Hurricane is a large, violent storm system that produces high winds and heavy rain. It forms when tropical air moves over the ocean. The speed and track of a hurricane depend on complex ocean and atmospheric interactions. Winds blowing away from and toward a hurricane’s low-pressure center shape its path. These winds are known as the Coriolis effect and can create swirling rainbands around a hurricane’s center.

When a hurricane hits, it can cause widespread destruction. The combination of high winds, rain, and storm surge can demolish buildings, destroy roads, rip up seawalls, and wash away beaches. Hurricanes can also trigger flooding inland from rainfall and drenching rains. In addition, high winds can cause damage to roofs and windows.

In the United States, hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale from one to five. The higher the category, the more destructive a hurricane is.

Often hurricanes develop from thunderstorm complexes that move off the coast of Africa and pick up warm ocean water. The warm water fuels the thunderstorms that form and gives the hurricane its energy. When the hurricane reaches a land mass it slows down and may even lose its strength. This stalling increases the time that people in coastal areas have to experience damaging impacts such as high winds, pounding surf, and floods.