1.3.4 Management of Tropical Storms

• Monitoring, Prediction & Planning

  • Some countries are more vulnerable to tropical storms than others
  • There are three types of vulnerability and contribute to the different methods of monitoring, prediction and planning:
  • Physical
  • Economic
  • Social
• Vulnerability of Tropical Storms

  Physical

  • Steep slopes increase the risk of landslides
  • Areas where tropical storms form are hit more frequently as they are in the path of the storm
  • Low-lying coastlines are vulnerable to storm surges, flooding and high winds
• Vulnerability of Tropical Storms

  Physical

  • Steep slopes increase the risk of landslides
  • Areas where tropical storms form are hit more frequently as they are in the path of the storm
  • Low-lying coastlines are vulnerable to storm surges, flooding and high winds
• Vulnerability of Tropical Storms

  Economic

  • Developing countries are economically vulnerable due to lack of money
  • Financial cost of repairs can be too much for some countries, some people may not have insurance
  • The cost of repairs for developed countries will be higher as the infrastructure and buildings are more complex and damage more intense.
• Vulnerability of Tropical Storms

  Social

  • In developing countries, buildings tend to be of poorer build quality and easily damaged
  • Harder to rescue people if infrastructure is damaged or is non- existent in some poorer countries
  • Health and well-being are impacted regardless of wealth, but poorer countries struggle to treat injuries and provide basic support.
• Monitoring - forecasting / prediction (1)

  • Weather charts, computer software, radar and satellites are used to track the development and approach of a tropical storm in HICs
  • The USA, has an effective hurricane monitoring system
  • The National Hurricane Centre, Florida, monitors all hurricane activity over the Eastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans
  • The National Weather Service will announce a 'hurricane watch' when storm winds are detected to alert people and give them time to prepare.
• Monitoring - forecasting / prediction (2)

  • Many LICs are less able to monitor tropical storms as the equipment is very expensive, plus the ability to communicate any information may be limited
  • Wind strength can be monitored by measuring its wind speed against the Saffir-Simpson 5-point scale
  • Monitoring systems, allows for several days of warnings to be given
  • This allows people time to prepare and or evacuate their homes and businesses.
• Planning (1)

  • Governments can plan evacuation routes to get people away from storms quickly and safely
  • People are encouraged to stock up on food and water as they may not be able to leave their home for several days following a storm
  • Training and education on the impacts of tropical storms along with information leaflets on what to do in the event, reduces injuries 
• Planning (2)

  • Boarding up windows, reinforcing doors etc, helps to reduce flying debris
  • Emergency services can train and prepare for disasters through practicing at regular intervals
  • Early warning systems can be used to reduce the number of people killed - Bangladesh has a loudspeaker system in villages and designated emergency shelters on high ground or stilts to stop flood waters from entering the building
• Protection

  • Protection means that buildings are less likely to be destroyed, so less people will die from collapsing buildings and falling debris
  • Defences such as sea walls and levees can be built along the coast to prevent damage from storm surges, 
  • Buildings can be designed to withstand tropical storms:
  • Building on stilts to avoid flood waters
  • Building with reinforced concrete
  • Fixed roofs rather than tiles
  • Have windows covered either with metal shutters or wooden planks
  • Protection can be expensive to put in place, but will save money in the long-term as there is less need for rebuilding
• Evacuation routes and emergency practice are considered planning to reducing impacts.