Hurricane Structure
Hurricanes are known by other names, such as typhoons or cyclones, depending on where they occur. The scientific name for all these storms is tropical cyclone. Only tropical cyclones that form over the Atlantic Ocean or eastern Pacific Ocean are called “hurricanes”. They occur in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas. Usually parts of Southwest United States and the Pacific Coast experience the heaviest rains and floods each year. Hurricanes require plenty of warm, moist air to form showers and thunderstorms, along with winds that don't change direction much with height, which allows the central circulation to develop undisturbed. If these atmospheric conditions are right, then hurricane strength is dictated largely by the presence or absence of deep, warm ocean water. Hurricanes are uncontrollable and should be taken seriously and one needs to take steps to protect their families and property from any storm. In dealing with hurricanes it is best to be prepared for the worst even if a hurricane doesn't officially make landfall, its effects can be drastic.
Resources:
Hurricanes-NASA Video Gallery. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?collection_id=85401
Hurricaneology: What is Eyewall? The Weather Channel Video. Retrieved from
http://www.weather.com/weather/videos/storms-42/hurricaneology-639/hurricaneology-what-is-an-eyewall-29888