September 20, 2021

A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with wind speeds over 74 mph. Much like a severe tropical storm, a hurricane’s heavy pounding rain and violent fast moving wind can cause widespread destruction. The eye of the storm can be 20-30 miles wide, extending up to 400 miles.

Recently, Hurricane Ida became the 5th largest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland in recorded history. Sadly, it made landfall in Louisiana on what would be the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which claimed the lives of 1,800 residents. Parts of Louisiana , Mississippi, Alabama and Florida all experienced power outages, flooding, and road closures. Officials encouraged residents to evacuate as the Category 4 hurricane approached.

The impact of a hurricane can be devastating depending on the severity and what category storm it is. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was a Category 5 with 125 mph winds but weakened to a Category 3 storm by the time it hit Louisiana. Hurricane Ida was a Category 4 with winds reaching up to 150 mph. The impact wasn’t quite as deadly in Louisiana compared to Katrina, because the levees have been rebuilt after the 2005 deadly hurricane.

The strength of these tropical storms become so dangerous because of their various hazards- high winds, rain and flooding, rising sea levels, flying debris combined with tornadoes- all the elements and characteristics of a deadly storm. Specifically, these recent hurricanes reflect our measures of combating climate change, requiring much more improvement, otherwise as hurricanes grow fiercer, the more disaster unfolds. Families are separated, structures destroyed, causing more lifelong trauma.