GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -High winds, storm surge, flooding and tornadoes cause damage to houses and cars that are in the path of a hurricane.

Detailed explanation-2: -For all United States hurricanes, Hurricane Katrina (2005, $190.0B*) is the costliest storm on record. Hurricane Harvey (2017, $151.3B*) ranks second, Hurricane Ian (2022, $112.9B*) ranks third, Hurricane Maria (2017, $108.9B*) ranks fourth, and Hurricane Sandy (2012, $83.9B*) ranks fifth.

Detailed explanation-3: -The destructive power of storm surge and large battering waves can result in loss of life, buildings destroyed, beach and dune erosion and road and bridge damage along the coast. Storm surge can travel several miles inland. In estuaries and bayous, salt water intrusion endangers public health and the environment.

Detailed explanation-4: -The areas most at risk are the Caribbean island countries north of Trinidad (73 strikes by major hurricanes between 1900 and 1988), Mexico and the southeastern United States, Central America north of Panama, and to a limited extent the northern coast of South America (Tomblin, 1979).

Detailed explanation-5: -Category 5 Hurricane: catastrophic damage will occur Hurricanes in the highest hurricane category cause near total destruction. A large number of homes and buildings will be completely destroyed. Areas hit by this level of hurricane will lack power and water and be uninhabitable for weeks or months.