A Description of Hurricanes free essay sample

Alexander Mazariego Informative Outline II Topic: Hurricanes Audience:Classmates and Instructor of Summer semester Communications class at Austin Peay University. General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose:To inform my audience of what a hurricane is, background information on some of the worst hurricanes in history and how to prepare for a one. Thesis: Hurricanes are one of the worst natural disasters but with a little bit of knowledge and some preparation you can greatly improve your chances of coming out of a hurricane unscathed. I. Introduction A. Attention Getter: Early Monday morning six years ago one of the worst natural disasters to ever occur in the United States took place. On that fateful morning a city that is known for its good times and crazy outlandish behavior was forever being changed by Hurricane Katrina. B. Reason to Listen: The more you know about hurricanes, the better your chances of surviving and while minimizing the danger you put yourself in. C. Thesis Statement: The more knowledge you have and with a good plan you can help minimize the dangers of a hurricane.D. Credibility Statement: 1. Living in Florida most of my life, I have experienced many hurricanes. 2. I have done research and put plans into action during a hurricane. E. Preview of Main Point: 1. First, I will discuss what a hurricane is and the different stages of one. 2. Second, I talk about some of the worst hurricanes ever to be recorded. 3. Lastly, I will give you some advice on how to prepare and make a plan that could help minimize the dangers you will face when going through a hurricane.II. Hurricanes are one of the worst natural disasters but with a little bit of knowledge and some preparation you can greatly improve your chances of coming out of a hurricane unscathed. A. Hurricanes are tropical storms that have sustained wind speed of 75 mph or greater. They are formed over warm ocean waters, usually beginning in the Caribbean and slowly drifting westward. They are fueled by warm waters, the warm, moist air moves to the center of the storm and begins to spiral upward.As the updraft sucks up more and more water vapor, it begins to strengthen the storm and will continue to strengthen it until reaching cooler water or makes landfall. 1. There are three different stages to a hurricane. a. A tropical depression is a disturbance with a clearly defined low pressure area. With a max wind speed of 38 mph. b. Tropical storms are defined by its distinct low pressure area that is well defined by a rotating circulation with winds of 39-73 mph.The storm becomes a hurricane when it reaches a constant wind speed of 75 mph or greater. At this point hurricanes are broken down to 5 different categories. 1- Minimal, 2- moderate, 3- Extensive, 4- Extreme, 5- Catastrophic. Transition: I have just informed you on how a hurricane is created and the different stages and category of one, now let’s talk about some of the worst hurricanes ever to be recorded. B. Hurricanes are one of the world’s worst natural disasters. Here is an example of 3 of the worst hurricanes in history. . Hurricane Pauline in 1997 was one of the most destructive Pacific hurricanes to hit land in Mexico. Pauline dropped a relentless amount of rain on Mexico, some parts seeing up to 16†, causing deadly landslides roughly 400 people and leaving over 300,000 people homeless. It caused over 7. 5 billion dollars in destruction. 2. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 was the only named storm of that season. Striking Miami, Florida at an average wind speed of 130 mph. Hurricane Andrew was a category 4 hurricane when it made landfall.It caused damages in the neighborhood of 30 billion dollars. 3. As I am sure we all remember Hurricane Katrina was the worst natural disaster to ever happen to the united states in history. The storm was a category 5 hurricane and shortly before madding landfall it weakened to become a category 3 hurricane. Hurricane Katrina claimed the lives of 1,836 people in the actual hurricane and numerous more afterwards. It caused over 81 billion dollars in damages making it the costliest natural disaster to ever occur in the US.Transition: Now that you know how a hurricane is created and how deadly they can be, let`s talk about ways you prepare for them. C. With the right amount of knowledge and a plan you can better your chances of surviving through a hurricane. 1. It is always a good idea to have a plan. You should plan an evacuation route, if you don’t want to leave designate your basement or a room in the house that does not have windows or any kind of glass, where you will stage up and ride out the hurricane in. 2.Stock up on can goods and other non-perishable foods and be sure to have plenty of water bottled water, be sure to pack blankets, clothes, batteries, flashlights, battery operated handheld radios and other essential items, you never know how long you may be without electricity and you never know the damage it may cause. 3. The news channels will give issue warning when a hurricane is approaching the first one will be a hurricane watch which is issued 36 hours in advance the second is a hurricane warning which is issued with 24 hours or less remaining.Monitor radios and news channels so you are up to date on all information. III. Conclusion A. Review of Main Points: 1. Today I first spoke about how a hurricane is created. 2. Secondly, I gave you a brief history on 3 of the worst hurricanes ever to be recorded. 3. Finally, I shared tips and information on things you can do to help prepare yourself for surviving a hurricane. B. Restate Thesis: Hurricanes are one of the worst natural disasters but with a little bit of knowledge and some preparation you can greatly improve your chances of coming out of a hurricane unscathed.