superstorm
Exceptionally violent weather
A superstorm is an exceptionally large or intense storm system, typically used by media and meteorologists to describe hurricanes, cyclones, or other severe weather events that exceed normal parameters: Superstorm Sandy devastated the Northeast.
The term lacks precise scientific definition—it's applied when conventional categories seem inadequate to convey a storm's unusual size, power, or destructive potential.
Violent tropical windstorm
- typhoonWestern Pacific hurricane
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
- nor'easterNortheastern coastal storm system
- extratropicalOutside tropical zones
low-pressure · wind shear · eyewall · barometric pressure · jetstream · convection · vortex · squall
Removal from danger
- shelter-in-placeRemain indoors for safety
- first respondersPersonnel arriving at emergencies initially
- search and rescueFinding and saving people
- state of emergencyOfficially declared public danger
national guard · FEMA · disaster relief · rescue operations · emergency services · mandatory evacuation · displaced residents · survivors
Causing severe damage
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
- monsterFrightening imaginary creature
- historicOf lasting significance
- unprecedentedNever having occurred before
extreme · severe · powerful · violent · ferocious · torrential · howling winds · fury
Filled sacks for barriers
- generatorsDevices converting motion to electricity
- emergency kitPrepared supplies for disasters
- bottled waterCommercially sealed H2O
- flashlightsPortable battery-powered lamps
batteries · plywood · evacuation route · emergency radio · first aid kit · backup power · insurance · stockpiling
Severe widespread destruction
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- rubbleBroken building fragments
- floodingOverwhelming water accumulation
downed trees · power outages · structural damage · inundation · erosion · property loss · infrastructure damage · flooded streets
Planetary atmospheric transformation
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- warming oceansRising marine temperatures
- sea level riseIncreasing ocean surface height
- extreme weatherUnusual, dangerous atmospheric events
intensification · climate models · rising temperatures · climate patterns · weather extremes
hurricane
Violent tropical windstorm
- typhoonWestern Pacific hurricane
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
- nor'easterNortheastern coastal storm system
extratropical · low-pressure · wind shear · eyewall · barometric pressure · jetstream · convection · vortex · squall · atmospheric
evacuation
Removal from danger
- shelter-in-placeRemain indoors for safety
- first respondersPersonnel arriving at emergencies initially
- search and rescueFinding and saving people
state of emergency · national guard · FEMA · disaster relief · rescue operations · emergency services · mandatory evacuation · displaced residents · survivors · humanitarian aid
devastating
Causing severe damage
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
- monsterFrightening imaginary creature
- historicOf lasting significance
unprecedented · extreme · severe · powerful · violent · ferocious · torrential · howling winds · fury · destructive force
sandbags
Filled sacks for barriers
- generatorsDevices converting motion to electricity
- emergency kitPrepared supplies for disasters
- bottled waterCommercially sealed H2O
flashlights · batteries · plywood · evacuation route · emergency radio · first aid kit · backup power · insurance · stockpiling · boarding up
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- rubbleBroken building fragments
flooding · downed trees · power outages · structural damage · inundation · erosion · property loss · infrastructure damage · flooded streets · submerged
climate change
Planetary atmospheric transformation
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- warming oceansRising marine temperatures
- sea level riseIncreasing ocean surface height
extreme weather · intensification · climate models · rising temperatures · climate patterns · weather extremes
- catastrophesdisasters, disaster, natural disasters, catastrophe, apocalypse
- natural disastersearthquake, tornado, hurricane, tsunami, volcanic eruption
- severe weatherblizzard, hurricane, cyclone, derecho, tornado
- stormshurricane, tornado, typhoon, tempest, cyclone
- sea stormshurricane, typhoon, cyclone, squall, tempest
- planetary weatherhurricane, cyclone, anticyclone, polar vortex, Great Red Spot
superstormlight breeze
Gentle movement of air
drizzle · mild weather · zephyr · sprinkle · flurries
superstormcalm
Free from agitation
dead calm · stillness · doldrums · clear skies · fair weather