Typhoon Haiyan Philippines

Question 1

What is the alternative name for Typoon Haiyan?

Answer 1

Yolanda

Question 2

Why is this typhoon significant?

Answer 2

Strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded and the deadliest in Philippine history.

Question 3

Where did it originate?

Answer 3

from an area of low pressure in the Federated States of Micronesia (western Pacific Coast)

Question 4

Which path did it take?

Answer 4

It tracked westward and gradually developed into a tropical storm by 4th November.

Question 5

What happened on November 5th?

Answer 5

After a period of rapid intensification it reached typhoon intensity’

Question 6

It reached super typhoon - category 5 - how strong were the winds?

Answer 6

over 250 km/hr - gusts over 300km/hr

Question 7

What happened in Tacloban?

Answer 7

It was struck by the northern eyewall, the most powerful part of the storm causing great destruction.

Question 8

What was the central pressure when it hit Tacloban?

Answer 8

Central pressure had dropped to 895 mb and the highest wind speeds reached 315 km/hr.

Question 9

What is Haiyans record?

Answer 9

the most powerful storm to ever strike land.

Question 10

What path did it follow after reaching the Philippines?

Answer 10

Haiyan continued westward toward southeast Asia, reaching north Vietnam on November 10th as a severe tropical storm.

Question 11

What happened on November 11th?

Answer 11

Haiyan eventually dissipated as a tropical storm over southern China.

Question 12

What is the most effected region in the world for this type of hazard?

Answer 12

Tacloban - where tropical storms cross from the pacific ocean toward southeast Asia.

Question 13

What has happened to the population density in Tacloban in recent years.

Answer 13

population density has increased resulting in overcrowded residential areas.

Question 14

Why has the population density increased in Tacloban?

Answer 14

Filipinos moved in large numbers from he countryside for opportunities to work and make money.

Question 15

Why are people living in Tacloban vulnerable?

Answer 15

Many have poorly built homes on flat land nearest the sea making them vulnerable to surges and flooding.

Question 16

How does building on a slope make home vulnerable to high rainfall of tropical cyclones?

Answer 16

The building removes vegetation, which secured the land, without which the areas are subject to landslides which devastate whole communities.

Question 17

What do poorer communities suffer in the aftermath of a cyclone?

Answer 17

They are unable to provide for themselves, they look to regional and national government agencies who often do not have the resources to cope with such emergencies.

Question 18

Who are the people in places such as Tacloban dependent on after disasters?

Answer 18

foreign government aid and on NGOs, such as charitable organisations.

Question 19

Apart from severe winds what else did Haiyan cause?

Answer 19

1. very heavy rainfall - in one area of the Philippines 300mm fell in 12 hours.
2. huge storm surges - 6 meters - caused most of the damage and loss of life.

Question 20

Major effects of the storm.
How many fatalities and missing.

Answer 20

Over 6000 fatalities and 1000 missing - still found bodies in 2019 - possibly up to 10,000 dead.

Question 21

Major effects of the storm.
What was described as ‘off the scale’ and ‘apocalyptic’ ?

Answer 21

The damage to building and infrastructure in Tacloban - am American army officer said he did not believe that there is a single structure that was not destroyed or severely damaged.

Question 22

Major effects of the storm.
How many people were made homeless, displaced or fled to Manila?

Answer 22

1. Homeless - 2 million
2. Displaced - 6 million
3. fled to Manila - 20,000

Question 23

Major effects of the storm.
What happened on the on the Eastern side of Tacloban?

Answer 23

Low lying areas washed away.

Question 24

Major effects of the storm.
What was ‘cut off’?

Answer 24

Power systems and communication

Question 25

Major effects of the storm.
What made relief work almost impossible? (except from the air)

Answer 25

Flooding and landslides - major roads cut off.

Question 26

Responses to the typhoon
What was feared after the typhoon?

Answer 26

Substantial outbreaks of diseases such as cholera which would have resulted in a higher death toll.

Question 27

Responses to the typhoon
How was the disease outbreak prevented?

Answer 27

Prompt action by the world health organisation (WHO) and other agencies ensured that outbreaks such as dysentery, were kept to a minimum and in isolated.

Question 28

Responses to the typhoon
Why did other countries find supporting the area difficult?

Answer 28

Access was the main challenge - USA stated ‘ access remains a key challenge as some areas are still cut off from relief operations. Unknown numbers of survivors do not have basic necessities such as food, water and medicines and remains inaccessible for relief operations, road, airports and bridges were destroyed or covered in wreckage.’

Question 29

Responses to the typhoon
how did countries respond?

Answer 29

Cash donations and practical help

Question 30

Responses to the typhoon
how did countries respond?

Answer 30

Cash donations and practical help

Question 31

Responses to the typhoon
How did the UK respond?

Answer 31

Sent two navy warships to the Tacloban area with 200,000 tonnes of aid.

Question 32

Responses to the typhoon
How did the US respond?

Answer 32

sent numerous ships and aircraft and 13,000 service personnel