Watch Perfect Storms

2014
1 Season
7.2 (90)

Perfect Storms is a six-part documentary series from Smithsonian Channel that premiered in 2014. The show explores some of the most devastating and deadly storms in history, and how they impacted people and societies around the world. Each episode of Perfect Storms focuses on a different type of natural disaster, ranging from hurricanes and tornadoes to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Through a combination of dramatic reenactments, expert interviews, and archival footage, viewers get a powerful sense of the scale and scope of these events, as well as the human toll they took.

One of the standout episodes of Perfect Storms is "Hurricanes." This episode chronicles two of the most destructive hurricanes in American history: Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900. Through firsthand accounts from survivors and interviews with meteorologists and other experts, viewers get a sense of just how devastating these storms were, and how unprepared many people were for their incredible power.

Other episodes in the show are equally compelling. "Tornadoes" explores the science behind one of nature's most awe-inspiring phenomena, and details some of the deadliest twisters in history, such as the Joplin tornado in 2011. "Volcanoes" takes viewers on a journey around the world to some of the most active and dangerous volcanic zones, including Mt. Vesuvius in Italy and Mt. St. Helens in North America.

"Wildfires" delves into the growing problem of forest fires, and examines some of the worst blazes in recent memory, including the Black Saturday bushfires in Australia and the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona. "Earthquakes" looks at the science and history of seismic activity, and how people and societies have coped with quakes throughout history. Finally, "Floods" explores how flooding can wreak havoc on entire communities, with stories ranging from the Great Flood of 1927 in the United States to recent floods in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

One of the strengths of Perfect Storms is the way it weaves together personal stories with scientific information and historical context. Rather than simply presenting raw data and statistics, the show offers a deep dive into the human experience of natural disasters, showing how people respond when faced with overwhelming forces of nature.

The show also benefits from an impressive array of archival footage and special effects. From CGI recreations of hurricanes to stunning time-lapse footage of volcanoes erupting, Perfect Storms immerses viewers in the sights and sounds of these incredible events, helping to bring the stories to life and capture the awe-inspiring power of nature.

Despite its sometimes heavy subject matter, Perfect Storms is an engaging and entertaining documentary series that is sure to captivate viewers of all ages. Whether you're a science nerd who loves learning about the physics of storms and quakes, or you're simply fascinated by tales of survival and human resilience, there's something in this show for everyone. So if you're looking for an absorbing and thought-provoking new series to binge-watch, be sure to check out Perfect Storms on Smithsonian Channel.

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Seasons

6. Hitler's Frozen Army

January 4, 2015

It's December 1941, two months into Operation Typhoon, Hitler's all-out attack on Russia. To this point, the Nazi's appear unstoppable. The Soviets are on the verge of collapse when a surprising ally comes to their aid: "rasputitsa", or mud season. See how heavy rains followed by a brutal Russian winter slowed the German attack to a muddy crawl, greatly impacting the Battle of Moscow and perhaps the outcome of World War II.

5. The Lost Legions

December 28, 2014

In the middle of the 6th century, the greatest volcanic catastrophe in human history rocked Central America and set off a lethal chain of events, from climate change to famine to the Bubonic plague. How could one volcano have such a cataclysmic effect? Follow experts in environmental hazards and historians as they investigate the eruption that smothered the planet with billions of tons of ash and witness what this history-shattering event was like for the unfortunate civilizations that were hit by this perfect storm.

4. Fire Twister

December 21, 2014

September 1, 1923. Japan is hit by its worst earthquake ever, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale. Within seconds, the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama are leveled, but their troubles are only beginning. Relive the Great Kanto Earthquake, a perfect storm of catastrophic events, including a landslide, a firestorm and a monstrous force of nature called a "dragon twist," a tornado of fire that would help claim 140,000 lives in just minutes. Then see how this disaster shaped the destiny of a nation and changed the course of the 20th century.

3. The Great Galveston Hurricane

December 14, 2014

In 1900, Galveston, Texas was rocked by a hurricane that killed more people than all other storms to strike the U.S. for the next century combined. Anywhere from 6,000-12,000 were killed in a deadly collision of natural forces caused by an official's mistaken belief that a storm of such magnitude could never strike his city. Relive the catastrophic events when the jewel in the crown of Texas was obliterated, and see how the lessons learned from that catastrophe helped Galveston properly prepare for Hurricane Ike 108 years later.

2. Dark Age Volcano

December 7, 2014

The year is 9 A.D., and Rome is attempting to add Germania to its mighty empire, but they're up against two powerful forces, a well-trained army of barbarians and a cyclonic storm of unfathomable fury. Enter the dark Teutoburg Forest, where three Roman legions, 16,000 men strong, fell victim to treacherous terrain, guerilla tactics, and a violent monsoon. This catastrophic defeat would deplete Rome of most of its army, create a boundary between Latin and Germanic Europe that exists to this day, and change the course of history.