This year many Americans started the school year with natural disasters in the form of hurricanes. In Texas, there was Hurricane Harvey, and in Florida there was Hurricane Irma. Each storm brought with it torrential rain, storm surges, tornadoes, and high winds. The governors of the states ordered many people to evacuate to shelters or other safe locations. People who lived in coastal areas were most vulnerable to the effects of the storms, and buildings and houses on the water were flooded. Many government and private agencies were sending help, such as FEMA, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Goodwill, electric and gas companies, and church organizations. Most importantly, neighbors and strangers were ready to help one another get through the aftermath of the hurricanes.
Vocabulary
natural disaster (compound noun) - a catastrophe caused by nature
hurricane (noun) - a storm with violent wind and rain, a tropical cyclone
torrential (adjective) - very heavy, a large amount
surge (noun) - a large amount of ocean water coming on shore
tornado (noun) - twister
evacuate (verb) - to leave
vulnerable (adjective) - powerless, weak
flooded (verb) -- filled with water
FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency, a government agency that helps people during natural disasters
get through (phrasal verb) - to live or survive
aftermath (noun) - effects or results
Vocabulary Exercise:
Florida just suffered from a type of ___________ __________ called __________ __________ (a violent storm. The government tried help by sending its special agency named ________. The characteristics of the hurricane were ____________ rain, a high storm ___________, and even some _____________, whose winds destroyed houses and trees. Some houses on the ocean were _____________; because of the water, people had to ______________ and go to safe places like shelters. The people who lost their homes are _____________ and need help to _______ ___________ the _____________ of the storm.
Grammar Point
There is/there are -- This is a structure that tells about the existence of something. For example, "There was Hurricane Harvey" means that "Hurricane Harvey existed."Another example is, "There are three books on the desk."
Write three sentences with either "there is" or "there are."