Measuring + vulnerability of tropical cyclones

What is the saffir simpson scale?

Used to measure impact of a hurricane in 5 categories, with wind speed

Category 1 of saffir simpson?

119-153km/h Minimal - Unanchored mobile homes, vegetatiion, signs

Category 2 of saffir simpson?

154-177km/h Moderate - All mobile homes, roofs, small crafts, flooding

Category 3 of saffir simpson?

178 - 208 km/h Extensive - small buildings, low lying roads cut off

Category 4 of saffir simpson?

209-249 km/h Extreme - Roofs destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, mobile homes are destroyed, beach homes flooded

Category 5 of saffir simpson?

250+km/h Catastrophic - Many buildings destroyed, vegetation destroyed, major roads cut off, homes flooded

What are the benefits of the Saffir-Simpson Scale?

Easy to understand so easily conveys the risks

What are the critics of the saffir simpson scale?

• Location that the hurricane hits matters, storm surge and rainfall are more apparent + accurate to measure damage but unable to take all the data in.

• Instead measure air pressure in the centre of the eye

Physical vulnerability to Hurricanes….

• Coastal areas so there is a high chance of storm surge, low relief areas like maldives.

• Steep relief has a higher chance of landslides

What does vulnerability to tropical cyclones mean

How likely a country or area is to be affected badly by a tropical cyclone due to its physical, economic, and social characteristics

Name two physical factors that increase vulnerability to tropical cyclones

Low

Give two economic factors that affect vulnerability to tropical cyclones

Low levels of development (less money for defences and poorer quality buildings) and high cost of repairs (too expensive for poorer countries)

Which social groups are most vulnerable to tropical cyclones

Old and young people (struggle to evacuate) and people in poverty (less access to shelter, food, clean water, and medical care)

How does a high frequency of storms increase vulnerability

There is little time to recover or rebuild before the next storm hits

Why does lack of education increase vulnerability to cyclones

People may not know how to prepare for or respond to a storm, leading to panic and more severe impacts

How do developed countries reduce vulnerability to tropical cyclones

Better weather prediction, stronger infrastructure, and effective emergency planning and evacuation procedure