What makes hurricanes so dangerous

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Select all Unselect all. At the same time, hurricanes are moving more slowly, making more damage possible. The damage we've seen from catastrophic hurricanes in recent years shows we need science more than ever to help us prepare for — and act on — climate change. Every day more than 60 people sign up for news and alerts, to find out when their support helps most. Will you join them? Read our privacy policy.

How climate change makes hurricanes more destructive. Warmer oceans fuel storms So why do hurricanes bring more rain in a warmer climate?

Atlantic and Eastern Pacific hurricanes are classified into five categories according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , which estimates potential property damage according to the hurricane's sustained wind speed. The strong winds of a tropical cyclone can cause dangerous waves that pose a significant hazard to mariners and coastal residents and visitors. When the waves break along the coast, they can produce deadly rip currents - even at large distances from the storm. Rip currents are channeled currents of water flowing away from shore, usually extending past the line of breaking waves, that can pull even the strongest swimmers away from shore.

In , despite the fact that Hurricane Bertha was more than a 1, miles offshore, the storm resulted in rip currents that killed three people along the New Jersey coast and required 1, lifeguard rescues in Ocean City, Maryland, over a 1 week period. In , all six deaths in the United States directly attributable to tropical cyclones occurred as the result of drowning from large waves or strong rip currents. Hurricanes and tropical storms can also produce tornadoes.

These tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane; however, they can also occur near the eyewall. Usually, tornadoes produced by tropical cyclones are relatively weak and short-lived, but they still pose a significant threat. Disclaimer Information Quality Help Glossary.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.