Through the summer, but typically in late summer and early fall, swirling circles of wind are spawned by the heat of the Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricanes can damage property over such a huge area that they are set apart from other disasters.
State Farm Insurance estimated that over 3.6 billion dollars worth of damage to South Florida was caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1989. Added to this destructive power is the potential for death and injury. Closer to home, a hurricane in 1938 stormed over Long Island and Massachusetts, killing 600. Adverse weather associated with hurricanes and tropical storms occurs well in advance of the center or eye. Tropical Storm force winds, high tides and torrential rains occur hours before the wind reaches hurricane force.