Hurricane Jigsaw

Go to this website: http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

Group 1:

Read the section titled Hurricane and Before and answer the questions in your packet.

Group 2:

Read the sections titled During, and After and answer the questions in your packet.

Group 3:

Read the section titled Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and answer the questions in your packet.

Group 4:

Read the section Storm Surge and answer the questions in your packet.

**When everyone is finished you will return to your original desk groups and
explain your topic. While other students are explaining their topics, fill out the worksheet related to that topic.

Group 1: Hurricane and Before

1. Where do hurricanes form? Southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

2. In what direction do hurricanes circulate? Counterclockwise

3. When is hurricane season and when does it peak? June- November; it peaks from mid-August to late October

4. What can a hurricane produce? Tornadoes, floods, landslides, and mudslides 5. How should you prepare for a hurricane? Make an emergency kit and make a family communications plan 6. What should be done for emergencies? Install a generator

Group 2: During, and After

1. List three things you should do if a hurricane is likely in your area: (it can be any of these) -Listen to the radio or TV for information -Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors -Turn off utilities -Turn off propane tanks -Avoid using the phones except for serious emergencies -Moor your boat in time permits -Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purpose -Find out how to keep food safe during and after an emergency 2. When should you evacuate? If directed by local authorities or if you live in a mobile home or temporary structure, if you live in a high-rise, or near the coast 3. What should you do if you become separated from your family? -Use your family communication plan -Contact the American Red Cross 4. Who helps with long term housing needs? FEMA 5. What should you keep away from? Lose or dangling power lines 6. What should never be used inside your home after a hurricane? A generator

Group 3: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

1. What does the scale classify hurricanes into? Five categories based on their sustained wind speed at the indicated time. 2. When are hurricanes considered major hurricanes? Category three or higher 3. What are the wind speeds for each category? Category 1- 74-95mph Category 2- 96-110mph Category 3- 111-129mph Category 4- 130-156mph Category 5- 157mph or higher 4. List two types of damage in each category: (it can be any of these) Category 1 - minor damage to exterior of homes - toppled tree branches, uprooting of smaller trees - extensive damage to power lines; power outages Category 2 - major damage to exterior of homes - uprooting of small trees and many roads blocked - guaranteed power outages for long periods of time- days to weeks Category 3 - extensive damage to exterior of homes - many trees uprooted and many roads blocked - extremely limited availability of water and electricity Category 4 - lost of roof structure and/or some exterior walls - most trees uprooted and most power lines down

isolated residential due to debris pile up power outages lasting for weeks to months

Category 5 - a high percentage of homes will be destroyed - fallen trees and power lines isolate residential areas - power outages lasting for weeks to months - most areas will be uninhabitable

Group 4: Storm Surge

1. The greatest potential for what is caused by storm surge? Loss of life 2. What is storm surge? Water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm 3. What causes hurricane storm tide? Storm surge combined with the normal tides 4. The rise in water level causes what? Severe flooding in coastal areas 5. Why is the danger from storm tides tremendous in the United States? The area of the Atlantic and Gulf Coast coastlines are densely populated and lie less than 10 feet above mean sea level 6. Storm surge combined with wave action causes what? Extensive damage like severely eroded beaches and coastal highways