Hurricane Katrina was a powerful storm that caused catastrophic damage. It formed over warm ocean waters and gained strength through rising moist air which caused lower pressure and caused the air to spin into the iconic spiral shape. Satellites helped forecasters monitor Katrina from space as it moved toward New Orleans, making landfall as a dangerous Category 3 storm, bringing severe winds and a deadly storm surge that flooded much of the city. People were advised to prepare disaster kits and evacuation plans for the 2011 hurricane season.

1. Hurricane Katrina

2. What’s in a Name? Hurricane– kind of storm scientists refer to as a strong tropical cyclone Typhoon-- when the same kind of storm occurs in the western North Pacific Ocean Cyclone— when the same kind of storm occurs in the southwest Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean

3. Where Are Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones Born?

4. Hurricane Categories

5. Hurricane Katrina Hits Land

6. How do Hurricanes Form? Tropical cyclones are like giant engines that use warm, moist air as fuel. That is why they form only over warm ocean waters near the equator. The warm, moist air over the ocean rises upward from near the surface. Because this air moves up and away from the surface, there is less air left near the surface—causing a steep drop in barometric pressure

7. What Causes Hurricanes to Spin? As the warm air continues to rise, the surrounding air swirls in to take its place. As the warmed, moist air rises and cools off, the water in the air forms clouds. The whole system of clouds and wind spins and grows into the different category of storms.

8. What is the Eye of Storm? As the storm system rotates faster and faster, an eye forms in the center. It is very calm and clear in the eye, with very low air pressure. Higher pressure air from above flows down into the eye.

9. How Hurricane Katrina Moved?

10. Hurricane Katrina Moves Toward New Orleans, Louisiana

11. How Weather Satellites Help Weather Forecasters

12. How Satellites Record Information Weather satellites carry instruments called radiometers (radio waves, not cameras) that scan the Earth to form images. These instruments have small telescopes/ antenna/scanning mechanisms and infrared detectors These and other systems monitor weather systems around the world.

13. Two Types of Satellites are Needed Near and Far from the Earth Captured measurements are transmitted to receiving stations on the ground. Data are then sent to various weather forecast centers around the world

14. How do Satellites Work and Help Everyday

15. What is Predicted for Hurricane Season 2011

16. How to Be Prepared for 2011 Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind. Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community. Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles. Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.

17. Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate. Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911. Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors. Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

19. References