Polski
In recent days, the Mexico-Caribbean region has experienced extreme weather conditions that have caused serious concern among residents and authorities. The U.S. National Center for the Study of the National Health System. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings for two powerful hurricanes. Where did Hurricane Norma and Hurricane Tammy occur and what dangers did they bring?
Hurricane Norma attacks Mexico
Hurricane Norma formed in the Pacific Ocean off the southern coast of Mexico. Reaching the mainland, it hit tourist destinations such as. Cabo San Lucas, located in the southern part of the California Peninsula already part of Mexican territory. The land-attacking phenomenon was accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall. On October 19, the element was rated as a category four hurricane on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale.
Winds reached speeds of up to 215 km/h. When it reached land three days later, its strength had dropped to approx. 130 km/h, so it was reclassified to the first category, and described as a tropical storm. Hurricane Norma began moving east and northeast to – weakened – reach the west coast of Mexico near the state of Sinaloa on Monday morning and dissipate over land in the afternoon.
Hurricane Norma – effects and risks
Despite the lowered strength of Hurricane Norma, the destructive power of the element made its presence known. Strong winds and massive rainfall caused a lot of damage. It was necessary to declare the threat of floods and mudslides. The southern part of the California peninsula is home to several hundred thousand people and also hosts a large number of tourists for whom Hurricane Norma was a danger. A state of emergency has been declared in the area, and preparations have been made for storms, high waves and rainfall of up to 300-450 l/m2. The wind tore down power lines and knocked down trees. Temporary shelters have been organized in several localities. People in lower-lying areas have been evacuated, other residents and tourists in the affected area have been asked to stay at home. The effects of Hurricane Norma were felt primarily by villagers who were cut off from the world by the rising rivers.
Hurricane Tammy passed over the Leeward Islands
Hurricane Tammy is another element haunting the people of America in recent days. Formed in the Atlantic, initially as a tropical storm, then – after gaining speeds of up to 130 km/h – declared a first-degree hurricane, it began to approach the Caribbean Islands region. First, on October 19, Hurricane Tammy attacked the northern Leeward Islands from the east, then moved over Guadeloupe and Barbuda. The effects of this extreme phenomenon, such as rainfall of up to 100-200 l/m2, were felt until the evening of October 22. Powerful hurricane force winds occurred within 35 kilometers of the center of the storm, and tropical storm force gusts occurred more than 200 kilometers from the center of the storm. There were power outages locally on the islands, but no major damage was reported.
Are hurricanes in the fall a cause for concern?
Hurricanes and tropical storms mainly form in the Pacific between July and September, and in the Atlantic between August and October. The occurrence of hurricanes in October is therefore not unusual and has been occurring for many seasons. What is rare, however, is the occurrence of this phenomenon in this region of the Atlantic in late autumn. According to experts, Tammy may be only the third such hurricane since 1900 and the first since 1966. Its formation is likely the result of unusually high Atlantic water temperatures during the current season. Climate warming not only promotes an increase in ocean temperatures and the occurrence of more high-powered hurricanes, but also the appearance of other unexpected weather phenomena, such as the flash flood in New York.
