Hurricanes are the most violent storms on Earth. Often nicknamed typhoons or cyclones, depending on where they occur. They use warm, moist air as fuel, which is why they form only over warm ocean waters near the equator. The warm, moist air over the ocean rises upward from near the surface abd causes an area of lower air pressure below. Air from surrounding areas with higher air pressure pushes in to the low pressure area. Then that "new" air becomes warm and moist and rises, too. As the warm air continues to rise, the surrounding air swirls in to take its place. As the warmed, moist air rises and cools off, the water in the air forms clouds. The whole system of clouds and wind spins and grows, fed by the ocean's heat and water evaporating from the surface.
| Category | Wind Speed | Damage at Landfall | StormSurge (Feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74-79 | Minimal | 4-5 |
| 2 | 96-110 | Moderate | 6-8 |
| 3 | 111-130 | Extensive | 9-12 |
| 4 | 131-155 | Extreme | 13-18 |
| 5 | Over 155 | Catastrophic | 19+ |