5 Things We All Know About Hurricanes That Aren’t True!

I don't like even using the "H" word. We lived here in the studios for two weeks during Rita and that's enough for all of us. I know...I'm preaching to the choir on that one.

With hurricanes, as with many other things, there a few accepted "truths" that just aren't (true, that is) See how much you really know about hurricanes.

I thought I was pretty well versed when it came to hurricanes. Turns out, I'm not as smart as I thought I was. (Yeah, like THAT"S never happened before)

See how many of these "myths" you knew were false!

MYTH 1: A storm surge is the deadliest part of a hurricane

A storm surge is a wall of water pushed ashore as the center of a hurricane nears the coast, which can certainly be deadly. But in fact more people die from inland flooding and flash floods of rivers and streams because they underestimate the power of moving water.

MYTH 2: Hurricanes are so windy that it is impossible for planes to fly through them

Looks like scientists have found a way to get round this one, too. A group of hurricane scientists known as  “hurricane hunters” have developed special airplanes which they fly into the middle of the hurricane to record data such as air pressures and wind speed.

MYTH 3: Hurricanes only form during hurricane season

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Hurricanes can form any time of year, however, as long as the conditions are right. Usually, this is during the hurricane season, but every so often it’s not. For example, Hurricane Lili hit in December 1984 and Tropical Storm Anna formed in April 2003.

MYTH 4: Hurricanes and typhoons are completely different types of storms

Aside from the name, the composition of hurricanes and typhoons is exactly the same. Tropical systems with wind speeds in excess of 74 miles per hour are called “hurricanes” in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Caribbean. To the west of the International Date Line, these storms are known as “typhoons.” Australians have their own name for hurricanes/typhoons, too — they call them “willy-willys.”

MYTH 5: Hurricane Katrina was the most devastating US hurricane in history

Though Katrina caused 1,800 deaths, it is a misconception that it was the most catastrophic hurricane of all-time. The great Galveston hurricane of 1900 was the deadliest US hurricane, causing a staggering 8,000 deaths.

BONUS! MYTH 6: The right side of the hurricane is more dangerous than the left

Actually, this one is true! Hurricanes spin counter clockwise and travel in a forward direction, so the right side of the hurricane will have faster wind speeds than the left.