Hurtling across the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, hurricanes are destructive tropical storms with winds measuring at least 74 miles (119 kilometers) an hour. High winds and torrential rains are destructive, but storm surge can be far more dangerous. This abnormal rise in sea level erodes beaches, wipes out roads, and decimates homes. The most expensive natural disaster to hit the United States was Hurricane Andrew, which in 1992 caused 25 billion dollars in damage.

Explore the science behind hurricanes, and then let loose your own hurricane in our interactive feature.

• View case studies of some of the most destructive hurricanes.
• See a map of where hurricanes commonly occur.
• Learn how hurricanes form, how scientists are working to predict hurricanes' severity, and how the Saffir-Simpson scale anticipates hurricanes' consequences.

Forces of Nature, a new film from National Geographic and Graphic Films, brings the awesome spectacle of earthquakes, volcanoes, and tornadoes to the giant screen. The film, ten years in the making, was made possible by Amica Insurance and was funded in part by the National Science Foundation.