Hurricane Lili threatens Louisiana

Overview: Forecasters say Hurricane Lili could be one of the strongest storms to hit Louisiana in 150 years. As the severe storm approaches, coastal residents are boarding up and moving inland.

1. Where is the city of New Orleans located? When did New Orleans last have a major storm? Why does New Orleans' geography make it especially vulnerable to hurricane damage? What does it mean to be below sea level? How does the city protect itself from the flooding caused by hurricanes? Currently, what category hurricane is Lili?

2. Guide students to the Web sites below to answer the following questions: What is a cyclone? What is the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon? What will be the name of the next hurricane in the Atlantic? Is your name in the list of names from 1997 through 2008? If so, in what years might it occur? Have students share their information with the class.

3. Challenge students to solve this problem: Suppose Hurricane Lili is 275 miles directly south of the Louisiana coast. It moves north at a rate of 16 miles/hour. How long will it take for the hurricane to reach land? (Answer 17.2 hours or 17 hours 12 minutes)