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What makes some storms more destructive than others?

Politiko 2024-10-09 20:00:54

About 14 tropical storms develop each year over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, according to the United States Weather Service.
Of these storms, seven will become hurricanes, writes the BBC .
Not all of these will reach land - most will remain over the ocean.
But some, like Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit the Florida coast Wednesday evening, end up making landfall, with major life-threatening impacts.

A storm needs tropical conditions to develop into a hurricane - specifically, warm waters of at least 27 C (80 F). It then intensifies and begins to rotate due to a phenomenon known as the Coriolis force, a product of our planet's rotation.
The speed at which these storms spin determines what category the hurricane will be - and how much impact it can cause.
Dr Carmen Solana, an expert in natural disasters at the University of Portsmouth, says wind speed is "very important" in terms of devastation.
Strong winds often cause the most damage to buildings and structures, and they can pick up debris that creates further impacts.
Structures that can withstand high winds and are hurricane-resistant can make a big difference in the overall impact of a storm, so countries with codes and regulations in place tend to see less of this type of destruction than those who do not do this.
Strong winds and debris can affect key infrastructure, as well as cut off areas from emergency services and other important resources.

Rising water levels and heavy rainfall, leading to floods and landslides, and storms can also affect local infrastructure.
"The way cities are designed, built and developed massively affects the city's ability to drain water," says Dr Helen Hooker, a meteorologist at the University of Reading.
Larger urban areas can experience flash flooding, while mountainous regions often suffer other damaging effects such as landslides.
These strong currents can also carry heavy pieces of debris, leading to further damage.
"A mattress or a desk that moves around is like having a stone that moves with water," says Dr Hooker.
Some cities, known as sponge cities, are built with a focus on green spaces that can absorb water and reduce the impact of heavy rainfall.
Although hurricanes are known for their wind speed, the vast majority of deaths are caused by water hazards such as storm surges, floods, and mudslides, which account for nearly 90% of those killed in hurricanes.
Especially in coastal areas, such as Florida, storm surges can be one of the deadliest consequences of a hurricane.
The US National Hurricane Center is warning that Hurricane Milton could bring a record storm surge of 10-15ft (3-4.5m), as well as localized rainfall of up to 1.5ft.
This comes just two weeks after Hurricane Helene brought historic flooding and a storm surge of more than 50 feet (15 meters) as it passed through the southeastern US.

While the US has experienced a number of powerful storms in the past, it is able to recover from these disasters much more efficiently than poorer countries.
This comes from a number of factors, including geographic location, housing and infrastructure, and the financial and physical resources available for reconstruction.
Preparation can also make a significant difference in the impact of these storms and how quickly communities are able to rebuild afterward.