Though it raises an interesting point that simply physical dynamics of natural processes are an immense reservoir of energy.

if we could tap the power of the earths rotation itself, we could probably do better than a few hundred measly terajoules. Plus we coudl make the earth spin more slowly, resulting in a. more sleep in the morning, and b. no need for all that silly daylight savings time nonsense.

So you got 149 terajoules there. America uses energy at an averate rate of about 3.6 terawatts. Which means that the power of that hurricane would last us about 42 seconds.

Cue the alternate energy freaks!