Natural Disasters COS Identify ways to prepare for

Natural Disasters COS: Identify ways to prepare for natural disasters in the United States. Examples: preparing for earthquakes by identifying structural needs of homes before building, constructing houses on stilts in flood-prone areas, buying earthquake and flood insurance, providing hurricane or tornado shelters, establishing evacuation routes

What is a Natural Disaster? Natural disasters are natural (as opposed to man-made) events that kill people or damage property or the environment. There are many different kinds of natural disasters, some of which are very common. Read more: What Is a Natural Disaster for Kids? | e. How. com http: //www. ehow. com/facts_7154750_natural-disasterkids_. html#ixzz 2 Lmg. CVVDp

Examples of Natural Disasters q. Tornadoes q. Hurricanes q. Tsunamis q. Floods q. Volcanoes q. Earthquakes q. Violent Storms q. Fires

Tornadoes q A tornado is a violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. q The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of up to 300 mph. They can destroy large buildings, uproot trees and hurl vehicles hundreds of yards. q Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide to 50 miles long. q In an average year, 1000 tornadoes are reported nationwide.

Effects of Tornadoes

Hurricanes q A hurricane is a huge severe storm over the tropics (oceans). q It can be up to 600 miles across and have strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds of 75 to 200 mph. q Hurricanes rotate in a counterclockwise direction around an "eye" in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere. q The center of the storm or "eye" is the calmest part. q Hurricanes produce heavy rain, large waves, high winds and sometimes tornadoes http: //www. weatherwizkids. com/weather-hurricane. htm

Effects of Hurricanes Hurricane Katrina, 2005 Hurricane Sandy, 2012 Hurricane Ivan, 2004 Famous Hurricanes

Tsunamis q Tsunamis form as a result of earthquakes, volcanoes or landslides under the ocean q In March 2011, the Tohoku earthquake off the eastern coast of Japan caused a tsunami that was a major factor in the death of over 15000 people. More Tsunami Facts q Waves grow taller as they reach the coast

Earthquakes q Earthquakes are the shaking, rolling or sudden shock of the earth’s surface. q They are the Earth's natural means of releasing stress. q More than a million earthquakes rattle the world each year. q The West Coast is most at risk of having an earthquake, but earthquakes can happen in the Midwest and along the East Coast. q Earthquakes can be felt over large areas although they usually last less than one minute. q Earthquakes cannot be predicted - although scientists are working on it!

Weather Safety Preparedness Use this link for weather safety tips for you and your family