Typhoon Haiyan Flashcards
Describe the formation timeline of Typhoon Haiyan.
Typhoon Haiyan formed from a tropical disturbance in the western Pacific Ocean, becoming a tropical depression on November 2nd, a tropical storm on November 3rd, and reaching typhoon strength on November 4th. It intensified into a super typhoon (category 5) by November 6th.
Explain the geographical impact of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines on November 8th, striking Guiuan and eastern Samar with category 5 strength, and then moved west across the country.
Define the wind speed characteristics of Typhoon Haiyan.
Typhoon Haiyan was categorized as a super typhoon with wind speeds reaching 195 mph and gusts up to 235 mph (380 km/h).
How significant was the storm surge during Typhoon Haiyan?
The storm surge during Typhoon Haiyan reached up to 23 feet (7 meters) in some areas.
Discuss the social impacts of Typhoon Haiyan on the population.
The storm resulted in over 6,300 deaths, thousands missing, and over 4.1 million people displaced, with many losing their homes permanently.
What health crises emerged as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?
Survivors faced hunger, dehydration, and disease outbreaks including cholera and dysentery, compounded by the destruction of hospitals which delayed medical aid.
Identify the economic damages caused by Typhoon Haiyan.
The total cost of damage from Typhoon Haiyan exceeded $14 billion, with 1.1 million homes destroyed, 33 million coconut trees lost, and significant infrastructure damage including airports, roads, and power lines.
Explain the impact of Typhoon Haiyan on vulnerable communities.
The poorest regions suffered the most, with many survivors lacking access to food, water, or shelter for days after the storm.
Describe the size of Typhoon Haiyan.
Typhoon Haiyan was over 600 km (373 miles) in diameter.
Describe the impact of job losses due to the storm.
Over 6 million workers lost their jobs as fishing boats and farms were destroyed, leading to a reduction in food supplies.
Explain the effects of the storm on tourism.
Coastal resorts and beaches were destroyed, resulting in a significant decline in tourism.
How did the storm affect the environment in terms of flooding and coastal destruction?
Thousands of hectares of farmland were flooded and coastal areas eroded, which reduced food production and increased vulnerability to future storms.
Define the consequences of deforestation and landslides caused by the storm.
Trees were uprooted and hillsides collapsed, which increased the risks of future landslides.
What was the impact of water contamination following the storm?
Sewage and chemicals mixed with floodwaters, leading to contaminated drinking water.
Explain the political backlash faced by the Philippine Government after the storm.
The government faced major criticism due to a slow response, delayed relief efforts, and chaotic air distribution.
Describe the international response to the disaster.
Over $1.5 billion in aid was pledged from various countries and organizations, with military and humanitarian teams sent by the US, UK, Japan, and the UN.
How did the disaster lead to reforms in disaster management?
The storm prompted improvements in emergency response plans and stronger building codes.
Discuss the challenges faced in tracking the storm.
Although the storm was tracked by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration, they underestimated its strength.
What were the consequences of evacuation orders issued during the storm?
Evacuation orders were issued, but many residents did not evacuate in time, leading to increased risks.
Explain why many buildings and evacuation centers were inadequate during the storm.
Despite being hit by over 20 typhoons a year, Haiyan’s extreme strength caught officials off guard, meaning many structures were not strong enough to withstand the storm.
Describe the immediate responses to the disaster mentioned in the content.
Immediate responses included rescue missions led by the Philippine military and Red Cross, the US sending aircraft and troops for aid, and the UN and international NGOs providing food, water, and medical assistance.
Explain the challenges faced during the immediate relief efforts after the disaster.
Challenges included blocked roads that delayed supplies, looting and violence as survivors searched for food, and the collapse of local governments which further delayed relief efforts.
What was the outcome of the recovery efforts mentioned in the content?
The recovery included the rebuilding of over 200,000 homes, the introduction of the ‘Build Back Better’ policy, and the reconstruction of the Tacloban airport and roads.
How did international aid contribute to the recovery process after the disaster?
Countries like Japan, the US, and the UK provided billions in aid, while the World Bank and Asian Development Bank offered loans for rebuilding projects.
