| Many people think that severe hurricane activity is a | | | | Virgin Islands, 24 deaths in the Caribbean and 21 |
| recent trend. In actuality, studies show that the | | | | deaths in the United States. This hurricane caused at |
| United States has been a target of violent hurricanes | | | | least $8 billion in damages.In 2005 the United States |
| thru ought its history. To appreciate the full | | | | was hit with what will be remembered as one of the |
| destructive power of hurricanes, a look at the history | | | | most devastating hurricanes in American history. On |
| of hurricane activity in the past hundred years is | | | | August 23, a few hundred miles south east of the |
| necessary.Over a century ago, Texas was hit by a | | | | Bahamas, a tropical storm that was eventually known |
| hurricane so strong that it caused the deaths of | | | | as Katrina formed. The very next day it moved |
| thousands of people. This was before hurricanes | | | | through the northern Bahamas before turning |
| were actually named, so it became known simply as | | | | towards southern Florida. After moving over the |
| the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 due to the fact that | | | | Miami-Date/Broward county line late on August 26, |
| it first made landfall at Galveston, Texas. Not much is | | | | the storm intensified and became a Category 5 |
| known about the hurricane before it made landfall | | | | hurricane. On August 28, Hurricane Katrina made |
| simply because the United States did not have any | | | | landfall near Buras, Louisiana. The maximum winds of |
| sophisticated weather monitoring systems in place at | | | | the storm was estimated at 125 mph when it made |
| that time. Once the storm hit the U.S. coastline, it | | | | landfall a second time around the Louisiana/Mississippi |
| became the worst weather disaster in United States | | | | border.Although Hurricane Katrina was not the most |
| history. The storm tides measured from 8 to 15 feet | | | | powerful storm to ever hit the United States, it was |
| high and completely swept over Galveston Island, not | | | | the most costly. When everything was over, at least |
| to mention much of the nearby Texas coastline. This | | | | 1,200 deaths were recorded. Storm surge caused by |
| storm was responsible for the deaths of over 10,000 | | | | the storm breached the levees at New Orleans and |
| people. Furthermore, property damage was | | | | caused catastrophic damage to most parts of the |
| estimated at roughly $30 million.In 1919, the | | | | city. This storm occurred towards the end of the |
| Atlantic-Gulf Hurricane slammed into Texas on | | | | 2005 hurricane season. At the beginning of the 2006 |
| September 14. The storm brought with it storm | | | | season, the damage that was caused was so severe |
| surges of up to 12 feet. Although few air pressure | | | | (at least $75 billion) that the city of New Orleans and |
| measurements still exist from this incident, a ship that | | | | much of the surrounding areas have still not |
| was anchored near the Dry Tortugas recorded a | | | | recovered.Most people think that the only dangers a |
| measurement of 27.37 inches. This makes the 1919 | | | | hurricane poses are before and immediately after the |
| storm the third most intense in United States history. | | | | storm strikes. Usually, the damage that a hurricane |
| The storm caused almost 900 deaths, the loss of 10 | | | | causes are forgotten by most people once the |
| ships and over $22 million in damages.In 1938, the | | | | storm dissipates. Unfortunately, the after effects can |
| northern United States was subjected to the New | | | | be felt long after the storm leaves an area. The |
| England Hurricane of 1938. | | | | problems that the hurricanes cause can take months |
| Storm surges swept over coastline stretching from | | | | or even years to fully recover from. It is not unheard |
| Long Island to Narragansett Bay in Massachusetts. | | | | of for people to go without power for days or even |
| This storm was responsible for over 600 deaths and | | | | weeks if they live within the disaster area of a |
| about $308 million in property damages.In 1954 | | | | storm.With proper preparation, any family can |
| Hurricane Hazel battered multiple countries with wind | | | | weather a hurricane. Important things to remember |
| speeds of around 106 and gusts of 130 to 150 mph | | | | when preparing for a hurricane are:-House Preparation: |
| along the Carolina coastline. After this, it hit | | | | Make sure all windows and potentially flimsy doors |
| Washington D.C. with speeds of 78 mph, with gusts | | | | are taped to prevent severe shattering. Remove lose |
| of over 90 mph recorded as far north as New York. | | | | debris from outside the home, these can turn into |
| All together, Hurricane Hazel caused 400 to 1,000 | | | | dangerous objects when the winds |
| deaths in Haiti, 100 deaths in Canada, and almost 100 | | | | rise.-Communication: Keep every line of |
| more deaths in the United States. In the end, this | | | | communication open. This means having battery |
| storm caused roughly $381 million in damages across | | | | operated radios and televisions handy. This will allow |
| 3 countries.More recently, Hurricane Alicia in 1983 hit | | | | you to get all of the latest weather and evacuation |
| the gulf coast in mid-August. With sustained speeds | | | | related news as quickly as possible. If the authorities |
| of 96 mph and gusts of over 125 mph, this storm | | | | order an evacuation, be sure to tell family and friends |
| system brought major destruction along its entire | | | | elsewhere your destination. Also, if the authorities do |
| path. Additionally, the hurricane spawned no less than | | | | order an evacuation, be ready to move because |
| 23 tornadoes.One of the costliest storms in United | | | | they frequently have access to much more accurate |
| States history was Hurricane Hugo. It hit the South | | | | data than you do.-Survival Gear: Make sure you have |
| Carolina coastline in 1989. On September 18, the | | | | plenty of food stuffs, medical supplies and other |
| storm passed over the Leeward Islands and St. Croix | | | | essential items that you may need for at least a few |
| in the atlantic. Then it turned northward, and | | | | days.-Backup Power: Many people forget about this |
| strengthened in the last 12 hours before striking | | | | last point. Equipping your home with a reliable backup |
| Charleston, SC on September 22. Sustained winds of | | | | power source can save you a lot of headaches later. |
| at least 104 mph were reported, with gusts going as | | | | Those suffering from the after affects of a hurricane |
| high as 120 mph. All told, Hurricane Hugo was | | | | many times have to go without vital services for |
| responsible for 5 deaths in Puerto Rico and the U.S. | | | | extended amount of time. |