Natural Hazards
Natural hazards are basically nature's way of reminding us who's really in charge. These are natural events that can cause serious damage, destruction, and death. The hazard risk is simply how likely it is that one of these events will actually happen.
Hurricanes (also called typhoons or cyclones depending on where they occur) are massive spinning storms that form over warm oceans. They need water temperatures of at least 27°C and specific wind conditions to develop. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 showed just how devastating these can be - it killed over 100 people in Mississippi alone and caused $89 billion in damage.
Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that typically happen during hot, dry summers in forested areas like the US, Canada, and Australia. They can start naturally from lightning strikes or be caused by human carelessness. Firefighters use special tools like the Pulaski and create firebreaks to contain them.
Both hurricanes and wildfires have defences - from building homes on stilts in hurricane zones to keeping trees away from roofs in fire-prone areas. The key is being prepared and understanding the risks in your area.
Did You Know: A storm surge - the wall of water pushed inland by hurricane winds - is often more deadly than the wind itself!