What conditions are needed for What conditions are needed for hurricanes to form?hurricanes to form?

• Tropical Storms start within 8º and 15º Tropical Storms start within 8º and 15º north and south of the equator where north and south of the equator where surface sea temperatures reach 27ºC. surface sea temperatures reach 27ºC.

• The air above the warm sea is heated The air above the warm sea is heated and rises. This causes low pressure. and rises. This causes low pressure.

• Sea depths of at least 50 metresSea depths of at least 50 metres

Warm water heats the air causing it to rise really Warm water heats the air causing it to rise really quickly, then it gets pushed aside as it cools. quickly, then it gets pushed aside as it cools. This pushing causes the clouds to spin. This pushing causes the clouds to spin.

When does it become a hurricane?When does it become a hurricane? Hurricanes are tropical storms where the winds get Hurricanes are tropical storms where the winds get faster than 118 km/h (73 mph). faster than 118 km/h (73 mph). The storms have a central area of calm known as The storms have a central area of calm known as the "eye", which is the funnel through which the the "eye", which is the funnel through which the warm air rises. warm air rises. Overland, the storms no longer have warm water to Overland, the storms no longer have warm water to power them and die out within a few days, but not power them and die out within a few days, but not before winds do a lot of damage.before winds do a lot of damage.

Task 1Task 1

Plot the track hurricane Katrina took Plot the track hurricane Katrina took using your tracking map and data using your tracking map and data sheet. sheet.

Task 2Task 2

Using an atlas add the names of large Using an atlas add the names of large towns and cities which were in the towns and cities which were in the hurricanes path.hurricanes path.

Task 3Task 3

Which places so you think will have been Which places so you think will have been worst effected by the hurricane and worst effected by the hurricane and why?why?

The HazardsThe Hazards

• Strong windsStrong winds

• Heavy rain Heavy rain

• Storm surgesStorm surges

KatrinaKatrina

Task 4Task 4

From the pictures and information From the pictures and information make bullet point notes on the make bullet point notes on the effectseffects

Hundreds of thousands of people leave the city of New Hundreds of thousands of people leave the city of New Orleans in the southern US, in preparation for Hurricane Orleans in the southern US, in preparation for Hurricane

KatrinaKatrina

Those people who stayed behind gathered at the New Orleans Those people who stayed behind gathered at the New Orleans Super Dome. Super Dome.

High winds brought down trees as far inland as the High winds brought down trees as far inland as the

city of Baton Rougecity of Baton Rouge

The storm was so strong it brought down brick The storm was so strong it brought down brick

structures, crushing these carsstructures, crushing these cars

Lots of the area is below sea level, so it's in danger of Lots of the area is below sea level, so it's in danger of flooding.flooding. Flooding was wide spread across New Orleans.

This man waits on his top floor for rescue in New This man waits on his top floor for rescue in New

OrleansOrleans

Storm surges caused wide spread damage along the coast. In Storm surges caused wide spread damage along the coast. In some places waves were up to eight metres high.some places waves were up to eight metres high.

Storm surges damaged boats and boat yardsStorm surges damaged boats and boat yards

Roads have collapsed which has hampered the rescue operation

There are public heath concerns that disease will spread due to sewage polluted water.

Oil prices are set to rise

So far…So far…

• At least 100 people have diedAt least 100 people have died

• The damage is thought to cost £14bnThe damage is thought to cost £14bn