The SEEALL Academy Joel RakhamimovClass 601 May 30, 2014A hurricane is a tropical storm exceeding 74 mph in wind speed. It is a low pressure system that forms when there is a warm, humid environment over the ocean. Hurricanes are named for easy identification. The first hurricane of the year begins with the letter "A", the second "B" and continues. Hurricanes are only classified as hurricanes when they have wind speeds of 74 mph or more. There are 3 other classifications that hurricanes can pass through to become hurricanes: a tropical disturbance, a tropical depression (0 to 38 mph), and a tropical storm (38 to 73 mph). Hurricane Sandy weakened from Tropical Depression 18 to Tropical Storm Sandy in October. January 22, 2012. It transformed into a hurricane on the 24th of the same month. It formed near Panama, until it strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on the coast of Jamaica. Shortly after, it hit Cuba as a Category 2. After leaving the Cuban coast, it became a Category 1 hurricane again, where it traveled diagonally. are moving north and hitting New Jersey directly, affecting many other states. Sandy dissipated over Pennsylvania on October 31, 2012. "Sandy could cost $60 billion in property damage and business losses across the country, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in the world." the history of the United States. » -Cameron Keady on an article about children's weather. Sandy's wind speed was a constant 90 mph. Sandy left 8 million people without power and 127 dead. Hurricane Ike formed as a tropical depression in September... middle of newspaper ...... will broadcast important news on television and radio, so it is important to listen to them. Secure your home, this will help you collect flying debris that the winds pick up. Evacuate if authorities tell you to evacuate, or if you live on a coastline, island, or in a mobile home where the hurricane can easily reach you. They know what the storm can do to you, so they protect you from it by ordering an evacuation. Stay indoors and lie down under a solid object if the hurricane is in your area. Once the hurricane has dissipated or moved away from your area, listen to local news for updates. Use flashlights in case of a power outage. If you have been evacuated, return home when authorities say it is safe. Hurricanes are violent tropical storms in which many things are destroyed. But if you know the right ways to protect yourself, the hurricane will affect you very little..