If the storm continues to feed off of the heat supplied by the ocean, the organization of the cloud clusters will intensify and the winds will increase and will circulate around a specific center, the eye. As a matter of fact, meteorologists place hurricanes in a category called cyclones. Cyclones are characterized by a circular wind pattern or circulation. Tornadoes, waterspouts, and dust devils are also members of this category. As these storms travel, the wind, rain, and storm surge destroy the shoreline, villages, and cities in their path.
Storm surge is a rise of the ocean caused by the winds of the storm.
The highest surge is typically to the right of the hurricane and has been known to exceed 25 feet. This is due to the combination of the strong winds and the forward movement of the hurricane. Tornadoes have also been known to originate from the severe atmospheric conditions associated with hurricanes. When hurricanes make landfall, they begin to decrease in strength because they no longer have the ocean water from which to gain energy. However, they are still dangerous and can cause much damage.