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Factors which affect vulnerability to Hurricanes - Coggle Diagram
Factors which affect vulnerability to Hurricanes
Physical
Intensity of Hurricane
Saffir-Simpson 1-5
Speed of Hurricane
Length of time over sea
The Physical Geography of coastal region
Width of Coastal Plain
Size of Delta
Location of mountain ranges relative to the coast
Human
Wealth
The poor are less able to afford housing and other infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, such as a hurricane
They are less able to purchase resources needed for disaster response and are less likely to have insurance policies that can contribute, to the damage caused by a Hurricane
They are also less likely to have access to medical care.
The rich tend to lose more money from disasters, simply because they have more valuable property at stake.
Education
When populations are literate, then written messages can be used to spread word about hurricanes.
With education, we can learn how to avoid or reduce many impacts.
Governance
They can establish agencies tasked with reducing vulnerability, such as FEMA in the United States.
They can support education and awareness efforts, as well as economic development to reduce poverty
Often the most vulnerable people are those who are politically marginalized because these people have less access to key resources and opportunities.
E.g. The Myanmar government during Cyclone Nargis. This government is isolated from the international community and, thus, was not welcoming to international assistance in the aftermath of the cyclone.
Technology
Technology can improve our ability to forecast extreme events
Wealthier, more educated societies are more likely to have more advanced technology.
Management
Protection
Land Use Planning to reduce the effects of a storm surge on the most valuable areas
Concrete storm shelters are created in LEDCs
Cyclone and Hurricane Drills (Florida's project Safeside)
Prediction
The US have a 24 hour surveillance of tropical storms
They can evacuate people if the path of the hurricane is going towards a city
LEDCs have poor communications making it difficult to have a proper evacuation
Prevention
Extremely difficult to prevent a hurricane
Research into cloud seeding, could reduce a hurricane's strength