Tropical Cyclones - Cuba and New York Flashcards
Social Impacts Cuba
11 died
17,000 homes destroyed
226,000 homes damaged
55,000 evacuated due to storm surges
Social Impacts New York
117 died
650,000 homes damaged/ destroyed by flood water
Social Impacts Contrast
New York was worst hit (more deaths and more homes damaged) because the area was more densely populated (more people at risk).
Economic Impacts Cuba
Total losses of $US2bln
5% drop in Cuba’s GDP
Roads to the airport were blocked, preventing tourists arriving / leaving.
Economic Impacts New York
Total damage cost was US$19bln
This included US$3.3bln in insurance claims.
US$1.1bln alone spent on repairing damaged sewage / water pipes
Economic Impacts Contrast
Total cost much greater in New York, but the relative cost was much higher in Cuba (enough to affect the whole countries GDP). This is because USA is a much larger and wealthier country.
Also more losses were insured in the USA, allowing for a quicker recovery.
Environmental Impacts Cuba
Destroyed 2600 hectares of banana crops
Swept away coffee plantations in the mountains.
Trees uprooted and stripped of leaves.
Areas close to the coast were flooded.
Environmental Impacts New York
1.5 million litres of oil spilt into Arthur Kill (water between New Jersey and Staten Island).
1.5bln litres of sewage released into the Raritan River.
Storm surge flooded the coast, polluting freshwater habitats with saltwater.
Environmental Impacts Contrast
More crops damaged in Cuba (as a more rural area).
More pollution in USA (due to more infrastructure at risks).
Some impacts were similar (coastal flooding and beach erosion) as both were affected by coastal surges.
Individual Responses Cuba
Many moved in with relatives / friends.
Some moved into state workers holidays homes (basic food was provided)
Materials were provided by the government to rebuild their homes themselves
Individual Responses New York
After the hurricane people moved in with relatives or into shelters
Homes were rebuilt by professional builders
Individuals Responses Contrast
In the USA most people had home insurance so could use this to get their homes rebuilt (in Cuba people had to do this themselves).
Cuba is a Communist country and had state owned holiday homes that could be used as temporary accommodation after the hurricane (US is capitalist and didn’t)
Organisations Responses Cuba
UN provided US$7m in total emergency funds.
Countries provide aid = Venezuela provided 60 tonnes of machinery
International Assistance
Organisations Responses New York
MediCare (US Company) provided aid to the most hit areas also a mobile health clinic
Red Cross 17m meals and 74,000 overnight stays
Organisations Responses Contrast
USA was more self reliant, whereas Cuba needed more international assistance (USA is more resilient to hazards due to wealth, I.e. has better emergency services and wealthy American charities).
