average forward speed of hurricanes is about 19 kmph (12 mph), but may 

 approach 64 kmph (40 mph) in the temperate regions (Chermock 1974). Because 

 of the counterclockwise movement within the storm, a forward speed of, for 

 example, 30 kmph (19 mph) will result in the winds on the right side of the 

 hurricane traveling 60 kmph (38 mph) faster than the winds on the left side 

 relative to the surface of the earth. Winds within a hurricane are often in 

 excess of 161 kmph (100 mph) and may even exceed 322 kmph (200 mph), as did 

 Hurricane Camille in 1969. Since hurricanes striking the gulf coast are 

 generally moving northward, the highest winds are to the east of the landfall 

 of the storm eye (Chermock 1976). 



Destruction from hurricanes results from high winds, storm surge, and 

 flooding rains. In addition, tornadoes may occur on the storm's periphery. 

 Despite the incredible speeds associated with hurricane winds, most 

 destruction is a result of storm surge and flooding. Wind damage is more 

 severe in areas immediately along the coast, since wind speed diminishes 

 rapidly inland due to friction with the land surface. The most extreme wind 

 and barometric pressures associated with hurricanes in Alabama are shown in 

 Table 34. 



a Quad sheet: (1) Mobile, (2) Pensacola, (3) Biloxi, (4) Not in study area. 



138 



