In the previous section you have found out how energy from water can be harnessed by people for a positive effect. Water can also have a very destructive effect on our world when large amounts of it are unleashed in storms or flooding.
Hurricanes are very dangerous storms that have very high winds. Each year, in certain parts of the world, they cause a lot of damage and can even kill. Read through the following articles and find out how the energy from warm water can cause these terrible storms.
- CBBC Newsround Hurricane Season [article]
- BBC News: Hurricanes – Animated Guide [Flash Animation]
- BBC Weather: Hurricane Cycle [article]
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the American city of New Orleans. It was a very strong hurricane and caused a lot of damage to the city. When the force of the wind and waves damaged the levees (banks of earth built around the city to protect it from flooding), most of the city was flooded. Many people had to leave their homes and the city – however some couldn’t leave in time and many people died in the storm.
Read the following articles to find out more about Hurricane Katrina:
- CBBC Newsround: One Girl’s Escape Story from Hurricane Katrina [article]
- CBBC Newsround: Hurricane Katrina In Pictures [images]
- CBBC Newsround: Hurricane Katrina Factfile [article]
Write a diary entry for one day during a hurricane.
