2. Tropical cyclones frequently produce huge amounts of rain, and snow storms can be a significant problem, particularly for inland communities.
3. Heavy rains mean flash floods and can also result in

devastating mudslides.

II. Answer the following questions:

1. What is hurricane?
2. In what area do tropical storms develop?
3. What are main hazards associated with?
4. What kind of damage does hurricane cause?
5. Are all the hazards related to hurricane?