Research Methods

Question 1: Weather Story #1
Q: Name the costliest hurricane in the United States since 1900.
A: Hurricane Katrina was the costliest hurricane that took place in the U.S. since 1900.
Q: When and where did it occur?
A: Hurricane Katrina hit southeast and southwest Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in Aug. 2005.
Q: How much were the damages?
A: Hurricane Katrina cost $81,000,000,000 in damages.

Source: National Hurricane Center
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/Deadliest_Costliest.shtml

Question 2: Weather Story #2
Q: Find a site that offers good tips on earthquake preparedness.
A: The U.S. Geological Survey Web site offers very useful tips on what to do before, after, and during an earthquake, a list of frequently asked questions and links to other earthquake preparedness Web sites that cater to more specific audiences (ex: Preparedness tips for families with children).

Source: USGS
Useful tips from USGS: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/prepare/
FAQs: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/faq/?categoryID=14

Links for specific audiences: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/?topicID=25&topic=Preparedness

Question 3: Plane Crashes
In Colorado (from 1/1/09 to 12/31/09):
Q: How many fatal crashes occurred in the last year?
A: 4 fatal crashes. 1/11/09 in Hayden, 1/15/09 in Wray, 2/1/09 in Elbert, 7/9/09 in Similia.
Q: How many nonfatal crashes occurred in the last year?
A: 41 nonfatal crashes.
Q: If the type of plane or company involved has had more than one fatal crash in the last year or two, check the record of that company using the same query site.
A: N/A.
Q: In 2000 the NTSB conducted a major investigation of an airplane crash in which 88 people died. What was the airline?
A: Alaska Airlines.
Q: In 2006 how many people died in the crash in Lexington, KY?
A: 49 people died.

Source: National Transportation Safety Board
For the first three questions: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/Response2.asp (from 1/1/09 to 12/31/09 in Colorado)
For the last two questions: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/major.asp