Storm Hazards in Contrasting Areas of the Word - (Typhoon Haiyan and Hurricane Katrina) Flashcards
When and where did Typhoon Haiyan make landfall?
8th November 2013, Philippines — it struck as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 195 mph (315 km/h).
Why is the Philippines vulnerable to typhoons like Haiyan?
It’s a group of islands in the South China Sea, regularly hit by typhoons; warm seas (30°C) and rising sea levels (+20cm since 1900) worsen storm surges.
How did geography increase the storm’s impact in Tacloban?
Tacloban is at the end of a funnel-shaped bay, which concentrated a 15m storm surge, causing devastating coastal flooding.
What were the key characteristics of Typhoon Haiyan?
Lowest pressure: 895 mb
Rainfall: 400 mm
Wind radius: 53 miles
Peak wind speed: 196 mph
Storm surge: 15 metres
What were the primary social impacts of Typhoon Haiyan?
6,201 deaths
1.1 million homes lost
Over 4 million people displaced
16 million affected overall
What were the secondary social impacts?
28,626 casualties due to delayed aid
Refugee influx to less-affected areas
Risk of disease from lack of water/sanitation
21,000 families still in evacuation centres 2 months later
🧠 Analysis: Aid delays worsened suffering and caused preventable deaths. Loss of homes and jobs led to social instability and migration pressures.
What was the estimated economic cost of Typhoon Haiyan?
$13 billion
How did Typhoon Haiyan impact agriculture and industry?
50,000–120,000 tons of sugar lost
130,000+ tonnes of rice lost
175,000 acres of farmland destroyed ($85 million)
Tacloban City was decimated
Coconut industry crippled (33 million trees felled)
🧠 Analysis: Economic recovery was hindered due to destroyed export crops and infrastructure. Loss of livelihoods impacted local markets.
What was the long-term economic challenge for the Philippines?
Debt cycle — over 20% of government revenue used to repay foreign debt, reducing funds for recovery.
What environmental damage did Haiyan cause?
Loss of forests, widespread flooding
Oil and sewage leaks polluted ecosystems
90% of farmers affected in rural areas
Coconut trees lost → 15 million tons of rotting timber attracted pests
🧠 Analysis: Loss of natural resources caused long-term ecological and economic challenges, especially for subsistence farmers and biodiversity.
What political issues were caused by Typhoon Haiyan?
Government was accused of being unprepared
Widespread protests over slow response
President Aquino requested aid the day after
$3 billion allocated for long-term recovery
New disaster preparedness policies introduced
🧠 Analysis: Public dissatisfaction pressured political reform, triggering greater future investment in preparedness and resilience.
What emergency measures were taken immediately after Haiyan?
State of national calamity declared
International aid sent: food, water, shelter
UK sent shelter kits
1,200+ evacuation centres set up
$475 million international aid
US sent 13,000 troops
Red Cross distributed food aid
Field hospitals from France, Belgium, Israel
🧠 Analysis: International support was vital, but delays (5+ days) led to only 20% of victims receiving aid on time — worsening secondary impacts.
What were the key long-term responses to the disaster?
Rebuilding of airports, ports, roads, bridges
‘Cash for Work’ schemes to help locals earn money clearing debris
Oxfam helped replace fishing boats
Cyclone shelters built further inland to reduce future risk
🧠 Analysis: Long-term responses focused on resilience and economic recovery, especially for farmers and fishermen. Risk reduction was central to planning.
How did Typhoon Haiyan influence future risk management?
Increased investment in preparedness and early warning systems
More cyclone shelters built inland = mitigation & adaptation
Policies aimed at reducing poverty to improve resilience
International support helped shape better disaster response frameworks
🧠 Analysis: Haiyan exposed weaknesses in emergency planning but triggered significant adaptation measures to reduce the impact of future hazards.
What category and characteristics did Hurricane Katrina have at landfall?
Category 3 hurricane with:
Winds of ~200 km/h
Rainfall of 200–250 mm
Storm surge up to 8.5 m in Mississippi
What caused such devastating flooding in New Orleans?
The storm surge and rainfall overwhelmed levees, flooding over 80% of the city.
What were the primary social impacts of Hurricane Katrina?
1,836 deaths
300,000 homes destroyed
3 million people lost power
One of the main highways, the I-10 bridge, collapsed
18 schools destroyed, 74 damaged
🧠 Analysis: The disaster severely disrupted infrastructure, health, and education, and displaced hundreds of thousands.
What were the secondary social impacts of the hurricane?
Widespread homelessness
Contaminated water supplies → 5 deaths from polluted water
Mass displacement created long-term housing shortages and mental health issues
What was the total cost of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina?
Estimated at $300 billion, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in US history.
How was employment and industry affected?
230,000 jobs lost due to business destruction
30 oil platforms damaged/destroyed
Ports like Gulfport were hit, disrupting shipping and trade
5300 km² of forest lost = $5 billion in lost logging income
🧠 Analysis: Key industries like oil and forestry suffered major setbacks, affecting national and local economies long-term.
What environmental damage did Hurricane Katrina cause?
Damaged coastal habitats and turtle nesting beaches
Destroyed conservation areas like Breton National Wildlife Refuge
Oil spills from flooded refineries
Salt marshes flooded, leading to permanent habitat loss
🧠 Analysis: Sensitive ecosystems were irreparably damaged, increasing coastal vulnerability to future storms.
What political issues arose from Hurricane Katrina?
Government faced criticism for slow and inadequate response
Highlighted inequality in disaster preparedness and response, especially in low-income and Black communities
Led to long-term reform in FEMA’s role and emergency planning strategies
🧠 Analysis: Katrina exposed systemic weaknesses in emergency governance and disaster management at federal and local levels.
How was early warning and preparedness handled before Katrina?
National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued warnings from 26th August
FEMA and US Coast Guard pre-positioned rescue teams and supplies
Around 80% of New Orleans residents evacuated
🧠 Analysis: Despite advanced warning systems, evacuation was uneven, and many vulnerable people were left behind.
What were the emergency responses during and after the hurricane?
Emergency shelters like the Superdome housed 26,000 people
50,000+ people rescued by coastguard, army, police, and fire services
Charities raised $4 billion for aid
Search and medical teams deployed quickly after the storm
🧠 Analysis: Large-scale rescue efforts were successful, but many criticised delays in delivering basic needs like food and water.
What long-term responses followed Hurricane Katrina?
Levees rebuilt and strengthened around New Orleans
Housing and infrastructure reconstruction began, though slow and uneven
FEMA reorganised to improve future response and coordination
New policies introduced to prioritise vulnerable populations
🧠 Analysis: Long-term resilience improved, but recovery was slower in poorer areas, reinforcing social inequality.
How did risk management before the storm help reduce the impact?
Advanced monitoring and early warning systems allowed timely evacuation
FEMA pre-deployed teams, reducing loss of life
Coordination across federal and state agencies improved preparedness
What lessons in mitigation and adaptation were learned after Katrina?
Improved levee and flood defence systems
More robust evacuation plans and shelter networks
Focus on equity and inclusion in emergency management
Investment in wetland restoration to buffer future storm surges
🧠 Analysis: Katrina became a turning point in US hazard preparedness, with stronger emphasis on long-term adaptation and disaster resilience.
How did the death toll from Hurricane Katrina and Typhoon Haiyan compare?
Hurricane Katrina (2005): 1,836 deaths (mainly in Louisiana and Mississippi).
Typhoon Haiyan (2013): 6,201 deaths (mainly in the Philippines, especially in Tacloban).
🧠 Analysis: Despite being a wealthier nation, the USA still suffered significant loss of life, but the Philippines, as an LIC, faced a much higher death toll, often due to poorer building infrastructure, lack of emergency services, and slower aid response.
How many people were displaced by each storm?
Hurricane Katrina: 1 million displaced (mainly from New Orleans).
Typhoon Haiyan: Over 4 million displaced (mainly in Tacloban and surrounding areas).
🧠 Analysis: Haiyan caused a much greater displacement in terms of sheer numbers, as the Philippines had fewer shelters and less infrastructure to absorb the displaced population.
How were education systems affected?
Hurricane Katrina: 18 schools destroyed, 74 damaged, disrupting education in New Orleans.
Typhoon Haiyan: More than 4,000 schools damaged in the Philippines.
🧠 Analysis: Both storms caused widespread destruction of schools, but the sheer number of educational institutions damaged was far greater in the Philippines due to limited resilience in rural areas.
How did the economic costs of each disaster compare?
Hurricane Katrina: Estimated at $300 billion in total damages (mainly to infrastructure, homes, and businesses).
Typhoon Haiyan: Estimated at $13 billion in damages (mainly to infrastructure and agriculture).
🧠 Analysis: The economic costs of Hurricane Katrina were far higher than Typhoon Haiyan, reflecting the wealthier economy of the USA and the higher levels of infrastructure destruction in an HIC. However, the Philippines still faced severe economic impacts despite having a lower total damage figure.
How was the workforce affected?
Hurricane Katrina: 230,000 jobs lost (mainly due to damage to businesses, oil platforms, and shipping).
Typhoon Haiyan: Destruction of coconut plantations (important for 50% of agricultural exports) and 90% of rural population reliant on small-scale farming.
🧠 Analysis: Both storms disrupted key industries, but Typhoon Haiyan’s economic impact was especially severe on agriculture, which is critical in an LIC like the Philippines.
What environmental damage was caused by the two storms?
Hurricane Katrina:
Flooding caused by levee breaches led to oil spills and coastal habitat destruction (including wetlands).
Forest loss in Mississippi: 5,300 km² destroyed, worth $5 billion in lost income.
Typhoon Haiyan:
33 million coconut trees felled, 15 million tons of timber rotting.
Destruction of sea turtle breeding areas and flooding of salt marshes, which worsened future vulnerability.
🧠 Analysis: Both hurricanes caused massive environmental damage, but Haiyan’s destruction of agricultural resources (especially coconut trees) was especially damaging in a country reliant on small-scale farming. In contrast, Katrina’s damage to industrial infrastructure (e.g., oil refineries) was a significant concern for the USA.
How did the political responses to Hurricane Katrina and Typhoon Haiyan differ?
Hurricane Katrina:
Slow initial response by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
Widespread protests and criticism of the US government’s preparedness and response.
Rebuilding efforts were slow and uneven, particularly in poorer areas like New Orleans.
Typhoon Haiyan:
Government requests for international aid were made quickly, but the UN admitted slow initial response.
Protests against the government for unpreparedness and slow aid distribution.
Rebuilding aid and international donations played a large role in recovery, with a $475 million aid commitment.
🧠 Analysis: Both countries struggled with response times, but the US was better able to deploy resources quickly despite initial failures. The Philippines required significant international support due to its limited infrastructure and financial resources.
How did preparedness and warnings differ between the two storms?
Hurricane Katrina:
Advanced warning systems in the USA predicted the storm.
80% of New Orleans evacuated before landfall.
Government agencies were prepared, but lacked timely response for vulnerable populations.
Typhoon Haiyan:
Early warning issued by Philippine authorities, but weaker infrastructure and communication systems led to less effective evacuation and preparedness in poorer areas.
Limited capacity for evacuation in rural areas and informal settlements.
🧠 Analysis: While both countries had early warning systems, the USA’s more advanced infrastructure allowed for more effective evacuations. In contrast, the Philippines’ less developed infrastructure led to greater loss of life.
How did the short-term and long-term responses differ between the two countries?
Hurricane Katrina:
Short-term: Evacuations were mostly successful, but aid was delayed. Federal response was initially inadequate.
Long-term: $300 billion in damages required significant rebuilding, with slow recovery, particularly for low-income areas. Reforms in FEMA and disaster planning.
Typhoon Haiyan:
Short-term: Immediate aid from international charities and governments. Temporary shelters set up.
Long-term: $475 million in international aid for reconstruction. Focus on building cyclone-resistant homes and improving disaster preparedness.
🧠 Analysis: Both countries experienced slow recovery, but the Philippines required more international assistance, whereas the USA had a larger internal capacity to respond.
What are the key disparities between the impacts of Hurricane Katrina in the USA and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines?
Economic Impact: Katrina had a higher total cost ($300 billion) compared to Haiyan ($13 billion) due to stronger industrial infrastructure in the USA.
Death toll: The death toll was higher in the Philippines (6,201) compared to the USA (1,836) due to poorer infrastructure, slower evacuation, and weaker disaster preparedness in an LIC.
Environmental Recovery: Both countries suffered from environmental destruction, but Haiyan’s destruction of agricultural assets (e.g., coconut trees) had a more direct impact on local livelihoods.
Political Response: Both governments faced criticism for slow responses, but the USA had more resources for a quicker recovery, while the Philippines required significant international aid.
