What?
A hurricane is a great rotating storm with winds faster than 74miles per hour (119km per hour) that forms over the ocean in warm areas.

Why?
Hurricanes can develop when the water in the sea is warmer than 26°C (80°F).

The warmth from the sea heats the air above. As the warm air rises, cool air is pulled in to replace it. The wind that this makes can sometimes start to spin very fast, creating a hurricane.

What are the effects?
Most hurricane damage is caused by the strong winds and heavy rains that they bring.

Other damage can be caused by storm surges - giant waves similar to a tsunami. A storm surge is what happens when the wind is so strong that it pushes a mound of water along with the hurricane. When this water hits the coast it can cause very bad flooding and even more damage.

Hurricane Fact:
The same phenomena that is referred to as a 'hurricane' in the North Atlantic Ocean and parts of the Eastern Pacific Oceans, is known as a 'typhoon' or 'cyclone' elsewhere in the world.

How can ShelterBox help?
The damage caused by hurricanes is generally worst in areas along the coast. Buildings can be completely destroyed by the extreme winds, flying debris, and flooding.
In many areas vulnerable to hurricanes, early warning systems are used so that people can be evacuated in advance.
ShelterBox can provide the emergency accommodation needed to house such evacuees.
In October 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused very bad damage along the Gulf Coast of the United States of America.
New Orleans was one of the worst -hit areas, with the storm devastating the entire city. As well as helping the poorer families without shelter, ShelterBox also gave a number of tents to police officers and other officials who had lost their homes so that they could get back to their jobs and try to make the city safe again.