In the United States, Hurricane Ida has crossed the Louisiana coast as a category 4 hurricane, causing widespread damage. A storm surge of around 3 metres is causing life-threatening flash flooding along portions of the coast between Louisiana and Mississippi. The term 'hurricane' is a regionally specific name for a tropical cyclone. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and the Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from 15 May to 30 November. In Australia, the tropical

WATCH: our new 'Understanding tropical cyclone categories' video. A tropical cyclone’s effects vary depending on its intensity, so it’s important to understand the hazards involved and the potential damage a tropical cyclone can cause. More info: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/about/ | Bureau of Meteorology