The eye of the hurricane forms as air rotates up and out of the hurricane and some of the air that's being spun out of the top of the storm sinks back into the center. This keeps the eye of the storm relatively calm and clear.
Immediately surrounding the tranquil eye is the most violent part of the hurricane: the eye wall. The most intense wind speeds at the surface are found there.
I hope weather coverage on a national level will help folks learn to respect the power of severe weather, and weather in general, so more lives are spared.
I actually think the last time I stood with a race medal around my neck was after an eighth grade cross-country meet. I was gawky and 65 pounds soaking wet, and running 10 miles a day was no big deal.
No matter the natural disaster I've covered, whether it's a wildfire or flood, I always come back with a much greater perspective.
I always had becoming a meteorologist as my goal from the second I decided, while I was in school, just to study meteorology.
