Typhoon Haiyan, 2014 Flashcards
(66 cards)
1
Q
What was the local name of Typhoon Haiyan?
A
Yolanda
2
Q
When did Typhoon Haiyan start its life?
A
2 November 2013
3
Q
What category was Typhoon Haiyan when it reached the Philippines?
A
Category 5
4
Q
What was the maximum wind speed of Typhoon Haiyan?
A
over 300 km/h
5
Q
What was the central pressure of Typhoon Haiyan?
A
895 mb
6
Q
How wide was the area of hurricane force winds around the eye of Typhoon Haiyan?
A
160 km
7
Q
On which dates did Typhoon Haiyan make landfalls in the Philippines?
A
7/8 November
8
Q
What significant weather event did Typhoon Haiyan bring to the region besides high winds?
A
400 mm of rain
9
Q
What was the height of the storm surge caused by Typhoon Haiyan?
A
up to 10 m
10
Q
How many lives did Typhoon Haiyan take in total?
A
6,300
11
Q
How many people were injured due to Typhoon Haiyan?
A
28,000
12
Q
How many people were seriously impacted by Typhoon Haiyan?
A
14 million
13
Q
How many people were displaced from their homes due to Typhoon Haiyan?
A
4 million
14
Q
What was the population of Tacloban City at the time of Typhoon Haiyan?
A
220,000
15
Q
How many people died in Tacloban City due to the storm surge?
A
5,800
16
Q
What became a death zone during Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban City?
A
Tacloban City Convention Centre
17
Q
What percentage of buildings were destroyed in Tacloban City?
A
90%
18
Q
What type of structures were particularly affected in Tacloban City?
A
all non-concrete structures
19
Q
What did the central government of the Philippines declare after Typhoon Haiyan?
A
‘state of national calamity’
20
Q
How many people were displaced from their homes in Tacloban City?
A
4 million
21
Q
How many homes were badly damaged or destroyed across the region?
A
5 million
22
Q
What infrastructure failures occurred in the region?
A
Electricity supplies failed, regional airport closed, key road bridges and communication systems destroyed
23
Q
What types of vegetation were affected by the disaster?
A
Coconut plantations and rice paddies
24
Q
What sectors were severely impacted by the disaster?
A
Fishing, manufacturing, and tourism
25
What percentage of fishing boats and equipment were lost in some places?
Over 95%
26
How many people were left without an income due to the loss of fishing boats and equipment?
Tens of thousands
27
What is the estimated cost of the damage?
$2 to $13 billion, with $8 billion being probably realistic
28
What does the damage represent for a developing nation like the Philippines?
A human disaster and an economic one
29
Fill in the blank: The disaster caused the destruction of _______ supplies and family incomes.
food
30
True or False: The regional airport remained open after the disaster.
False
31
What trend has been observed in death tolls in hurricane/typhoon prone regions?
Death tolls have generally fallen despite increasing populations
## Footnote
This is attributed to improved tracking, prediction, communication, and evacuation methods.
32
What is the main issue regarding property damage during tropical cyclones?
Possessions must often be abandoned during cyclone events
## Footnote
Prediction and evacuation methods do not effectively protect property.
33
What are the seasonal patterns of severe cyclones?
Severe cyclones are normally confined to the tropics and the summer and autumn seasons
## Footnote
These temporal controls influence their predictability.
34
How are severe cyclones tracked and identified?
They are tracked by satellite imagery
## Footnote
The highly visible nature of hurricane systems makes them easily identifiable.
35
What actions are taken in the USA for hurricane preparedness?
People are moved inland or to high ground, and school buildings are designated as shelters
## Footnote
Safe evacuation routes are signposted and monitored.
36
What does accurate prediction of cyclones enable homeowners to do?
Homeowners can secure doors and windows and cut off gas and electricity supplies
## Footnote
This helps protect their properties during storms.
37
Who monitored and tracked Typhoon Haiyan?
The Japanese Meteorological Office and the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC)
## Footnote
They provided daily updates on the storm's path.
38
What organization issued warnings for Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines?
PAGASA (Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration)
## Footnote
They broadcast warnings through local media outlets.
39
What was the highest warning level issued for Typhoon Haiyan?
Public Storm Warning was upgraded to the highest warning level on 7 November
## Footnote
This followed an initial low level warning on 6 November.
40
How many inhabitants were evacuated from danger zones during Typhoon Haiyan?
Over 800,000 inhabitants were evacuated
## Footnote
All 1,000 inhabitants of Tulang Diyat were also moved.
41
What key criticism arose after the warnings for Typhoon Haiyan?
People recognized the warnings but did not understand the implications of a storm surge
## Footnote
Using the term 'tsunami' might have improved the public's response.
42
What is key to helping people save themselves and their property from typhoons?
Knowledge about, and an accurate perception of, the threat of typhoons.
## Footnote
This includes understanding how to prepare for and reduce risk before, during, and after a storm.
43
How can local governments raise public perception regarding typhoon preparedness?
Through the school curriculum, internet sites, and cyclone-preparedness posters.
## Footnote
These tools help educate the public on how to prepare for typhoons.
44
What kind of investment can governments make for emergency services in relation to typhoons?
Investment in preparedness, including hazard maps and regular drills.
## Footnote
This ensures that emergency services are ready to respond effectively.
45
What was the community response to the threat of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines?
A high level of community awareness existed, and most people perceived the need for evacuation.
## Footnote
The community had even set up a disaster recovery fund years before.
46
What was a common reason for people choosing to stay behind during Typhoon Haiyan?
To prevent looting or because they underestimated the risk.
## Footnote
This decision cost many their lives during the storm.
47
What challenges do small low-lying islands in the Philippines face regarding evacuation?
It is difficult to find locations at either an adequate distance or height above sea level.
## Footnote
This geographical limitation complicates evacuation efforts.
48
How did emergency services prepare for Typhoon Haiyan?
By deploying military aircraft and helicopters before the storm made landfall.
## Footnote
This preparation was aimed at the rescue and response phase predicted to follow the storm.
49
What was the major failing in educational terms during Typhoon Haiyan?
Ignorance of both the public and the authorities regarding a storm surge's impact.
## Footnote
A local stated, 'We were ready for the wind, but not the water.'
50
What did the director of the Philippine Red Cross suggest was urgently needed?
An educational campaign to explain the destructiveness of a storm surge - like a tsunami.
## Footnote
This highlights the need for better public understanding of storm surges.
51
What is 'land zoning' in the context of typhoon preparedness?
'Land zoning' is when specific 'at risk' areas are set aside to be left undeveloped.
## Footnote
This approach aims to reduce risk in vulnerable areas.
52
What is a notable difference in building codes between the USA and the Philippines regarding typhoons?
In the USA, building codes are well developed for both the public and private sectors, whereas most homes in the Philippines are not constructed under storm-proof codes.
## Footnote
This difference affects the resilience of structures during typhoons.
53
What type of buildings are designated as evacuation centers in the Philippines?
Brick and mortar buildings, such as schools, churches, and public buildings.
## Footnote
These buildings are generally stronger than most people's homes.
54
What was the issue with the evacuation centers during Typhoon Haiyan?
They were not designed specifically to withstand the hazards of a typhoon, leading to inadequacies.
## Footnote
This lack of design consideration contributed to the risks faced by evacuees.
55
What regulations existed in the Philippines regarding land zoning?
'No build' zones were identified on vulnerable areas, and certain zones permitted only business and not residential constructions.
## Footnote
These regulations could have saved lives if adequately enforced.
56
What are two types of coastal defences used to reduce the impact of storm surges?
Hard engineering (seawalls) and soft engineering (beach feeding or planting mangrove swamps)
## Footnote
Hard engineering methods are typically more rigid structures, while soft engineering methods utilize natural processes to mitigate storm impacts.
57
How do sea walls function in coastal engineering?
They deflect and reduce the impact of storm surges
## Footnote
Sea walls are designed to absorb and redirect wave energy away from the shore.
58
What is the role of mangroves in coastal engineering?
They are an effective method of using up wave energy on the shore
## Footnote
Mangrove swamps can serve as natural barriers against storm surges.
59
What was a significant response to Typhoon Haiyan regarding mangroves?
Encouragement of healthy mangrove development on island coasts
## Footnote
This initiative was suggested after the storm to enhance coastal resilience.
60
What criticism was made regarding the coastal defence plan at Tacloban City?
Local officials criticized it as not being the main priority for the region
## Footnote
The plan involved constructing a 27 km long coastal defence, which faced opposition due to other pressing needs.
61
Why is constructing hard engineering defences in the Philippines considered economically impossible?
Due to the numerous islands and the impact of sea level rise from global warming
## Footnote
The geographical complexity and rising sea levels make such projects unsustainable.
62
What is the primary function of personal and household insurance?
To provide compensation for death or property loss
## Footnote
Insurance cannot prevent disasters but can mitigate financial losses.
63
What percentage of the total cost of damage from Typhoon Haiyan was covered by insurance payouts?
Less than 5%
## Footnote
Insurance companies paid out $700 million in claims, which was a small fraction of the overall damage.
64
What was the criticism of the Philippine government's response after Typhoon Haiyan?
It was considered inadequate
## Footnote
The government's response faced scrutiny for not sufficiently addressing the needs of affected populations.
65
What plans were made regarding evacuation centres after Typhoon Haiyan?
To locate them outside storm surge risk areas
## Footnote
This plan aimed to enhance safety by avoiding high-risk zones.
66
Fill in the blank: The impact of constructing hard engineering defences is regarded as economically _______.
impossible and unsustainable
## Footnote
This reflects concerns about the financial viability of such projects in the Philippines.
