Tropical storms Flashcards
regularity and predictability:
Storms tend to follow similar tracks, but each one responds uniquely to atmosphere and oceanographic conditions, therefore it i snot always possible to predict the track a storm will follow
Main areas of tropical storm formation
Usually between 5 and 30 latitudes, by Japan and Indonesia
Hurricane category 1
wind speed of 75-95 mph, some damage minor damage to homes and short-term power loss
Hurricane category 2
wind speed 96-110 mph, extensive damage: Major roof damage to buildings and near total power loss
Hurricane category 3
wind speed 111-129 mph, devastating damage: electricity and water unavailable for up to several weeks
Hurricane category 4
wind speed 130-156 mph, catastrophic damage: severe damage to homes, with long-lasting power outages and road blockages
Hurricane category 5
wind speed 157 mph+, Catastrophic damage: high percentage of homes destroyed area uninhabitable for weeks or months
Primary hazard
A primary effect is one that is directly caused by the disaster, is an integral part of the disaster itself; in the case of an earthquake, it would be the ground shaking, or in the case of a volcanic eruption, lava pouring out of the volcano.
Secondary hazards
hazards that result from an initial event but happen later. For example, mudslides are often common after hurricanes due to the rainfall brought by hurricanes and elevated river levels but are not directly caused by that hurricane.
Strong winds
Average wind speeds of 75 mph (119 km/h) or higher. Uprooted trees, structural damage to buildings, power outages, flying debris causing injury or fatalities, damaged power lines.
Storm surge
Rise in sea level due to low pressure and strong winds, typically up to 3m high moving inland. Coastal flooding of low-lying areas, agriculture land inundated with salt water and debris, housing and infrastructure damage and erosion. This is a major cause of damage and loss of life.
Heavy rainfall
Intense rainfall caused by warm humid air, up to 200 mm in a few hours. Flash flooding in urban areas due to impermeable surfaces, drain networks, high density development, river flooding, disrupted transport, agriculture damage, landslides.
Tornadoes
Small intense rotating storms. Localised damage to homes and infrastructure
Flooding
Flash flood, river floods, coastal flooding from storm surges. Displacement, contaminated water supplies, infrastructure damage
Landslides
Triggered by heavy rain saturating the soil. Blocked roads, destroyed homes, fatalities.
Contaminated water supplies
Caused by flooding, storm surges and damage to sanitation infrastructure. Spread of waterborne diseases.
Coastal erosion
Accelerated by storm surges and flooding. Loss of land destruction of habitats, damage to buildings infrastructure and coastal communities
Health risks
Diseases due to poor sanitation, water contamination, and mosquito-borne diseases (e.g. malaria, dengue). Deaths, illness
Power outages
Caused by wind damage to electricity infrastructure, disruption to water supply, healthcare and communication
Key ingredients of a tropical storm
Sea surface temperature needs to be 26 degrees or warmer, cluster of thunderstorms, earths rotation and light winds
What does the rotation of the earth cause?
An interesting phenomenon on free moving objects on the earth. The Coriolis effect causes objects to be deflected to the right in both hemispheres, influencing wind direction. It is too weak near the equator (within 5 degrees latitude) to generate the rotation needed for hurricanes, preventing storm formation in that region.
