Geography - Hazards - Tropical Storms

What is the process for the step FORECAST?

- Development/movement are monitored - Warnings are issued to locations the storm is likely to hit - Forecasts for residents are available on the internet. - The forecast map includes an area/cone of uncertainty, where the storm may strike in a 3/5 day period.

What is the process for the step PREPARE?

- Many countries now have an education programme. - Leaflets/posters give advice on preparing a family disaster plan and survival kits. - Windproof tiles, water- resistant windows and strengthened building structures.

What is the disagreement about future tropical storms?

- Many people believe that global warming = more storms - Others believe that the number is the same but the intensity is increasing. - Some scientists believe it is a natural cycle and they will reduce again in the future.

What were the effects of Hurricane Andrew, Florida, USA, August 1992 (MDC)?

- PRIMARY - 30 deaths, 15 missing, buildings destroyed, affected 1.3 million people. - SECONDARY - Businesses forced to close, no telephones or electricity.

What are the effects of tropical storms

- PRIMARY - buildings, roads and vehicles destroyed/damaged, crops and animals killed, loss of habitats, fish and boats destroyed in storm surges. - SECONDARY - People suffer trauma/stress, diseases, communities broken up, food/water shortages, job loss, costs of repair, businesses closing (loss of income).

What were the effects of Hurricane Mitch, Honduras/Nicaragua/Guatemala/El Salvador, October 1998 (LDC)?

- PRIMARY -over 12.000 deaths, over 16.000 missing, crops lost, buildings destroyed, affected 3 million people. - SECONDARY - 700,000 homeless, shortages of food, clothing, medical supplies and a fear of cholera. No electricity, telephones or transport

Why is there disagreement?

- TECHNOLOGY - satellites only around since 1960s, before that we used ships logs, weather forecasts - not as accurate. Therefore have they actually increased in number? - MORE PEOPLE - world population now over 7 billion, if tropical storm occurs we are more likely to be affected. - NATURAL CYCLE - series of events in nature which repeat over and over again. Therefore not due to global warming alone.

What is the process for the step ACT?

- When a tropical storm has been forecast evacuation plans can be put in place. eg. training local people to organise evacuation or building homes on stilts instead of storm surges.

Where do tropical storms form?

Along the equator, and between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

What are tropical storms called that form above the Indian ocean?

Cyclones

What are the three steps to reduce the damage of tropical storms?

Forecast > Prepare > Act

What are tropical storms called that form above the Atlantic ocean?

Hurricanes

What is the eye?

It is the center of a tropical storm and is the calmest part.

How do tropical storms form?

Thunderstorms drift over seas > warm air from sea surface and thunderstorms combine, warm air starts to rise > more warm air rises and due to the Earth's rotation, starts to move in a spiral > it cools and condenses forms clouds, releasing energy > air starts to rise faster and cool air is sucked downwards > wind speed increases > storm moves over ocean picking up warm, moist air, wind speeds increase as more cold air is drawn into the eye.

What are tropical storms called that form above the Pacific ocean?

Typhoons

How are tropical storms measured?

Using the Saffir - Simpson scale. Category 1-5, 5 being the worst.

What conditions are needed for tropical storms to form?

Warm (surface temp over 27 degrees) and deep oceans.