Twister (23 page)
Author's note
The Florida Keys were originally connected to the US mainland by the Overseas Railroad. This was partially destroyed by a hurricane in 1935 and was replaced by the Overseas Highway.
The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November. The duration and strength of hurricanes has increased by 50 per cent over the past three decades. Scientists do not know for sure whether this is a result of global warming, but they
do
know that heat is a key factor in the formation of hurricanes. It seems likely, therefore, that as the temperature of the oceans and the atmosphere continues to rise, hurricanes are going to get worse.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
REAL- LIFE SAS HERO CHRIS RYAN
Chris Ryan joined the SAS in 1984 and was involved in numerous operations with the Regiment. During the first Gulf War he was the only member of an eight-man team to escape from Iraq, three colleagues being killed and four captured. It was the longest escape and evasion in the history of the SAS and for this he was awarded the Military Medal. He wrote about his remarkable escape in
The One That Got Away
(1995), which was also adapted for screen.
He left the SAS in 1994 and is now the author of many bestselling titles for both adults and children, including the Alpha Force series and four previous Code Red adventures. His adult thriller,
The Watchman
, is being adapted into a movie.
His work in security takes him round the world and Chris has also demonstrated his skills in different scenarios by appearing in a number of television series, including
Hunting Chris Ryan, Pushed to the Limit
and
Terror Alert
.
Chris is also involved with the RSPB in their campaign to protect endangered species, including the hen harrier, and Chris has appeared in a BBC TV documentary about this.
Don't miss Ben's other adventures
in disaster scenarios.
Flash Flood
A tidal surge.
A dramatic thunderstorm.
And a fast-rising river...
London is flooded!
'Utterly convincing watery thriller'
The Times
Wildfire
A drought.
A single spark.
And a city engulfed in flames . . .
Adelaide is on fire!
'Ryan excels with descriptions'
Writeaway.org.uk
Outbreak
A mine full of valuable ore.
Thousands of dead bats.
And a terrible sickness . . .
A virus is loose in Africa!
'Fast-paced'
The Bookseller
Vortex
A weapons training base.
An endangered bird of prey.
And an illegal research project...
A lethal new weapon is about
to be unleashed!
'A taut thriller with an edge of authenticity'
Daily Mail