Chapter 7Natural Disasters in Florida

VOCABULARY• Natural disaster

• Storm surge

• Wildfire

• Flood

• Drought

• Sink Hole

• Tornado

WHAT IS A NATURAL DISASTER?

• Is a natural event that causes severe or widespread destruction.

• Examples: hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, floods, wildfires.

• Florida has been struck by hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. These have caused great destruction to our state.

HURRICANES• What is a hurricane?

• Storm with powerful winds and heavy rains.

• Water from the ocean and lakes may rush onshore and cause flooding.

• Storm surge- the rush of water that is caused by powerful winds. Rush of ocean water onshore, on the coast.

ANIMATED MODEL OF A HURRICANE

• http://www.tmba.tv/broadcastanimation/weathergraphics/hurricane-science/

- Is a large fire that spreads quickly over a natural area. Wildfires can start by lightning,

arson, or debris burning, especially when land is

dry.

- Dry season runs from Nov/Dec-Apr/May.

- Florida’s landscape is shaped by wildfires.

- Florida’s pinelands and scrubs contain pine

trees. These pine trees have a thick bark and

can withstand wildfires.

Wildfires in Florida

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvPa_yEEd4E

Forest Fire Web Cam!!

Floods• overflowing of water in a normally dry area.• Floods are not only caused by hurricanes, but by

overflowing of rivers or storm surges. • Storm surges are from the ocean or from large lakes.

- Ways to try and control flooding:

- Building Dams- • barrier across a river that redirects the flow of the river into other channels.

• Levees- is a mound of earth that is built around a lake, river, and/or ocean.

Flood Images & Examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7unlPvNxLLA

Video of New Orleans flooding…(I know it’s not Florida!!

- long period of scarce rainfall or dry

weather. Reduces the supply of

groundwater and surface water.

Cause of a drought-dry weather systems that

remain in one place for weeks or months at a

time.

Droughts can cause crop failure and famine

in places people grow their own food.

If drought is severe, water use may be regulated.

Drought

SINKHOLES• Areas of land where

water gathers and cannot drain out.

• Florida is on top of Limestone, which is a porous rock.

• Dirt, sand, & clay on top of the limestone.

• If the stone is “eaten” away the ground will get too heavy & sink!

• Anything on top will sink right in!!

AMAZING SINKHOLES!

HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?FEATURE=PLAYER_DETAILPAGE&V=WVGFJEIXOSA#T=2

YouTube Sinkholes Segment…

Only watching the beginning up until the intro to NOVA

2. Porous Limestone underneath ground gets too much water

1. Continuous precipitation hits Florida

3. A pond will start to form

4. Eventually the ground weakens and sinks

TORNADOES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWh9jV_1ac

• What are they?• How do they form?

• How do they disappear?• Let’s find out!

TORNADOES IN ACTION!

•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeyou7BL_0g

HOW DO WE MEASURE TORNADOES?

Protecting yourself from hazardous weather

Hurricane- weather satellites track hurricanes.-hurricane watch- hurricane conditions expected within 36 hrs.-hurricane warning- hurricane conditions expected

within 24 hrs.- if told to evacuate, leave the area immediately.

Tornado- weather satellites try to predict tornados.-tornado watch- tornado is possible-tornado warning- tornado has been seen in sky or

on weather radar.-safest place to be is in a storm shelter or

basement.Thunderstorm Safety-

-safest place is indoors, try not to touch telephones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures.

-avoid bodies of water

Sun Exposure Safety

The sun is harmful to your skin.

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause sunburn and

may lead to skin cancer.

Here are some things you can do!

- Protect your skin, and limit your time in the sun.

- Use sunscreen, UVA and UVB protection.

- Use hats and sunglasses.- Clouds DO NOT block the sun’s

harmful rays.

Don’t be this guy!