During the passage of major storms, strong winds, heavy rains, large waves, and storm surges frequently impact coastal parks. The naming and classification of major storms depends on the global location where they formed and their strength. This includes tropical and extratropical storms, hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, arctic storms, and El Niño and La Niña cycles [Storms page under development]. For example, when these large storms originate near the equator, they are called tropical cyclones. When their wind speed exceeds 74 mph (119 km/h), they are called hurricanes if located in the North Atlantic Ocean, Northeast Pacific Ocean, or South Pacific Ocean. Yet, whatever you call them, these storms may be large in magnitude and are the primary drivers of coastal change.
Hurricanes can generate wind speeds exceeding 157 mph (252 km/h) and are classified by categories 1-5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Some coastal storms, such as arctic storms, may grow to be more than 77,200 square miles (200,000 km 2 ) in size. Strong sustained winds, rain, and subsequent storm surge flooding can have lasting impacts on coastal geomorphology and resources. Increased wave energy and water level from coastal storms can generate large scale or rapid coastal erosion; removing and re-depositing sediment.
