storm hazards Flashcards
(20 cards)
what are the conditions needed for tropical storms?
-5-30 degrees north and south of the equator
- temp of 27degrees
-warm air rises and creates low pressure
how are tropical storms formed?
-air is heated above WARM tropical oceans
-air rises (at low pressure) and condenses forming clouds and rain
-strong winds form as air rises allow more air and moisture into clouds
-air spins around eye in eye wall
why is the eye dry and less windy
- cold denser air sinks in the eye
which way do storms spin the northern hemisphere
anticlockwose
which way do storms spin in the southern hemisphere
clockwise
how are storms measured?
-saffir-simpson scale, whichis based on wind speed
-can also estimate the damage of storm
effects of storm hazards
-high winds up to 300KM/h
-storm surges: large rise in sea level caused by hgh winds
-heavy rain: warm moist air rises and coold and condesnes causing torrential rain
-flooding
-landslides: water makes soil and rock less stable so increases risk of landslides
political impacts of storm hazards
-blame authortotes for shortages of food, water and energy leading to conflict and politicsl unrest
- expensive repairs to buildings and infrastructure
environmental impactrs of storm surges
-beacjes eroded and costal habitats destroyed
-environment polluted
-landslides blocking watercourses
short description of hurricane Katrina
-23rd august 2005
-in the Bahamas
- moved north west and strenghtened as it passed of the gulf of mexico
-struck lousina and missisipi on the 29th August, category 3
-winds of 200km/h
-200-250 mm rainfall
social impacts of Hurricane Katrina
-1836 people died
-300,000 houses destroyed
-hundreds and thousands of people destroyed
-water supplies polluted, 5 people died from contaminated water
- 18 schools destroyed
-74 damaged (schools), distrupting education
economic impacts of hurricane katrina
-230,000 jobs lost due to damaged businesses
-industry distrupted e.g 30 oil platforms
-5300km2 destroyed in missisipi, 5 billion lost income from logging
- total cost of $300 billion
environmental impacts of katrina
-coastal habiats were damages e.g sea turtle breeding beaches
-coastal conservation areas were destroyed
-flooding damaged oil refineries , oil spills
-flooding of salt marshes
what warnign systems were in place/ were they effective?
-national hurricane centre NHC issued hurricane warning for Louisina missisipi and alabahama, tracked down hurricane and informed governement where it would hit
examples of aid given to prepare for the tropical storm
-US coast guard postioned helicopters and boats around the area likely to be affected
-FEMA organised teams and supplies e,.g mortuary teams
-some areas such as new orleans ordered a mandatory evacuation
examples of aid given in responce to the tropical storm
-emrgency shelters set up for people who hadnt evacuated yet
-coastguard, police and fire service and army rescued over 50,000 people after it hit
-search and rescue teams
- charities collect $4 billion of donations for public to provide aid
description of cyclone winston
-7th feb 206, Fiji
-then headed north west of north Tonga
-category 5
-sea temp of 31 degrees
primary impacts of cyclone winston
-40,000 homes damaged
-44 people killed
- 80% lost power
-495 schools damaged
-$1.42 billion in damges and loses
secondary impact of cyclone winston
-increased waterborne diseases
-55,000 refugees
-scattered islands and isolated population so hard to manage impacts
-respitory illnesses from overcrowded shelters
-food shortages
-displacement
responces to cyclone winston
-assitance, food, shelter
-cash and vouchers available, vouchers for rebuilding houses
-aid from UN, NGO’s, Civil society organisations
