Hurricane Video Flashcards
what did the scientists learn from the simulation of the fictional Hurricane Pam?
even a slow moving category 3 storm would flood New Orleans, devastating it.
many deaths, injuries, and even more homeless
how have we been improving the forecasting of hurricanes?
due to a greater understanding of atmospheric dynamics, and extensive satellite coverage, and airplane hunters(??) with external sensors to build up more detailed pictures
what role do wetlands play? how have they been altered and what has been the impact?
provided defence for hurricanes. when wetlands were flooded, they were strengthened and replenished, soaking up water from storm surges…
levees prevents soil from being flooded -> weakened and more vulnerable to saltwater reproachment
as wetlands disappear, storm surges rise
why were the large drainage pumps useless in pumping out water during this event? What was one of the main problems with the drainage system?
couldn’t stop water from rushing into the canals. system designed to keep water out but has no provision to remove water that entered the city, e.g. from failure of flood wall
they created drainage canals -> dry soil, organic matter breaking down and soil shrinks, causing the city to sink further -> more prone to floods esp when banks are destroyed (a man made flood occurred)
what are two strategies suggested to best decrease the risk to people in New Orleans from future hurricanes?
inverting the bowl of New Orleans but this destroys?? the environment
restore coastal wetlands that knock down the surge and reduce wind energy – let parts of the river run wild as they did before to rebuild the wetlands thru soil etc.
