28
Aug

2011

Sunday Morning Statshot with Nick Chu: Hurricanes

Post by Gondola Project

 

Top selling items in advance of Hurricane Charley in 2004: Beer... you guessed it, and Strawberry Poptarts. I better get on it... Image by flickr user Rachel D.

A quick look at some of the things that make hurricanes super deadly in your city:

Top wind speeds Roosevelt Island Tram can operate in: 50 miles per hour

Hurricane wind speeds: 111 miles per hour

Percentage of US population threatened by hurricanes: 12

Most hurricane prone city in Florida: Miami

Number of hurricanes Miami can expect every 12 years: 1

Number of hurricanes projected this year in US: 6

Vital statistics needed to forecast hurricanes: El Nino and La Nina (strong variations in ocean surface temperatures)

Ocean surface temperature variations this year: Neutral

Last time ocean temperatures were neutral: 2005

Result: Hurricane Katrina and Rita

Percentage of New Orleans flooded: 80

Damaged caused: $80 billion

Cost of potential hurricane damage in Eastern Seaboard: $100 billion

Cost of flood insurance in high risk areas: Up to $350,000/year

Median US income: $29,000

Human death toll due to Katrina: 1464

Total hurricane deaths in US between 1970-1999: 589

Deadliest hurricane in history: 1970 Bhola Cyclone

Total fatalities: 500,000

Most dangerous activity during a hurricane: Driving

Percentage of hurricane deaths as a result of storm surges: 90

Percentage of flood-related deaths occurring in vehicles: 80

Feet of water required to float a bus: 6

Number of months New York subway would be out of service if flooded and corroded with hurricane salt waters: Months, Even Years



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