Damage to life and property in its path.
A cyclone is a spinning storm caused by a low-pressure area in the atmosphere. The air in a cyclone turns counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Tropical cyclones develop over tropical or subtropical waters. These large weather systems have different names in different parts of the world, but are most commonly known as typhoons or hurricanes. Cyclones are classified according to their wind speed, ranging from 74 to more than 156 miles per hour. Tropical cyclones often cause environmental changes far beyond the area where they make landfall.
Winds
The winds from a Category 1 cyclone cause minimal damage to shrubbery and trees. Category 5 storms are the most forceful, bringing winds of more than 156 miles per hour. Winds this fast can rip trees from the ground and flatten buildings. Cyclones that fall in between cause varying degrees of destruction, including tearing branches from trees and destroying vegetation. This often results in loss of animal habitats, interrupting and changing ecosystems. Flying debris from any of these windstorms can kill people or animals. Cyclonic winds also can damage infrastructure, such as power lines, communication towers, bridges and roads.
Flooding
Tropical cyclones can cause tidal waves that cause death and destruction.
Cyclones can produce flooding in two ways. First, tropical cyclones frequently cause a surge in ocean waters causing sea levels to rise above normal. These surges, sometimes called tidal waves, can drown people and animals, and are often the greatest killers in a cyclone. Cyclones also can bring torrential rains that lead to flooding.