Destructive hurricanes in Russia: causes, consequences

People who live on the planet in different epochs have repeatedly faced diverse disasters, not the least of which is occupied by tornadoes and their derivatives. The wind - the element is very powerful, it is difficult to argue with this. His strength is enough to demolish almost any man-made structures, to lift into the air and carry vehicles, objects and people for long distances. Large-scale catastrophes of this kind occur relatively infrequently, so any hurricane, tornado, typhoon or tornado is an extraordinary event that attracts world attention.

Hurricanes: causes of natural disasters

What is a hurricane? This phenomenon is caused by a wind of great speed. The emergence of hurricanes Is simply explained: the wind appears because of the difference in atmospheric pressure. And the more expressive the amplitude of pressure, the greater the strength of the wind. The direction of the air flow is from the area of increased pressure to the place with lower indicators. Typically, the causes of hurricanes - cyclones and anticyclones, which quickly move from place to place. Cyclones differ in reduced pressure, anticyclones, on the contrary, increased. The winds in such huge air masses blow in different directions, depending on the hemisphere.

Relatively speaking, any hurricane is an air whirlpool. The causes of hurricanes are reduced to the appearance of a low-pressure region, into which air rushes at a frenzied speed. There are such phenomena throughout any season, but in Russia they most often appear in the summer.

Tornado, storm, hurricane: differences

Strong winds can be called differently: typhoons, hurricanes, storms, tornadoes or storms. They differ not only in name but also in speed, mode of education and duration. For example, a storm is the weakest windy hypostasis. The wind during the storm blows at a speed of about 20 m / s. The phenomenon lasts up to several days in a row, and the coverage area is more than a hundred kilometers, while a hurricane can rage for about 12 days, bringing chaos and destruction. At the same time, a whirlwind flies at a speed of 30 m / s.

About the tornado, which long-suffering Americans call a tornado, it is worth mentioning separately. It is a mesocyclone, an air vortex, the pressure in the center of which drops to a record low. The funnel in the form of a trunk or whip during the movement increases and, sucking in itself the ground and objects, changes color to a darker one. The wind speed exceeds 50 m / s, possessing huge destructive power. The diameter of the vortex column is sometimes hundreds of meters. The pillar that descends from a thundercloud cloud draws in objects, cars and buildings with a truly gigantic force. Tornado captures sometimes hundreds of kilometers, destroying everything that will be on the road.

Hurricanes, storms, tornadoes are sometimes observed on Russian territory. In particular, hurricanes are most often found in the northern regions: Kamchatka, Khabarovsk Territory, Chukotka, Sakhalin Island. But tornadoes in Russia - a phenomenon infrequent. One of the first mentions of this phenomenon dates back to the 15th century. Significant destruction brought also a tornado in 1984 in the city of Ivanovo. And in 2004 and 2009, the whirlwind did not cause serious damage.

Strong winds on the territory of Russia

Although tornadoes in Russia are rare, but hurricanes and storms, of course, there are. In strength, they are, fortunately, not as significant as the famous "Camilla" or "Katrina," but also lead to destruction and casualties. In addition to the above, it is worth noting the most notable hurricanes in Russia.

Russian size

Based on the above information, we can conclude: there are hurricanes in Russia, but their scale is incomparable to those that rage in other parts of the world. Why is nature so merciful to Russian expanses? The consequences of hurricanes in the Russian territories are certainly painful for the victims, but still not as fatal and voluminous as in the US or Australia. The fact is that for the emergence of a hurricane, it is necessary that the air, filled with heat and water particles, come in contact with the cold one. And this must necessarily happen over a cool surface. Therefore, most often tornadoes and hurricanes occur in the coastal areas of the southern seas. Russia does not fit into such a scheme.

"When the ocean shines ..."

Hurricane on the sea is called a storm. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Admiral of the English fleet, named Beaufort, developed a special scale, with which the force of the wind was measured to this day. This assessment system operates both on the sea and on land. The scale has a 12-point gradation. Already with 4 points the waves rise to a height of one and a half meters, then it is already impossible to speak with the wind, and it's very difficult to walk against the air flow. In a 9-point storm, the wind grows to 24 m / s, and the waves reach a height of 10 meters. The maximum, 12-point hurricane destroys everything in its path. Small and medium-sized ships are the first to hit, for which there is almost no chance to survive in such a wind. The sea is wildly foaming and raging. The hurricane rushes at a speed of over 32 m / s.

The typhoon has a relation to the oceans. It is a cyclone that appears over the surface of the Atlantic, and its name is in Asia. In the translation, the word means too strong a wind. To the Sakhalin region, up to eight typhoons fall throughout the year. There are also Pacific hurricanes-typhoons. This kind of element has the most catastrophic consequences. Some tropical cyclones are called super-typhoons because of their eccentricity and terrible strength. An example of such a hurricane is a typhoon called "Georgia". He suddenly collapsed in 1970 to the south of Sakhalin and mercilessly demolished everything that is possible. Unfortunately, it was not possible to avoid the victims.

The most deadly hurricanes of the world

Examples of hurricanes even in the last 20 years we can observe often. The ten most destructive ones included such elements as:

• "Pauline", raging on the territory of Mexico in 1997.
• Mitch, which in 1998 destroyed the countries of Central America; The strength of the hurricane reached at times 320 km / h, human victims were estimated at tens of thousands.
• Hurricane of the 5th category "Kenna" destroyed the city of Nayarit; The wind tore up the trees with roots, ruined buildings and roads, and only by a lucky chance people did not perish.
• The typhoon "Ivan" attacked the countries of the Caribbean and the USA in 2004 and caused a billion-dollar damage.
• "Wilma" destroyed the coasts of Cuba and the United States in 2005; She claimed 62 human lives.
• A huge vortex with a length of 900 km swept over the expanses of the USA in 2008; During the 14 hours of the wildfire, a great deal of damage was inflicted; The wind of such power was called "Ike".
• "Charlie" in 2004 strolled in Jamaica, Cuba and the United States; The wind power reached 240 km / h.
• In 2012, a hurricane named Sendi killed 113 people; The elements raged in the east of the USA, especially the state of New York.

Tornado with female character

It is interesting that the most devastating consequences of hurricanes are observed from those elements that are called women's names. These are the most capricious and unpredictable hurricanes, reminiscent of a lady in a hysterical fit. Maybe this is a prejudice, but judge for yourself:

1. One of the most terrible hurricanes in the whole history is "Katrina". This deadly wind hit the US in 2005. Extensive floods, about 2 thousand human lives, hundreds of missing people - this is a tribute collected by the elements in that fateful year.
2. An earlier, but no less terrible hurricane in 1970 struck India and Bangladesh. They called it strange - "Flea". More than 500 thousand people died from floods, provoked by an unprecedented storm.
3. A Chinese typhoon with the romantic name "Nina" wiped off a large dam of Bankiao from the face of the earth, which caused a flood, as a result of which, according to approximate calculations, 230 thousand people died.
4. "Camilla" swept over the Mississippi in 1969. Meteorologists could not measure the strength of the wind, as the instruments were destroyed by the turbulent elements. It is assumed that the hurricane gusts reached 340 km / h. Hundreds of bridges were damaged, many houses, 113 people drowned, thousands were injured.

For the sake of justice, it should be noted that the most terrible hurricane, named San Calixto, has nothing to do with women's names. Nevertheless, he became the most deadly of the registered. Tens of thousands of people died, almost all buildings were destroyed, the wind tore the bark from the trees, before tearing them up with roots. A huge tsunami washed away everything that was blocking her path. Modern experts believe that the strength of the hurricane was at least 350 km / h. This terrible event occurred in 1780 in the Caribbean.

Storm! The storm is coming soon! Or how to measure the strength of a tornado

In order to measure the strength of the wind, again use the Beaufort scale, somewhat modified, refined and augmented. The device, called an anemometer, determines the speed of air flows. For example, the last hurricane, "Patricia", recorded in Texas, had a force of 325 km / h. This was enough to demolish a large train.

The destructive force of the wind begins with 8 points. This corresponds to an airspeed of 60 km / h. With this wind, thick trees break down. Then the wind increases to 70-90 km / h and begins to demolish the fences and small structures. A 10-point storm tears trees with roots and destroys the capital buildings. The wind strength reaches 100-110 km / h. Strengthening, the elements drop iron wagons, like matchboxes, piling pillars. Hurricane with a capacity of 12 points produces total destruction, rushing at a speed of over 130 km / h. So deadly hurricanes in Russia, fortunately, are extremely rare.

Catastrophic consequences

Hurricane - a serious element, so immediately after the wind stops, you should not leave the shelter, you have to wait a few hours before you go out into the world. The consequences of tornadoes, hurricanes, storms are very impressive. These are felled trees, torn roofs, flooded collectors, destroyed roads, damaged power poles. In addition, the waves caused by the wind can turn into a tsunami that sweeps everything alive and built by people. When dams are destroyed, global floods are unavoidable, and if waste water enters reservoirs with drinking water, it often provokes an uncontrolled growth of infectious diseases and even epidemics.

But life will gradually begin to recover, because rescue and rescue units will take over for work, which ordinary people can also help. To minimize the consequences as much as possible, and at least to avoid human casualties, there are rules of conduct before, during and after the disaster.

Rules of behavior in extreme natural conditions

Proper and thoughtful actions in the hurricane Can save a life both to the person, and its relatives. After meteorologists detect a hurricane and calculate its trajectory, this information is necessarily communicated to the public. Usually a standard "Warning!" Signal is sent over all channels of television, broadcasting and the necessary public information is transmitted.

The preparatory stage includes the following actions:

• The sources of information remain included so as not to miss important points;
• Pupils must be sent home without fail;
• If the hurricane is already beginning to rage, then the students take cover in the basement;
• It is necessary to prepare water, food and medicine supplies for about 3 days;
• Lanterns, lamps, candles, portable ovens must necessarily be available;
• The glass is pasted crosswise or in the form of a star;
• Showcases are protected by large shields;
• The balconies are cleaned of objects and rubbish that can be carried by the wind;
• Windowsills should be empty;
• In villages, cattle are driven into a fortified cowshed, equipped with a supply of food and water; Summer buildings are attached as far as possible;
• The windows on the windward side are tightly closed, while from the opposite side, they remain open.

What actions should a hurricane have to do after hearing about its approach? First, turn off electrical appliances and gas stoves, fix the cranes. Secondly, take a suitcase with the most necessary things and documents. Further stocks of products, medicines, water move to a safe haven and take refuge there with your family. If there is no such shelter, then in the house it is necessary to hide under reliable furniture, in niches, doorways. In no case should you go to windows that need to be shaded beforehand.

In the event that the elements found in an open area, any ravine or depression could serve as a refuge. An excellent shelter may be bridges, or rather places under them. We must stay away from billboards, torn wires, narrow aisles (danger of crowds), lowlands, since there is a possibility of flooding. Before the hurricane, it is necessary to agree with relatives about the venue in case of various unforeseen circumstances.

After the completion of the disaster:

• Do not ignite matches, since gas leakage is not excluded;
• Do not use untreated water, as it may be heavily soiled;
• You should find out if your neighbors do not need first aid.

Hurricanes in Russia happen infrequently, but it is necessary to know these rules, because natural disasters, due to climatic changes, tend to change their localization.