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US Seeks to Weaken Hurricanes

Scientists propose techniques to modify the weather

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 2, 2008 1:42 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Department of Homeland Security is hoping that weather-altering techniques can lessen the devastation caused by hurricanes, the Daily Telegraph reports. A hurricane reduction program likely to begin in October will devote $64 million to efforts such as spreading tiny salt particles in the storms to drain them of much of their rain before they hit land.

Another idea is to place a layer of oil on the ocean in a storm’s path to cut evaporation from the sea, keeping the hurricane from getting too hot and thus more powerful. But weather’s mechanisms are poorly understood, and critics fear unintended consequences.

Homes sit under floodwaters after Hurricane Dolly hit the area in Matamoros, Mexico, Thursday, July  24, 2008.
Homes sit under floodwaters after Hurricane Dolly hit the area in Matamoros, Mexico, Thursday, July 24, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Hurricane Dolly gains strength as it nears landfall in Texas in this undated file photo.
Hurricane Dolly gains strength as it nears landfall in Texas in this undated file photo.   (Getty Images)
Hurricane Dean moves to the Caribbean in this undated photo.
Hurricane Dean moves to the Caribbean in this undated photo.   (Getty Images)
In this September 2005 photo, a search and rescue dog searches in the debris of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi as a rescue worker watches nearby.
In this September 2005 photo, a search and rescue dog searches in the debris of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi as a rescue worker watches nearby.   (AP Photo/Mary Flood)
A man carries a child next to a damaged house after Hurricane Dolly hit the area in Bagdad beach, Mexico, Thursday, July 24, 2008.
A man carries a child next to a damaged house after Hurricane Dolly hit the area in Bagdad beach, Mexico, Thursday, July 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
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