Tropical Storms(hazards)

Question 1

What year had the highest count of tropical storms ?

Answer 1

2005

3-5 storms on record

Question 2

What are the physical factors that impact a tropical storm

Answer 2

Intensity of the storm

Speed of movement( length of time over an area)

Distance from sea

The physical geography of the area affected

Question 3

What are the human factors which affect the impact of tropical storms ?

Answer 3

Preparedness
Protection
Response
Distance from sea

Question 4

When are tropical storms most frequent ?

Answer 4

At the beginning of September

Question 5

What are the primary impacts of tropical storms

Answer 5

Heavy rainfall
(>100mm / day)
* High winds (>120 km/h)
* Storm surge (tidal surge)

Question 6

What are the secondary impacts of a tropical storm ?

Answer 6

Flooding
* Landslide / mudslide
* Damage to buildings, roads & bridges
* Loss of power / communication cables
* Crop failure
* Flying debris
* Wildfires
* Injury & death
* Loss of revenue to the area

Question 7

What are the social impacts of a tropical storm ?

Answer 7

Death

Homeliness

Disease

PTSD

Damage yo property and infrastructure
Looting

Loss of jobs

Question 8

What are the economic impacts of tropical storms

Answer 8

Cost of repair

Loss of business

Increase in oil prices

Loss of crops

Loss of exports

Increase insurance prices

Question 9

What are the environmental impacts of an earthquake

Answer 9

Damage to ecosystems

Silting up of waterways

Mudslides

Loss of habitat

Flooding

Question 10

How do government predict tropical storms ?

Answer 10

Each year NOAA (US Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) publishes a prediction of hurricane seasonsfor the forthcoming season.

It uses a number of indicators, such as sea surface temperatures, atmospheric conditions and short term climate cycles to suggest the number of storms that might be expected.

Question 11

What are some methods of prediction ?

Answer 11

National Hurricane Centre & Joint Typhoon
Warning System
* Provide coverage for the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
* Use geostationary and orbiting satellites to gather data.
* Information on storm structure, rain, wind speed and direction is
gathered.
* Run numerical models through supercomputers on a daily basis to
allow prediction of storm tracks