Hurricane Dorian | 02 Sep 2019

Recently the Hurricane Dorian became the strongest storm in modern records to hit the northwestern Bahamas (a country in the Caribbean Islands).

Hurricane Dorian

  • It is an extremely powerful tropical cyclone currently affecting the Bahamas and threatening the Southeastern United States.
  • It is developed from a tropical wave in the Central Atlantic.
  • It is categorised as a Category 5 storm on Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS) with maximum sustained winds of 285 km per hour.

Hurricanes

  • A Hurricane is a tropical cyclone that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
  • These are formed over the warm ocean waters near the equator.
  • Hurricanes typically form between 5 to 15 degrees latitude north and south of the equator.
  • Hurricanes are known to be one of nature's most destructive storms as they bring heavy rains, deadly waves and fierce winds.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

  • The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage.
Category Sustained Winds Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds
1 119-153 km/h Very dangerous winds will produce some damage
2 154-177 km/h Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage
3 (major) 178-208 km/h Devastating damage will occur
4 (major) 209-251 km/h Catastrophic damage will occur
5 (major) 252 km/h or higher Catastrophic damage will occur


Source: TH