In 2017, there was an increased severity of storms and increased amount of hurricanes. There are observed records that there is a correlation between tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and the Power Dissipation Index (PDI), which is the measure of hurricane activity, combining frequency, intensity, and durations of hurricanes in a single index. There is a trend of increased named hurricanes starting in 2014 up to 2017.
There are many factors to contribute why there were so many hurricanes, and storms have been emerging. One factor due to ocean heat content (the measure of heat stored by the ocean) and sea surface temperatures which affects the Atlantic’s temperature leading to weaker winds which causes less evaporation. Another factor that could potentially contribute is climate change. Data indicates that warmer climates could increase the severity of storms, the increased amount of storms, and heavier rainfall. Climate change also causes sea-level to rise which causes cities to become more vulnerable to storm surge and flooding. This is evident with Harvey in Houston and Maria in Puerto Rico. Although climate change is not proven to be the cause of the many hurricanes and storms, there is definitely a correlation.
Hurricane Harvey:
On August 25, Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm, with 130-mph winds hit Rockport, Texas. Besides the wind, Harvey caused disastrous flooding in Houston, causing thousands to be displaced and 82 deaths. With many buildings along the coast destroyed, hundreds of thousands were without power. The flooding is the worst in U.S. history. Along with the heavy rainfall, dams spilled their capacity which further added to the floods. There was an average of 3-4 feet of rain in the entire metro Houston area. There are estimates of $125 billion in damage due to Hurricane Harvey.
Hurricane Irma:
Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 status, with 185-mph winds stormed towards Florida. Irma is one of the strongest hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. Before Irma even reached Florida, Irma killed two in the Caribbean Islands and then going to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Irma weakened to a tropical storm as it moved northwest of Florida into Georgia and Alabama. Millions of Floridians had no electricity. Thousands of people evacuated the southern coast of Florida to evade Irma’s winds and torrential downpour. It is estimated that the costs of Irma are roughly $100 billion.
Hurricane Maria:
After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and Louisiana and Irma blasted through the Caribbean into Florida, many people were relieved and believed the worst was over. They started to focus on recovery, however, the worst was not over yet. Hurricane Maria was predicted to take the same path that Irma had hit. Puerto Rico was predicted to take a direct hit from the storm, and it did. When Maria hit, everything became dysfunctional simultaneously. The power grid, cellphone towers, and banking system all failed to work. Even before Maria hit, Puerto Rico had already been struggling economically. According to Time, Hurricane Maria left at least 48 people dead.
Due to the increased number and severity of storms, scientists have been wondering whether or not the hurricane season of 2017 shows any indication for warning signals for future hurricane seasons. According to meteorologist Kerry Emanuel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology “it is hard to tease out a climate signal with statistical confidence” based on the 2017 season, but human-influenced climate change “is expected to lead to a greater incidence of high-intensity hurricanes” will increase flooding due to the rising sea levels and add to hurricane-driven storm surges.
WHIRLING INTO CHAOS
By: Tiffany Lei
By: Tiffany Lei