Gotha Hurricanes Tropical Disasters Hurricanes are the world's most destructive storms.
Hurricanes consist of very powerful and deadly winds.
Hurricanes are usually 200-300 miles in diameter. Near center or the eye of the storm, winds can reach 150 miles per hour. The heavy winds cause large waves which contribute to devastating floods. Second, atmospheric moisture from sea water evaporation must combine with that heat and energy to form the powerful engine needed to propel a hurricane. Third, a wind pattern must be near the ocean surface to spiral air inward.