tropical storm hazards Flashcards
what is a hurricane
Atlantic Ocean
typhoon
Northwest Pacific Ocean.
cyclones
South Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.
what is required for a tropical storm to form
-sea with temps over 27 degrees
-70m+ deep water
-location of 5 degrees north or south of the equator
-fuel
-coriolis
how do storms form
incoming solar radiation causes surface heating. in an area of low pressure, air is heated over 27 degrees and deep 70m+ tropical oceans. converging winds are acted upon by the coriolis effect and incoming air spirals and accelerates around the depression. air rises and cools leading to condensation. latent heat is released which acts as feedback, fuelling further uplift
structure of a hurricane
-donut shape
-in the northern hemisphere there is a spiral counter clockwise
-in southern hemisphere there is a clockwise spiral
-can be up to a few hundred mile diameter and 9 miles high
what happens when a storm reaches land
there is less fuel for the storm as its not over water, so the storm begins to slow down
what is a tropical storm
an intense low pressure weather system that develops in tropical areas
where do storms occur
between 5 degrees and 20 degrees north and south of the equator
how are storms measured
saffir simpson scale
saffir simpson scale
this measures the scale of a tropical storm. measured in CAT 1-5.
5 is the largest with wind speeds over 155mph and 1 is the lowest with wind speeds of 74-95mph.
CAT 5 storms have the greatest damage and biggest storm surges.
storm surge
is a coastal flood or tsunami-like phenomenon of rising water commonly associated with low-pressure weather systems
example of a HIC storm
hurricane katrina
need to know about hurricane katrina
-gentilly vs uptown (low income area being more at risk and segregation)
-1836 deaths
-city is 50m below sea level
-8.5m storm surge
-cat 3
-120mph winds
-29th august 2005
why was hurricane katrina so catastorophic
the city of new orleans lies 50m below sea level which made it vulenrable t the 8.5 storm surge which entered the city. the city flooded and many people drowned. along with this the area known as gentilly is very poor which left people vulenrable
social impacts of hurricane katrina
1836 dead
homeless rates rise
looting and crime
economic impacts of hurricane katrina
200 billion dollar damage
loss of jobs
loss of businesses
political impacts of hurricane katrina
lack of response from govenment increased deaths which creates anger
gentilly vs uptown
gentilly: low lying ground where population is 78% african american. price of housing here is 211,000 and 41% of households are single parent, little access to car
uptown: high lying ground where population is 73% white, price of housing here is 410,000 and only 8% of households here are single parent, access to cars
responses to hurricane katrina
7.5m hot meals provided
1.3million invested to improve hurricane related broadcasting stations
7000 active duty officers sent
stadium opened to evacuate people
preperation for hurricane katrina
evacuation plans and signs.
however buses were not provided in time and many people in new orleans dont own a car so could not evacuate
mitigation after hurricane katrina
220miles of floodwalls and levees were replaced
example of an nee storm
typhoon haiyan in phillipines
need to know about typhoon haiyan
-cat 5
-GNI of $4700
-november 5 2013
-4m storm surge
-7500 deaths
-affected 9 million people