Management of Tropical Storms (SQA National 5 Geography): Revision Note
Exam code: X833 75
Methods of Prediction and Planning for Tropical Storms
Prediction
Prediction of tropical storms involves gathering data from a wide range of sources
Weather balloons and aircraft measure air pressure, humidity and wind speed and direction
Satellites track the location, size and movement of storms
Ocean buoys record sea surface temperature and wave height
Radar monitors rainfall intensity and tracks the movement and speed of storms
The data is fed into computer models that help to predict the likely path and intensity of the storm
Accurate prediction allows several days of warning to be given
This allows people to prepare and/or evacuate their homes and businesses, reducing deaths and injuries
However, accurate prediction is not easy because the strength and path of a tropical storm can change quickly
Planning
Governments can develop storm evacuation routes to help people leave quickly and safely
People can stock up on food and water, as they may not be able to leave their homes for several days after the storm
People can be educated about what to do to reduce damage and injuries
Windows should be boarded up and doors reinforced to reduce flying debris
Emergency services can be trained to improve hazard response
Monitoring and warning systems should be installed to reduce deaths and injuries
Land-use zoning can help to reduce impacts by limiting development in high-risk areas
Strategies Used to Respond to Tropical Storms
Responses to tropical cyclones can be divided into short-term and long-term responses
Short-term Responses | Long-term Responses |
Evacuation of people before the tropical storm arrives | Improve long-term forecasting techniques to give people more time to evacuate in the future |
Rescue people before the storm cuts people off from flooding and treat injured people | Provide aid, grants or subsidies to residents to repair and strengthen their properties |
Recover any dead bodies to reduce and prevent water and air borne diseases | Repair and improve flood defences - flood gates, levees, etc. |
Set up temporary shelters for the homeless and post notices where they are being housed for missing family members | Repair homes or rehouse people who have lost their homes or been damaged |
Provide temporary supplies of power, food and water and restore communication systems as soon as possible | Repair, replace and improve infrastructure |
Overseas aid may be sent in the form of workers, supplies, equipment or financial donations | Improve building regulations so that more buildings withstand the impacts of tropical storms or change planning rules to restrict homes being built in risk areas |
Tech companies encouraged to set up disaster response tools to let people confirm their safety, report damaged areas and alert about risk areas | Encourage economic recovery in the area and encourage people to return with incentives or tax breaks |
Protection against tropical storms
Preventing tropical storms is not possible, but several strategies can be used to minimise the impacts:
Buildings can be designed to withstand tropical storms to reduce the death toll
Buildings on stilts to avoid flood waters
Building with reinforced concrete to resist high wind speeds
Fixed roofs rather than tiles to reduce flying debris
Covering windows with shutters or wooden planks to prevent glass from shattering
Building sea walls and levees can prevent damage from storm surges
Restoring mangrove forests can reduce the impact by absorbing and dissipating wave energy and storm surges
Case Study
Case study: Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines, 2013
Short-term responses
Prior to Typhoon Haiyan, 750,000 people were evacuated
The Philippines declared ‘a state of national calamity’ and asked for international help the next day
International aid agencies responded quickly with food, water and temporary shelters
The Philippines Red Cross delivered basic food aid, e.g. rice & canned food
The UK sent shelter kits to provide emergency shelter for families
Over 1200 evacuation centres set up for the homeless
The French, Belgian and Israeli set up field hospitals to help the injured
Over $475 million was sent as aid and the US sent 13,000 soldiers
Long-term responses
The UN donated financial aid, supplies and medical support
Rebuilding of the airport, ports, roads and bridges
‘Cash for Work’ schemes paid local people to help clear the debris
The ‘Build Back Better’ scheme aimed to make sure buildings were more resistant to future storms
Oxfam helped to finance the replacement of fishing boats that were lost
More cyclone shelters were built further inland
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