Storm Watch: 12 Interesting Facts About Hurricanes

Hurricanes are devastating storms, but they are also quite interesting. From how fast their windspeeds can travel to how often hurricanes strike, here are some unbelievable facts about hurricanes:

1. Hurricane Irma held 7 trillion watts of energy, which is twice as much as all the bombs used throughout World War II. Additionally, Irma was the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history. It was a Category 5 storm with 185 mile-per-hour winds for 37 hours.
2. Impact glass doors and windows can withstand hurricane-force winds that travel more than 100 miles per hour. Hurricane impact glass doors are great for home protection. Impact resistant windows and glass door systems need to be installed in every structure in hurricane-risk states.
3. In 1994, a single named storm lasted about 30 days in the Pacific Ocean before finally fizzling.
4. The most extreme forward speed that has ever been recorded for a hurricane was Hurricane Emily in 1987, moving at nearly 70 miles per hour.
5. During the 20th century, 158 hurricanes struck the United States. 57 hit Florida and 26 hit Texas.
6. Hurricanes develop over warm water and use it as an energy source. Conversely, hurricanes lose strength as they move over land.
7. Despite some misconceptions, a hurricane’s eye is actually quite calm.
8. Over the last 200 years, hurricanes have led to the death of around 2 million people.
9. A single hurricane stirs up millions of miles of air and can dump more than 2.4 trillion gallons of rain a day.
10. The eye of a hurricane can be anywhere from 2 miles in diameter to over 200 miles but they are usually around 30 miles.
11. The largest hurricane on record is Typhoon Tip, which occurred in 1979 in the Pacific. This storm was nearly half the size of the United States.
12. Hurricanes often spawn tornadoes. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 actually spawned 62 tornadoes.

If you want to learn more about protecting your home from hurricanes and major storms, purchase impact glass doors and windows, or consult with door and window manufacturers in Florida, give Engineering Glass Systems a call.