Storm and Wildfire Hazards
Tropical storms need very specific conditions to form: ocean temperatures of 26-27°C, being at least 5° from the equator, and low air pressure. These massive weather systems create high winds up to 300km/h, storm surges, and flooding that can devastate coastal communities.
The Saffir-Simpson Scale measures storm intensity from 1-5 based on wind speed. These storms follow seasonal patterns—June to November in the Northern Hemisphere, November to April in the Southern. Satellite tracking helps predict their routes, giving communities time to prepare.
Wildfires might seem less dramatic than storms, but they're incredibly destructive. They need three things: fuel (dry vegetation), climate (hot, dry conditions), and ignition (lightning, human activity, or volcanic eruptions). Ground fires burn beneath the surface, surface fires consume low plants, and crown fires leap from treetop to treetop.
🔥 Surprising fact: Wildfires actually have ecological benefits—they clear disease and help seeds germinate.
Both storms and wildfires create cascading problems. Primary impacts include deaths, displacement, and infrastructure damage. Secondary impacts involve soil erosion, increased inequality, slower economic development, and contribution to climate change. Prevention focuses on early warning systems, evacuation planning, and community education.