Natural Hazards in Maryland

If a tornado watch is issued for your area, what does that mean?

• A tornado is occuring- take cover!

• The conditions are right for a tornado to occur

What does a blizzard warning mean?

• a winter storm is headed for your area, stay in doors

• low visibility of less than 1/4 mile due to falling and/or blowing snow, and winds at least 35 mph) are expected for at least 3 hours, dangerous wind chill, seek shelter

• a storm is possible in your area, avoid unnecessary travel, stay home if possible

• Heavy, wet snow will fall within the hour, hurry and run out for essential items, quick!

How is a flash flood different from a regular flood?

• A flash flood overflow of water onto normally dry land, and takes several days or weeks.

• Flash floods are only caused by thunderstorms.

• A flash flood occur in a very short amount of time after an excessive rainfall.

• there is NO difference

What does magnitude actually measure?

• How deep below the surface an earthquake occured

• How wide the effect of the earthquake was felt.

• How much energy the earthquake released.

Two key ingredients of a hurricane are

• Low Pressure

• High Pressure

• Warm Ocean Water

• Cold Ocean Water

Maryland is usually impacted by hurricanes between __ and __.

• September and October

• June and September

• June and November

• August and October

_________________ is when sea level rises at the coast line due to a hurricane

• The Coriolis Effect

• Continental Drift

• Storm surge

• Eye wall

A Category 5 hurricane has the highest wind speed and causes the most severe damage.

• TRUE

• FALSE

What happens to the strength of a hurricane as it moves northward, up the east coast?

• It will usually weaken

• it will increase in intensity

• it stays the same and is unaffected

Why do hurricanes weaken as they move northward, up the east coast toward Maryland?

• As they move northward the air becomes more moist...

• As they move northward the water becomes cooler...