Storm Hazards Basics From Cfbs Booklet Flashcards
What is a tropical storm?
A low pressure weather hazard with giant spinning storms that have average wind speeds in excess of 75mph
What’s the eye wall?
The area surrounding the eye of the storm and it’s the most powerful and destructive part of the storm
What is the coriolis effect?
The influence of the earths rotation that initiates the roaring of the tropical storm
What is wind shear?
The uniformity of the winds
What is a storm surge?
Large waves of up to 15 meters high caused by strong winds
What is mitigation?
Action taken to reduce or eliminate the long term risk to human life and property from natural hazards
What year was hurricane Katrina?
2005
How many were killed in hurricane Katrina?
1,800
What’s the most significant thing about hurricane Katrina?
It was the disaster that caused the most economic damage in the USA than any previous natural disaster
What are the factors that affects the distribution of tropical storms?
High temperatures 26 degrees
Atmospheric instability
Coriolis effect
The oceans is what the tropical stones derive their moisture from through evaporation
What measures tropical storms?
Saffir Simpson scale measured 1-5 based on the sustained wind speed it doesn’t take into account other storm hazards like storm surges and flooding
How much is the intensity of tropical storms predicted to increase by 2100?
2-11%
What will climate change doing to the patterns of where storms occur?
Moving to the mid latitudes which was unprecedented and this could potentially effect cities like New York Boston and Beijing
What are the storm hazards associated with tropical storms?
Landslides
Storm surges
Flooding
Strong winds
How do strong winds contribute to storm hazards?
75mph
Tear off roofs, breaking windows, damage communication networks, damage power lines
Debris on roads cause major transport disruption
How do storm surges contribute to storm hazards?
Flooding low lying areas
Inundation of agricultural land with saltwater and debris
Polluting freshwater supplies
Destroying housing and infrastructure
Enhanced coastal erosion
When was hurricane Katrina and what was the storm surge height?
2005
Storm surge 7.6m
What was the first recorded hurricane in the south Atlantic?
2004
Catarina
90mph winds
Torrential rainfall
Reflection of global warming because this is unprecedented
How is coastal and river flooding a hazard?
Torrential rainfall
Often in excess of 200mm in just the first few hours
Flash flooding
Why are urban areas more at risk of flooding
Impermeable surfaces
Water can overwhelm the drainage system
Encouraging rapid overland flow
What percentage of landslides are caused by heavy rainfall?
90%
This increases pore water pressure which weakens cohesions and triggers slope failure
What was one of the most dangerous landslides caused by storms?
1998
Hurricane Mitch
One of the North Atlantics most powerful tropical storms
18,000 people in Central America
