Hurricane case studies

Question 1

USA economic impacts:

Answer 1

• damage estimated at $63 billion
• large areas of expensive costal population very close to sea level.
• many recreational and tourist resorts with beach front infrastructures eg. Hotels
• homes and businesses damaged due to flooding or high winds.
• petrol was in short supply so had to be brought into the affected states.
• tourist income was affected, the New York marathon was cancelled.
• people were claiming insurance.

Question 2

USA Environmental impacts:

Answer 2

• Numerous small islands made of sand or sediment (barrier islands) which are unstable and prone to storm surges.
• several coastal nature reserves were damaged by the storm surges.
• flooding led to the release of millions of gallons of raw and untreated sewage into the waters.

Question 3

USA Social impacts:

Answer 3

• a dense population.
• widespread disruption of transport and utilities, thous
  of airline flights cancelled.
• power outages, millions of peoples - houses left without electricity for days.
• 72 direct deaths in the USA.

Question 4

USA Individual responses:

Answer 4

• residents were evacuated.
• posted images and descriptions of hurricane sandy on social media so that people across the world could assess the impact of the hurricane in real time and make their preparations.

Question 5

USA national/international responses:

Answer 5

• employees working longer hours to repair storm damage.
• flight cancelations
• declared a state of emergency
• the US government voted in legislation to provide billions of dollars to the affected states to help with rebuilding and supporting victims.
• New York set up a new local government office to coordinate rebuilding offices to make sure that all would be helped.
• some of this money was paid directly to homeowners to help with construction, the rest went to business infrastructure and community support structures.

Question 6

USA organizations/ charities responses:

Answer 6

• federal emergency management agency monitored the Hurricane.
• charity concerts were organized and broadcast on TVs and in-line telethons, corporate donations to raise millions of dollars for the relief effort.
• charities such as the Red Cross were involved in providing relief to people in the affected areas, funded through the media events.

Question 7

The Philippines social impacts:

Answer 7

• strong winds damaged homes.
• people were made homeless.
• electrics were interrupted.
• roads were blocked by fallen trees and other debris, making it difficult for emergency agencies to reach those affected or injured.
• 6190 people died, 29,000 injured.
• 4.1 million people were made homeless.
• 1.1 millions houses destroyed.
• infection and disease were spread, mainly due to the contaminated surface and groundwater.
• survivors fought for food and supplies. 8 people did in a stampeded for food supplies.
• power supplies were cut off for months in some areas.
• schools were destroyed, disruption to education.
• looting occurred due to lack of food and supplies.

Question 8

The Philippines economic impacts:

Answer 8

• airports were damaged.
• overall cost of damage around $ 12 billon.
• 1.1 million tones of crops were destroyed.

Question 9

The Philippines environmental impacts:

Answer 9

• seawater, chemicals and sewerage contaminated surface and groundwaters.
• an oil tanker caused an oil leak that contaminated fishing waters, led to 10 hectares of mangroves being contaminated.
• flooding caused landslides.

Question 10

The Philippines individual responses:

Answer 10

• rushed to evacuate, had to be held back.

Question 11

The Philippines government responses:

Answer 11

• issued a televised warning to people to prepare and evacuate.
• provided essential equipment and medical supplies.
• a curfew was introduced to reduce looting.
• over 1200 evacuation centers were set up to help the homeless.
• one million food packs and 250,000 liters of water distributed
• launched a ‘build back better’ which intended to upgrade damaged buildings to protect them from future disasters.
• a new storm forge warning was developed.
• several provinces placed under a state of national calamity - allowing the government to redirect funds to help address problems caused by the typhoon.

Question 12

The Philippines organizations/charity responses:

Answer 12

• over $1.5 billion of foreign aid was pledged.
• 33 countries and international government promised help.
• oxfam replaced fishing boats.