The storm surge itself can cause major coastal flooding. It is defined as a significant rise in ocean water ahead of the storm. It can cause riverine flooding and will flood low-lying areas, sometimes for a long time. It often affects hundreds of miles of coastline. These storms get their energy from the heat and moisture given off by ocean water that has itself been heated by the sun. Water must be higher than 26 degrees Celsius or 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit to allow tropical cyclones to form. As they move over water, they gain energy but, as soon as they reach land, this energy does not come and the storm weakens.
PROPER TOOLS FOR A TROPICAL CYCLONE What do you need in order to have a proper tropical cyclone? Let's look at the necessary requirements: •
A large enough surface area on the ocean.
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A surface temperature of greater than twenty-six degrees Celsius
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Expansion of the atmosphere adiabatically with the surrounding air warmer in the periphery.
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A location within five degrees of the equator at the time of the disturbance.
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A pre-existing low level disturbance somewhere in ocean water that is warm.
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Some type of vertical wind shear at the base or the storm first originates.
Remember that warm and moist air lifts. As this air lifts, it will circulate due to the Coriolis effect. The spin it generates creates the central low pressure system in a developing tropical depression. There will be centrifugal force involved as well, which will draw higher pressure outward, leaving lower pressure inward. As the spin intensifies, a hurricane is born. They get their energy or heat from the ocean and also because of condensation, which you already know generates heat.
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