Hurricane Archives - Disasters News

Apr142025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Hurricane Lab Breakthrough Miami Scientists Unlock Secrets of Wave Growth in Extreme Winds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a first-of-its-kind experiment scientists at the University of Miami’s SUSTAIN (SUrge‐Structure Atmosphere INteraction) lab have taken a major leap in understanding how ocean waves form and grow under extreme wind conditions including hurricanes. This pioneering research offers fresh insights into the air-sea interaction process, which is key to improving weather forecasts, hurricane modeling, and coastal resilience planning. The study, conducted in the university’s high-tech wind-wave tank capable of simulating Category 5 hurricane-force winds, captured a high-resolution profile of air pressure and airflow above moving water. Using a combination of Constant Temperature Anemometry, Particle Image Velocimetry, and Multi-beam Imaging, the team measured more than 1,000 data points per s...

Apr42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Four Hurricane Names Retired After Storm Destruction Across Americas WMO Replaces

Breaking News, Climate Actions

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially retired four hurricane names from the 2024 season Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John after these powerful storms caused major destruction and loss of life across the Americas. These names will never be used again due to the severe damage they brought to countries like the U.S., Mexico, and Caribbean nations. In their place, new names have been chosen: Brianna, Holly, and Miguel for the Atlantic region, and Jake for the eastern Pacific. Hurricane names are retired when a storm is so deadly or expensive that using the same name again in the future would be disrespectful to victims or confusing to the public. This is part of a global effort to improve public safety and disaster communication. Michael Brennan, Chair of the WMO Hu...

Mar132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Why Hurricanes Never Cross the Equator: The Science Behind the Mystery

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

Hurricanes known as typhoons in the Pacific and cyclones in the Indian Ocean are immensely powerful storms, drawing their energy from warm tropical waters. These violent systems unleash destructive winds, torrential rains, and deadly storm surges, yet there’s one place on Earth they never cross: the equator. The reason lies in the Coriolis effect, a force created by Earth's rotation. This effect causes storms in the Northern Hemisphere to spin counterclockwise and in the Southern Hemisphere to spin clockwise. However, at the equator, the Coriolis effect is nearly zero, preventing hurricanes from forming or gaining the necessary spin to sustain themselves. Even storms that form near the equator are steered away before they can cross it. According to Mathew Barlow, a professor at the U...

Jan142025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Harris County’s Coordinated Response: Supporting Vulnerable Residents During Hurricane Beryl and the Derecho

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl and the May 2024 derecho, Harris County demonstrated the effectiveness of proactive planning and coordinated efforts to support vulnerable residents. These incidents caused extensive damage, widespread power outages, and significant challenges for the community. By leveraging the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR), the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) provided critical aid to those in need. What is STEAR? The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) was established to identify and assist residents with disabilities, medical needs, and other challenges during emergencies. Registered residents receive wellness checks, medical aid, and logistical support during disasters. Faci...

Sep282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Death Toll from Hurricane Helene Rises to 33 as Storm Devastates Southeastern US

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The death toll from Hurricane Helene climbed to at least 33 on Friday as the southeastern United States grappled with widespread flooding and destruction caused by the massive storm. After making landfall near Florida’s capital, Tallahassee, Helene wreaked havoc across multiple states, leaving millions without power and prompting large-scale rescue operations. The storm, which began as a Category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 140 mph (225 kph), has weakened to a tropical depression but continues to batter states with life-threatening rain and winds. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of catastrophic flooding across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Some regions of the Appalachian Mountains were forecast to receive up to 20 inches of rain. Widespread Da...

Jun32024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

NASA Shares Stunning Image of Hurricane Idalia Captured from Space

Breaking News, Disasters

NASA's Instagram account recently showcased a breathtaking image of Hurricane Idalia, taken from the International Space Station (ISS). This image, posted by NASA Earth, highlights the agency's efforts in observing and studying hurricanes from space to better understand the impacts of climate change and improve community preparedness for tropical cyclones. In the image, part of the ISS is visible on the left, framing the large white spiral of Hurricane Idalia. The photograph was captured on August 23, 2023, by the ISS's external high-definition camera. At the time, Idalia was a Category 1 storm over the Gulf of Mexico, with sustained winds of 140 kilometers (85 miles) per hour. As the storm progressed northward, it rapidly intensified and made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Au...

Feb82024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Calls for New Category 6 Classification as Hurricanes Grow Stronger Amid Climate Crisis

Breaking News, Disasters

As hurricanes become increasingly powerful due to the climate crisis, scientists are urging for the expansion of the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale to include a new category 6 designation, capable of encompassing storms with sustained winds exceeding 192mph. Researchers, led by Michael Wehner of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and James Kossin of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have proposed this new classification in response to the escalating intensity of hurricanes fueled by global heating. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study argues that the existing scale, developed in the 1970s, fails to adequately capture the extreme ferocity of these mega-hurricanes, which pose unprecedented threats to life and property. While hurricanes ha...