Weather Hazards & Safe Design Builder

Severe weather includes any dangerous weather event that can cause damage or put people at risk. The main types are:

• Thunderstorms bring lightning, hail, and heavy rain
• Tornadoes are spinning funnels of extreme wind
• Hurricanes are massive ocean storms with flooding and wind
• Blizzards bring heavy snow, ice, and bitter cold
• Wildfires spread fast through dry forests and grasslands

Engineers design buildings to resist different weather hazards. The right choices depend on the local climate:

• Sloped roofs shed rain and snow
• Concrete walls resist wind and flood
• Raised foundations keep homes above floodwater
• Storm shutters protect windows from flying debris
• Insulation keeps buildings warm in cold or cool in heat

Being prepared for severe weather can save lives. Every family should have:

• A plan for where to go during each type of weather emergency
• An emergency kit with water, food, flashlight, and first aid
• A way to receive weather warnings (radio, phone alerts)
• Practice drills so everyone knows what to do

This tool supports the Next Generation Science Standards for elementary Earth science:

• 3-ESS3-1 Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of weather-related hazards
• K-ESS3-2 Ask questions about what plants and animals need to survive
• 4-ESS3-2 Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural processes on humans