Natural Hazard Predictions

Natural Hazard Predictions

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Define a natural hazard and list common examples related to weather.

• Explain the causes and effects of floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

• Describe ways to reduce the impact of natural hazards on people and property.

• Identify the importance of warning systems and personal safety plans for natural hazards.

Key Vocabulary

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Natural Hazard

A naturally occurring event with negative effects on people or the environment, often causing land changes.

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Tornado

A dangerous rotation of air formed when warm, moist air meets cold, dry air with damaging winds.

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Hurricane

A large, powerful storm with high winds and heavy rain that forms over warm ocean waters.

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Drought

A prolonged period with a lack of rain, leading to water shortages affecting plants and animals.

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Floodgate

A specific type of flood barrier that allows people to control the amount of water flowing through it.

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Lightning Rod

A metal rod that catches lightning and safely conducts its powerful electric current to the ground.

Key Vocabulary

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Seawall

A structure built along a coast to protect cities from high storm surges and destructive ocean waves.

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GPS

The Global Positioning System is a network of satellites that helps track hazardous weather for meteorologists.

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What Are Natural Hazards?

• A natural hazard is a natural event that can harm people or the environment.

• ​Weather-related hazards include tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and droughts.

• Certain hazards are more likely in different regions during specific seasons.

• Scientists research ways to increase warning times for these dangerous events.

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best defines a natural hazard?

• A natural event that can harm people or the environment

• Any event caused by human activity

• A type of season, like winter or summer

• A scientific research project

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between a specific region and the natural hazards it experiences?

• The types of hazards that are likely to occur vary by region and season.

• Every region experiences the exact same hazards.

• Natural hazards only happen during the summer.

• The location of a place has no effect on which hazards happen there.

Multiple Choice

Based on the information, what is the most likely reason that scientists research ways to increase warning times for dangerous events?

• To provide more time for people to prepare or evacuate, which can reduce harm.

• To allow scientists to change the path of a dangerous storm.

• To make weather-related hazards happen less often.

• To help scientists decide which season a hazard will occur in.

Hazards: Floods, Lightning, and Hail

• Floods from heavy rain can cover streets, damage property, and create danger.

• Lightning within a thunderstorm can cause fires and power outages.

• Hail, or falling balls of ice, can injure people and damage property.

Multiple Choice

What is the main characteristic shared by floods, lightning, and hail as described?

• They are all weather events that can cause damage or danger.

• They are all different forms of frozen water.

• They only happen during the winter season.

• They are all caused by high winds.

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between a thunderstorm and the problems it can cause, besides rain?

• It can cause fires and power outages.

• It can cover streets with large amounts of water.

• It can injure people with falling balls of ice.

• It is a direct cause of heavy rain.

Multiple Choice

If a severe storm brings both heavy rain and hail, what is a likely combined outcome for a neighborhood?

• Damage to property from both flooding and falling ice.

• Only power outages caused by lightning.

• Only injuries to people from the hail.

• Only damage to streets from the heavy rain.

Hazards: Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Droughts

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Tornadoes

• Forms when warm, moist air mixes with cold, dry air.

• Creates a dangerous rotation with winds up to 300 mph.

• Causes major damage to property and poses a risk to life.

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Hurricanes

• A large, powerful storm that forms over warm ocean waters.

• High winds and storm surges cause flooding and property damage.

• Heavy rainfall from the storm can cause widespread flooding.

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Droughts

• Caused by a long period with little or no rain or snow.

• Often results from long-term changes in weather patterns.

• Plants die from a lack of water, affecting the entire food web.

Multiple Choice

Which type of hazard is created when warm, moist air and cold, dry air mix together?

• Tornado

• Hurricane

• Drought

• Storm Surge

Multiple Choice

What are the primary causes of widespread flooding during a hurricane?

• High winds and rotating air

• Heavy rainfall and storm surge

• A long period with no snow

• Changes in weather patterns

Multiple Choice

If a long-term change in weather patterns causes a region to receive very little rain for a long time, what is the most likely impact on the ecosystem?

• The entire food web is affected because plants die.

• Property is damaged by high-speed rotating winds.

• Coastal areas are flooded by a powerful storm surge.

• Warm ocean waters create a large, powerful storm.

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Reducing the Impact of Hazards

• Humans cannot prevent natural hazards, but we can reduce their impact to save lives.

• Flood barriers control water, and lightning rods safely direct lightning into the ground.

• Seawalls protect coasts from storm surges, and houses are built on stilts for safety.

• Warning systems use GPS to track weather, which helps issue timely evacuation alerts.

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Multiple Choice

What is the main goal of implementing measures like building seawalls or creating warning systems?

• To reduce the impact of natural hazards and save lives.

• To completely prevent natural hazards from occurring.

• To change the direction and strength of storms.

• To permanently alter the landscape to be safer.

Multiple Choice

How do engineered structures like flood barriers, lightning rods, and seawalls function to protect people?

• By physically blocking or redirecting the hazard.

• By using GPS to issue evacuation alerts.

• By preventing the formation of floods or lightning.

• By making the ground stronger and more stable.

Multiple Choice

A coastal town that frequently floods receives a warning about an approaching hurricane. Which combination of strategies would offer the most effective protection for the community?

• Using warning systems for evacuation alerts and building houses on stilts.

• Installing lightning rods on all tall buildings in the area.

• Relying only on seawalls to stop the incoming water.

• Tracking the storm with GPS but not issuing any alerts.

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Common Misconceptions

Misconception	Correction
You are safe from a flood if you stay in your car.	Cars can be easily swept away, making it an extremely dangerous place to be.
The wind is the only dangerous part of a hurricane.	Storm surge, high waves, and flooding are often more destructive than the wind.
We can prevent natural hazards from happening.	We can take steps to reduce their impacts and protect lives and property.
Lightning never strikes the same place twice.	Lightning can strike the same place multiple times, which is why lightning rods are important.

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Summary

• Natural events like floods and tornadoes become hazards when they impact people.

• We can take proactive steps to reduce the overall impact of natural hazards.

• Engineered solutions and warning systems help protect communities from these hazards.

• A family emergency plan is a crucial step in preparing for a hazard.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about the concepts covered in today's review?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4