Tropical Storms - Yasi

Question 1

Prediction

Answer 1

• identified 26th jan 2011
• made landfall on 3rd feb 2011
• upgraded to tropical storm 30th Jan 2011

Question 2

preparation

Answer 2

• building standards enforced in 1980s
• ppl in low-lying areas were evacuated
• schools etc. closed
• evacuations to 100 official evac. centres
• tv reports educated the population of the risks
• cairns council created eval strategy in 2009/10, including designated routes, timeframes and maps indicating areas most at risk
• sandbags
• taped up windows
• extra flights

Question 3

hazards

Answer 3

• 1 min sustained winds up to 250kmph
• storm surge of 7m moving 300m inland
• record breaking rainfall
• new river height recorded

Question 4

impacts

Answer 4

• $3.6 billion estimated damage
• $2 billion+ lost in agri, mining and local govt.
• 300km of Great Barrier Reef damaged by chemicals
• 90% main alley in Tully damaged
• 170000 buildings left without power
• damage to roads
• 25 mobile phone towers out of action
• one death due to carbon monoxide poisoning
• 75% banana crop destroyed, raised prices
• 12% older buildings destroyed, 3% newer buildings

Question 5

response

Answer 5

• mainly had to focus on rebuilding and repairing damage
• govt handed out $450m of recovery grants
• 230km or road cleared in 1 week