geo case studys

• Typhoon Heian


  • Happened in 2013
  • Affected the Philippines
• Track of Typhoon Heian


  1. Started in the Pacific Ocean

  2. Traveled through the center of the Philippines

  3. Hit major cities
• Primary effects of Typhoon Heian


  • Wind speeds of 314 km/h
  • Homes, buildings and shops damaged
  • Infrastructure damage (airport)
  • Power cuts
  • 5 meter storm surge
  • 400 mm of rainfall
  • Farmers and fishing industry lost jobs
  • Damage cost of $724 million
• Secondary effects of Typhoon Heian


  • Oil barge ran aground, causing 800,000 liters of oil leak
  • Oil contaminated 10 hectares of mangroves
  • Fishing had to stop due to contaminated water
  • Looting due to lack of food and supplies
  • Price of rice increased by 11.9%
  • Increased risk of disease and infection
  • Affected 14.1 million people, 5 million of whom were already living in poverty
• Short-term responses to Typhoon Heian


  • 800,000 people evacuated
  • Televised warnings from the President
  • 1 million food packs distributed
  • Power restored after 1 week
  • $1.5 billion in aid received
• Long-term responses to Typhoon Heian


  • Build Back Better scheme to upgrade destroyed buildings
  • No build zone introduced near the shoreline
  • Storm surge warning system introduced
• agriculture is the most important industry as it provides food security to the population
• the main industries are agriculture, tourism, mining, manufacturing, and services