A hurricane is a very powerful rotating storm, also known as a typhoon or a cyclone. These storms can be huge, creating immense damage. These storms usually occur in America, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. A storm is usually classified as a hurricane when the wind speed reaches over 74 miles per hour (force 12). A hurricane is accompanied with heavy rainfall. The centre of the hurricane is known as the eye of the storm. During a hurricane trees can be uprooted, roofs can be blown off houses and windows can be broken. It is advisable to stay indoors during a hurricane. The UK does not usually have hurricane storms. The worst storm in the UK since 1703 happened in 1987. A violent storm hit Southern England with winds reaching 122 miles per hour. Technically the storm was not a hurricane but millions of trees were uprooted, roads were blocked with fallen trees and hundreds of homes lost their roofs.