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Geography - Weather hazards (Tropical storms (Formation (Air draws water…
Geography - Weather hazards
Tropical storms
Formation
Air draws water vapour from ocean surface
It cools as it rises, condensing to form towering thunderstorm clouds
As it rises, it leaves an area of low pressure beneath it, which draws in more air from the surroundings
Heat is released which powers the storm, drawing up more water from the ocean
Several smaller storms join to form a giant spinning storm
Eye at center is where air descends rapidly, eyewall is where most intense weather conditions are felt
Where they occur and why
Warm oceans (>27 C)
5-15 degrees from equator as at equator there isn't enough spin for Coriolis effect to take place
Intense heat in tropical regions make air unstable and rise quickly
Summer / Autumn when sea temperatures are highest
Effects
Primary
Buildings destroyed or damaged
Power lines destroyed
Electrical supplies cut off
Sewage released
Water supplies become contaminated
Secondary
People left homeless
Water borne diseases more prevalent as lack of clean water / sanitation
Road and rail networks blocked by debris
Responses
Immediate
Food aid / supplies
Monetary / Financial aid from other countries
Search and rescue teams
Long-term
Monitoring / Prediction
Satellite / radar technology to track development and approach
Weather charts and computer software to predict path
HIC such as US have effective hurricane monitoring and prediction system
Able to issue warnings to alert people and give time for preparation
LIC are often less prepared
Monitoring equipment is expensive and hard to communicate information to those in remote locations (most likely to be affected often)
Preparation / Planning
Stocking up on food and water
Early warning systems
Being educated and what to do in event (evacuation orders and routes)
Relation to climate change
Causes
More heat
More water in atmosphere
Warmer sea surface temperatures
Effects
Higher intensity storms
More frequently / likely to occur
Wider distribution
Protection
Windows covered with metal shutters
Storm shelters
Buildings with deep concrete pillars to dissipate energy
Case Study : Hurricane Katrina
Category 5
Storm surges over 6m high
New Orleans affected the worst (80% flooded)
Environmental
Dead Crops: Many crops were destroyed and meant that there
wasn't enough food
to provide for the entire community
Flooding : New Orleans and other states were
left below sea level
, as their levees broke due to the severity of Hurricane Katrina - causing flooding.
Economic
Damage : Around
$300 billion worth of damage
was caused. Many houses and business were destroyed.
Insurance - Approximately
$40 billion
were spent just on insurance, as people had applied for car, house, pet, health insurance and the government had to pay for new jobs, homes etc.
Looting : Criminal gangs roamed the streets
looting homes and stealing valuables
from other places.
Social
Deaths :
Over 1500 people
lost their lives
Homelessness :
800,000 housing units
destroyed
Millions of people were forced to take refuge in the Super bowl
This lead to extreme conditions - diseases and illnesses
More money spent on medication and doctors
Water : Drinking water system was contaminated so disease spread easily
(Cholera, diarrhea)
Responses
Short term
National Guard mobilised to restore and maintain law and order
$50bn in aid from government
UK government sent food aid
Long term
Roughly 200 miles of flood walls and levees strengthened or replaced
Roughly $17bn for rebuilding damaged houses and infrastructure
Emergency aid services have been made more efficient