Ø Ask your teacher for a map of the Atlantic Ocean Area. Your map must have latitude and longitude lines for plotting an accurate course. Read the news accounts of Miguel, below, and plot the hurricane’s path on the blank map.

Hurricane Miguel-Storm History

The Miami Tribune

SATURDAY AUGUST 1

CORAL GABLES FLORIDA -- Tropical storm Miguel became a hurricane today, some 3000 miles Southwest of the coast of Africa. This storm comes early in the hurricane season, following only one other hurricane so far this year. Nevertheless, it has already been a busy season, with six topical storms testing forecasters' powers. Miguel has become a powerful and already deadly Hurricane, and forecasters are watching it closely.

The Miami Tribune

WEDESNDAY AUGUST 4th

MIAMI, FLORIDA -- Hurricane Miguel, which had been headed south, took a turn to the north late yesterday, putting it on a path with the islands of the Lesser Antilles. A storm watch was posted for the islands, for Friday (at 6 a.m.) when Hurricane Miguel's winds are expected to begin affecting the area. Currently a Category 2 storm, Miguel is forecasted to continue increasing in strength.

The Miami Tribune

Sunday, August 8th

PUERTO RICO -- As Hurricane Miguel passed just to the north of the Lesser Antilles Islands today, the storm became more powerful. One week after being declared a Hurricane, Miguel is now a Category 3 storm and narrowly missed a direct hit with the Lesser Antilles. High winds and rain hit the islands’ northeast side and fifteen deaths have been reported, as well as widespread flooding and wind damage. The islands of the Lesser Antilles began preparing frantically when the storm took an unexpected northwest turn late Wednesday. Today, the island nation of Puerto Rico began evacuations and declared a state of emergency. Hurricane warnings were posted as far as the northeastern Bahamas.

The Miami Tribune

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14^th

MIAMI --- Residents of the Bahamas are preparing for the worst, as Miguel is expected to cross over or near the islands sometime within the next 24-36 hours. Residents of Puerto Rico continue to face massive clean-up efforts. Two days ago Hurricane Miguel roared over the islands and left a devastating path of destruction. Coastal communities were especially hit hard when a record tidal storm surge flooded businesses and homes.

Hurricane warnings have been issued, and coastal communities have been ordered to move inland. As the storm bears down on the main islands of the Bahamas, power and communications to the region have been sporadic. Over open, warm waters, Hurricane Miguel's strength has increased, with sustained winds now at 120 miles per hour.

Forecasters predict that Miguel will continue its northwesterly track. Still 500 miles off the coast of South Florida, Hurricane Miguel could strengthen they say, making it a Category 5 storm. Officials in south Florida have posted a storm watch for late Sunday evening.

On its present course, Hurricane Miguel is headed for the United States, with landfall predicted anywhere from south Florida to the South Carolina coast. Heavy rain and high winds have caused extensive damage along Miguel's path, from the Lesser Antilles to the Bahamas.