The National Hurricane Center has multiple software programs designed by different developers. The data is entered into all of them, then the results are compared. Ideally forecasters would like to see all of the models agree on the influence global weather will have on the Hurricane, when the models disagree the forecasters have to look at averages and use there own experience to predict the future track and strength of a hurricane. Because hurricanes derive their energy from the warm surface water and from the latent heat of condensation, they tend to dissipate rapidly when they move over cold water or over a large mass of land. There are several destructive components of hurricanes in addition to the high winds .
Flooding Is a common occurrence with hurricanes.
The runoff systems in many cities cannot handle such an increase in water because of the gentle topography in many of the coastal areas where hurricanes occur. Storm surge Is an abnormal increase in the ocean's level, sometimes in excess of several meters high and miles wide. Storm surges can come ashore up to five hours before the storm and destroy low elevation coastal areas, and consequently, is responsible for most hurricane related deaths. It is especially damaging when the storm surge occurs during high tide. Tornadoes May also develop in hurricanes.