The SEEALL Academy Joel RakhamimovClass 601 May 30, 2014A hurricane is a tropical storm that exceeds 74 mph wind speeds. It is a low pressure system that forms when there is a warm, humid environment over the ocean. Hurricanes have a name to easily identify them. The first hurricane of the year begins with the letter "A", the second with "B" and continues. Hurricanes are only classified as hurricanes when they have wind speeds of 74 mph or more. There are 3 other classifications that hurricanes go through to become hurricanes: a tropical disturbance, a tropical depression (0-38 mph), and a tropical storm (38-73 mph). Hurricane Sandy transitioned from Tropical Depression 18 to Tropical Storm Sandy in October. 22, 2012. It turned into a hurricane on the 24th of the same month. It formed near Panama, until it developed into a Category 1 hurricane on the coast of Jamaica and, not long after, hit Cuba as a Category 2 hurricane. After leaving the Cuban coast, it returned to a hurricane Category 1, where it traveled diagonally to move north and directly hit New Jersey, hitting several other states in the process. Sandy dissipated in Pennsylvania on October 31, 2012. "Sandy could cost $60 billion in property damage and lost business nationwide, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history." -Cameron Keady in an article on Time for Kids. Sandy's wind speed was a steady 90 mph. Sandy left 8 million people without electricity and 127 dead. Hurricane Ike formed as a tropical depression in September...... mid-newspaper ...... will broadcast important information on TV and radio, so it's important to listen. Protect your home, this will help you from flying debris picked up by the winds. Evacuate if authorities tell you to evacuate or if you live on a coast, island or in a mobile home where the hurricane can easily reach you. They know what the storm can do to you, so they protect you by ordering an evacuation. Stay indoors and lie down under a strong object if the hurricane is in your area. After the hurricane dissipates or moves away from your area, listen to local news for updates. Use flashlights if you run out of power. If you have been evacuated, return home when authorities say it is safe. Hurricanes are violent tropical storms in which many things are destroyed. But if you know the right ways to be safe, the hurricane will affect you minimally.