Tropical Cyclone

Question 1

Tropical Storms

Answer 1

Tropical Storms are intense low pressure weather systems that develop in the tropics. They are huge spinning storms with strong winds and torrential rain.

Several conditions are needed for a tropical storm to form.

• Sea water temperature over 27c
• An ocean depth of at least 70 metres
• A location at least 5c North or South of the equator in order that the Coriolis force can bring about the maximum rotation of the air.
• Low level of convergence of air in the lower atmosphere. This forces warm air to rise.

Question 2

Hurricane Katrina - Impacts

Answer 2

A storm hit the south east USA in 2005. It formed over the Bahamas.

It moved North West and strengthened as it pass over the warm water over the golf of Mexico. By the time it struck Louisiana and Mississippi on the 29th August, it was a category 3 hurricane. It brough winds of around 200km/h and 200-250mm of rainfall.

Impacts

• Social -
  1836 people killed
  300,000 houses destroyed
  3 million without electricity
  Water supplies polluted
  18 Schools in New Orleans were destroyed.
• Economic -
  230,000 jobs were lost from damaged businesses
  Cost of damage was $300 billion
  5300km of forest was destroyed in Mississippi
• Environmental-
  Coastal habitats damaged
  Flooding of salt marches led to habitat loss

Question 3

Hurricane Katrina - Responces

Answer 3

Effective warning systems helped the USA respond rapidly

The USA has a monitoring system to predict if and where a hurricane will hit. On August 26th the National Hurricane Centre issued a warning for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

This helped them start preparing
- The US coast guard positioned helicopters and boats around the area liekly to be affected.
- Some areas, ordered mandatory evacuation

The response continued auring the hurricane and after it had passed.
- Emergency shelters were set up for people who hadnt evacuated
- The coastguard, police and fire service resuced over 50,000 people
- Organisations sent search and rescue teams and supplies into the area.

Question 4

Cyclone Nargis - Impacts

Answer 4

A storm formed in the Bay of Bengal, as it approached the coast of Myanmar it strengthened to a Category 4 cyclone. On May 2nd it hit the coast of Myanmar with winds speeds around 215km/h. One of the least developed countries in the world.

Impacts

• Social -
  More than 140,000 people were killed
  450,000 houses were destroyed
  4000 schools were destroyed
  Suffered from diseases caused by poor sanitation and contaminated water.
  Almost 70% of people gas no access to clean water
• Economic -
  Total cost of damage was around $4 billion
  Over 6000km of agricultural land was damaged
  Millions of people lost their livelihoods (fishing boats destroyed)
  Over 40% of food stores were destroyed

Environmental
380km of mangrove forests were destroyed
Flooding caused erosion

Question 5

Cyclone Nargis - Responces

Answer 5

Myanmar wasn’t prepared for Cyclone Nargis and responded slowly

Myanmar doesn’t have a hurricane monitoring system, Myanmar weather forecasters issued warnings the cyclone was coming on TV, Radio, however it’s claimed they didn’t say how server or any advice on how to prepare/evacuate.

There were no emergency preparation plans or evacuation plans

Dictatorship refused certain aid and didn’t allow aid workers into the country until the 19th may. 2 weeks after the cyclone, causing a lot more deaths.