Traditionally, the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea or Gulf of Mexico make for ideal hurricane conditions. Hawaii is a tropical island grouping amid warm waters and, while not as warm as the previous bodies of water mentioned, doesn’t have a cool water barrier, like the state of California which staves off the devastation of hurricanes. So, one of the first things to note when looking at what makes the hurricanes of Hawaii different than other is that the waters are not as warm so the frequency and strength of those storms in or around Hawaii is less than elsewhere. Continue reading ‘How Hawaii Hurricanes are Different’
Monthly Archive for October, 2008
Throughout the years, Hawaii has been victim to many hurricanes, although it is not as common in these tropical waters as in other coastal regions of the world. Since 1950, Hawaii has been affected by numerous tropical storms and hurricanes, although the islands have only officially been struck by a total of five hurricanes. Other hurricanes have come close to the islands of Hawaii over the years, causing increased rain, wind, and surf. Continue reading ‘Past Hawaii Hurricanes by the Numbers’
As most people can tell you, the shear destructive force of hurricanes and tropical storms that sometimes plague the Hawaiian Islands is nothing to be trifled with. Nonetheless, we find people each and every year facing the storm in a twist on extreme sports, tempting and challenging both fate and nature. It happens along every shore where these dangerous storms occur. Even the Great Lakes, no host for tropical cyclones or hurricanes, but no stranger to severe thunderstorms are often filled with thrill seekers just before, after, and even during a storm to take on Mother Nature. Continue reading ‘Hawaii Presents Rich Surf when Storms Arise’
Those who live along the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea can attest to the destructive force of hurricanes. Each year, their shores are beset by some of the most ravaging storms known to mankind. From the small tropical depression all the way up to a category 5 hurricane, these storms are relatively abundant in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Continue reading ‘Hawaii Hurricanes Less Frequent’
While the islands of Hawaii rarely see hurricanes, particularly the massively devastating storms of the Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico, there existence is still quite the possibility while visiting or living on the tropical islands. It is important to keep a handful of important safety tips in mind to help prevent serious harm or even death from the hazardous conditions caused by hurricanes of Hawaii. Continue reading ‘Hawaii Hurricane Preparedness & Safety’
Moving to Hawaii? If you plan on buying or building a home, you will want to be sure that you are properly covered in the event of a flood, fire, earthquake, hurricane or other tragedy. Many home owners don’t realize it, but Hawaii has both flood and hurricane insurance, which are separate policies. Flood insurance and hurricane insurance in Hawaii cover two separate types of damage and having one does not mean you have the other. Be sure that you’re covered and talk to your representative today. Continue reading ‘Hawaii Hurricane Insurance: Know the Facts’
Still the strongest hurricane to have hit Hawaii in recorded history, Hurricane Iniki caused over $2 billion in damages. The storm struck on September 11th, 1992. This hurricane came during the strong El Nino that carried on between 1991 and 1994. This was the same year catastrophic Hurricane Andrew hit Florida and the eastern seaboard. A total of 11 tropical storms were tracked during the 1992 storm season for the eastern Pacific.
Continue reading ‘Hurricane Iniki Devastates Hawaii’
Tropical storm, cyclone, typhoon, tornado, these may all seem to be similar conditions. To an extent, they are. At the same time, each of these storms has their own, particular facets that cause them to be different. Hawaii is no stranger to hurricanes or tropical storms, but what makes them different from one another? What makes a hurricane in Hawaii a hurricane?
A hurricane occurs east of the International Dateline and over the Atlantic Basin. Over the Indian Ocean, the same storm would be called a cyclone and hurricanes that threaten the Pacific Northwest such as Japan and the Philippines are called typhoons.
Hurricanes are a severe sort of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term. Tropical cyclones are grouped into three categories of storms. The tropical depression is an loosely organized storm front with clouds and thunderstorms accompanied by winds of up to 38 mph. A tropical storm is an organized system of clouds and strong thunderstorms with circulating winds that reach speeds between 39 and 73 mph. The hurricane is an intense storm system with strong circulating winds that measure 74 mph or greater.
There are actually 5 different categories of hurricane, on a scale known as the Saffir-Simpson, ranging from category 1 to category 5, each category adding to the defined intensity of the hurricane. Most hurricanes that have hit Hawaii are of the category 1 variety. Even as less intensive storms, there are dangers, and those dangers rise pending on the exact area they hit, based on topography and population.