Examples of natural disasters: Caribbean Studies Flashcards
Hurricane Irma 2017
BVI
hit the BVI 2017
four deaths 125 injuries
destroyed infrastructure
and docks which affected tourism as the BVI is big on marine tourism
6944 buildings were affected severe damage to disaster management building and prison and prisoners got out
$3.2 B USD in damage, revenue losses and debris removal
the environmental losses-beaches, mangroves and seagrass beds, coral reefs.
Hurricane Irma 2017
Bermuda
infrastructure was the main damage done 81% of the buildings were destroyed and the island was deemed uninhabitable
the majority was moved to the sister island Antigua in government housing
housing , health services, telecommunications, electricity, water etc were affected
155 M USD in damages and losses
Tourism- bc of the damages some of the hotels were damaged to the point of no return and it lost it aesthetic value losing its 2017-2018 tourism years
Culture- loss of multiple historical and coastal geological sites
Hurricane Irma 2017
Bahamas
only the southern part of the archipelago islands were affected (Duncan Town, Matthew Town and Selena Point)
Grand Bahamas resulted in tornado activity
Inagua - water surges 70% of homes sustained roof damage
135M USD in damages
bc it affected along the coast- infrastructure such as: roads, ports and tourist facilities were the most susceptible to damage by the hurricane
This affected the livelihoods of the fishing communities (boats, equipment etc) the period it affected was during lobster season which is one of the most profitable and popular dishes/fishes, affecting the economy.
total damage of the tourism sector= 68 M USD
mainly affects to infrastructure not injuries or deaths
People were evacuated (1427) to 133 shelters
Earthquake in Haiti (2010)
(best reference)
7.0 magnitude
loss of life -100k -160k died
*most recorded deaths in an earthquake history
injuries and displacement- 100ks of people injured and millions left homeless
infrastructure damage-roads, buildings, hospitals were greatly damaged including the white house of Haiti which was left in shambles
Economy: 7.8-8.5 B USD in damage
more than the countries GDP
Environmental impact- landslides
Trinidad Recent Natural Disasters-
Flooding
South- January 2023
due to heavy rainfall- became impassable
effects- heavy traffic, Cipero and Bistabella river burst its banks in Green Acres causing flooded out homes
ODPM helped people out of their houses
August 2023
flooded due to heavy and continuous rainfall
at Penal Junction Road the river the water overflowed and impacted business activity
The Maruga Main Road became impassable and some drivers were stranded
POS November 2023
flooded and the roads were impassable and people were stranded
sludge and mud formed and the residents took it upon themselves to clean
Many of the shops and businesses closed for the day
Volcanic Eruptions in St. Vincent and Montstarrat 1997
1995 warning signs- dust and ash, pyroclastic flows, mudflows
1997- most violent eruption to this day
19 people died (people went back to their homes in the danger zones after being evacuated)
the capital city was destroyed completely
⅔ of the country became covered in ash making roads impassable and causing respiratory problems
over 200 buildings were destroyed
a small tsunami was caused and forest fires
Tourism and Farming were greatly affected because of the ash and destruction causing problems for families who relied on farming
more than ½ of the population left the island (1100 to 4000)
United Kingdom invested 580M Ueros into reconstruction
1999,2003,2006,2010 were eruptions but not as devastating as 1997
St. Vincent (2021)
Little earthquakes.
Explosions occurred creating ash plums.
NEMO helped shelter individuals.
No casualties duo to warning from PM.
Damaged vegetation, poor air quality and respiratory illnesses
Effects of natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricane, floods, droughts
Social Impact
▪ Loss of lives
▪ Social displacement
▪ Threat of diseases
▪ Emotional trauma
▪ Social unrest
▪ Rise in criminality – looting
Effects of natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricane, floods, droughts
Economic Impact
▪ Agriculture, tourism and manufacturing sector may be
devastated
▪ infrastructure damage
▪ job loss
▪ loss of potential earners of foreign exchange
▪ Financial instability
▪ Increased in food prices
▪ Increased importation of food
Volcanoes:
Positive Impact :
Fertile soils, tourist attractions, text for artists, potential geothermal energy
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