Natural Hazards

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The number of hurricanes expected to occur during a 100-year period based on historical data—light blue area, 20 to 40; dark blue area, 40 to 60; red area, more than 60. Map not to scale. Source: the National Atlas and the USGS
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Natural Hazards - Hurricanes

Hurricanes bring destructive winds, storm surge, torrential rain, flooding, and tornadoes. A single storm can wreak havoc on coastal and inland communities and on natural areas over thousands of square miles.

In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma demonstrated the devastation that hurricanes can inflict and the importance of hurricane hazards research and preparedness.

More than half of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of a coast, and this number is increasing. Many of these areas, especially the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, will be in the direct path of future hurricanes. Hawaii is also vulnerable to hurricanes.

USGS Hurricane Related News (USGS Newsroom)

Introduction
June Science Picks -- Leads, Feeds and Story Seeds
Released: 6/10/2009
Tracking Down Storm Surge
June Science Picks -- Leads, Feeds and Story Seeds
Released: 6/10/2009
Streamflow Info that Weathers the Storm
June Science Picks -- Leads, Feeds and Story Seeds
Released: 6/10/2009
Gearing Up for Future Hurricanes
June Science Picks -- Leads, Feeds and Story Seeds
Released: 6/10/2009
Health Risks from Storms: Swirling Soils and Debris
June Science Picks -- Leads, Feeds and Story Seeds
Released: 6/10/2009

View more news related to Hurricanes

NOAA: National Hurricane Center (Atlantic)

Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook
 000 ABNT20 KNHC 041152 TWOAT TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 800 AM EDT SAT JUL 4 2009 FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO... SHOWER ACTIVITY HAS INCREASED THIS MORNING IN ASSOCIATION WITH A NON-TROPICAL AREA OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED ABOUT 800 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES. HOWEVER...UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN UNFAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM AS IT MOVES EASTWARD NEAR 10 MPH TOWARD COOLER WATERS. THERE IS A LOW CHANCE...LESS THAN 30 PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL OR SUBTROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. $$ FORECASTER BEVEN
There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
No tropical cyclones as of Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:44:51 GMT

NOAA: National Hurricane Center (East Pacific)

East Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook
 000 ABPZ20 KNHC 041142 TWOEP TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 500 AM PDT SAT JUL 4 2009 FOR THE EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC...EAST OF 140 DEGREES WEST LONGITUDE.. SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES SOUTHWEST OF ACAPULCO MEXICO REMAINS DISORGANIZED. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE CONDUCIVE FOR SLOW DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS IT MOVES WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AT 5 TO 10 MPH. THERE IS A LOW CHANCE...LESS THAN 30 PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. $$ FORECASTER BEVEN
There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
No tropical cyclones as of Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:44:51 GMT

Highlighted Hurricane Resources

Select the next to each link to open that item in a new window.

Hurricane and Extreme Storm Studies
Investigating the extent and causes of coastal impacts of hurricanes and extreme storms on the coasts of the United States.
National Wetlands Research Center
The mission of National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC) is to develop and disseminate scientific information needed for understanding the ecology and values of our Nation’s wetlands and for managing and restoring wetlands, coastal habitats, and associated plant and animal communities.
Hurricane Hazards—A National Threat
A fact sheet about hurricanes and the danger they pose to Nation.
Hurricane Related Podcasts: USGS CoreCast
Podcasts, from the USGS CoreCast, related to hurricanes.
Mapping Coastal Change Hazards
Providing information on the mapping of coastal hazards such as hurricanes.
USGS Responds to Hurricanes (Katrina, Rita, and Wilma)
The U.S. Geological Survey continues to mobilize equipment and personnel to gather the scientific data and information on the impact of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.

USGS Storm Team

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URL: http://www.usgs.gov/hazards/hurricanes/default.asp
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Page Last Modified: Wednesday, June 03, 2009