Typhoon Haiyan

Question 1

Where did Typhoon Haiyan effect? and What date did it hit this area?

Answer 1

• Affected the Philippines
• November 2013

Question 2

Why was Haiyan one of the strongest storms ever recorded?

Answer 2

• Winds reached up to 315km/hr in Tacloban

Question 3

How much rain fell in some areas? What time period did it fall in?

Answer 3

• 280mm
• 12 hrs

Question 4

How did the storm develop?

Answer 4

• It originated from an area of low pressure and tracked Westward, eventually being classed as a category 5 storm.

Question 5

What is Taclobans population density?

Answer 5

• 1200 per km^2

Question 6

What is Housing like in Tacloban?

Answer 6

• Many built poorly, constructed home on marginal land near the
  flat coast or on steep hillsides.

Question 7

What are the dangers of building on marginal land?

Answer 7

• Due to the steep gradient of the land, communities are vulnerable to flooding, storm surges or landslides.

Question 8

Why are evacuation programs in coastal communities met with resistance?

Answer 8

• Perception.
• hard headedness and ignorance to potential impacts of living in a hazardous area.
• hesitance to move due to peoples priorities.

Question 9

What are other reasons for disaster evacuation programs being met with resistance?

Answer 9

• Previous experiences with evacuation programs cast doubt on their value of saving their lives.
  (Evacuation areas can be even more dangerous compared to coastal homes)
• move from hazard zones to death zones.

Question 10

What were the effects of Haiyan in Tacloban City?

Answer 10

• 90% of the city destroyed
• flooding 1km in land
• 5m storm surges

Question 11

How many estimated fatalities?

Answer 11

• 6300 confirmed across the country
• Philippine Red Cross estimated 22,000 still missing in late 2015

Question 12

What was the total cost of damage?

Answer 12

• $12 Billion

Question 13

What effect did Haiyan have on farming?

Answer 13

• 1 million farmers and 600,000 hectacres affected
  -1.1 million crops destroyed

Question 14

What happened with the Philippines coconut oil industry?

Answer 14

• 33 million trees were damaged or destroyed
• Philippines is the world’s largest coconut oil producer, accounting for half of its agricultural exports.
• total loss was $724 million

Question 15

Outline the environmental impact of uprooted trees in Tacloban.

Answer 15

• Carbon Burp due to release of carbon from trees and soil (associated with reduced rates of photosynthesis)
• Positive Feedback loop (more co2 released, more climate change)

Question 16

How many trees were estimated to be uprooted?

Answer 16

• over 320 million
• mangrove forests destroyed
  (effective carbon sink and barrier for sea level changes)

Question 17

Outline human secondary effects of Haiyan.

Answer 17

• Rioting and Looting
• Aid trucks ambushed as survivors fought for food and supplies.
  (8 people trampled).
• Slow recovery efforts forced residents to seek any means necessary to survive (leading to increased looting).
• Government Admins stated looting was a consequence of self-preservation, not a criminal offense.

Question 18

Outline physical secondary effects of Haiyan.

Answer 18

• Groundwater and Surface Water freshwater stores were contaminated with seawater, sewage and industrial waste.
• 800,000 litre oil leak
• 94% of fishing equipment damaged, water was too contaminated.

Question 19

Outline effects of Haiyan in other countries

Answer 19

China:
- 30 killed
- due to extensive flooding (river swell)
- cost in damage $750 million
Taiwan:
- 8m storm surges killing 8 people
- Economic cost around $16 Million.

Question 20

Outline Responses to Haiyan

Answer 20

• 800,000 were evacuated following televised warnings
• Many found refuge in a stadium, but many died when it flooded
• Curfew was introduced to reduce looting
• Within 2 weeks, 1 Million food packs and 250,000 litres of water were distributed

Question 21

What was the criticism by the UN regarding the Philippine Government response?

Answer 21

• Logjam of aid getting to those most in need.
• 5 days after the storm passed there were still residents without basic necessities.
• Government put blame on local councils for slow response.
• still reserves in the aid fund that remain untapped. (protests 5 years on)