Hurricane Helene

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/hurricane-helene

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the storm category at landfall?Category 4
2. What is the landfall location?Big Bend region, Florida
3. How fast did Hurricane Helene get stronger?It grew from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in just a few days, gaining at least 35 mph of wind speed in 24 hours.
4. Where did Hurricane Helene make landfall?It hit the Big Bend area of Florida on September 26, 2024, with a huge storm surge that flooded places like Tampa Bay.

Tropical Cyclone: A large-scale weather system characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds, and thunderstorms that produce heavy precipitation, forming over tropical or subtropical waters.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: A 1-5 rating system used to classify hurricanes based on their maximum sustained wind speed, indicating potential damage.
Storm Surge: An abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tide, caused by the forces of the storm, including wind and low pressure.
Post-Tropical Cyclone: A former tropical cyclone that no longer possesses sufficient tropical characteristics but may still retain strong winds and heavy rain.