Severe Weather - Chapter 14

Severe weather

A weather event that is significantly different from the usual weather an area experiences. Also puts people and  animals in dnager or causes considerable damage to buildings. This may take place over one day or a period of time

Tropical Storms

Huge storms that develop in the Tropics (a region of the earth north and south of the equator). In the US and the Caribbean, they are called hurricanes. In  Australia and south-east Asia, they are called cyclones, and in Japan they are called typhoons

Tropical storm formation

Usually form over tropical oceans, usually duaring late summer/early autumn. They need two things to get them started : heat, moist air

The warm, moist air rises. As it rises, it cools and condenses

This creates an area of low pressure

As the earth rotates, it creates winds, which blow inward towards the center of the low pressure area. In the northern hemi-sphere, the air moves anti-clockwise

Water is drawn upwards from the ocean

When wind speeds reach 120km, the storm is officially named a tropical storm.

he storm develops an ‘eye’ in the middle ( an area of calm weather)

The storm is carried across the ocean, getting stronger as it goes

When it reaches land, friction with the earth’s surface causes it to slow down and weaken

Saffir-Simpson Scale

The scale that measures hurricanes.

Has 5 categories base don a hurricanes’ sustained wind speed. The scal estimates potential damage

Economic Impact of Hurricane Dorian

Caused about US$3.4B in damages, which is equal to one quarter of the gross domestic product of the Bahamas.

The main airport in Grand Bahama was destroyed. Roads were littered with debris and fallen trees, and fuel supplies were limited

Hurricane Dorian affected about 2,500 small-and-medium-sized businesses in the Bhamas. All businesses on the hardest-hit east side of the island were forced to closeS

Social Impacts of Hurricane Dorian

The death toll stands at 74 people, although 245 were still missing a year later.

Some 29,500 were left homeless and/or jobless

The added crisis of Covid-19 and another hurricane season in 2020 severely hindered recovery efforts

Short-term aid

Emergency shelter provided for those who lost their homes

Food and medical supplies provided to thousands of families across the affected countries

Water purifiers to ensure clean water

Long-term aid

Seed distribution to grow crops and agricultural support for farmers who lost their livelihoods

Rebuilding of roads and buildings such as hospitals and schools

Provision of counselling to help people cope with their losses

Preparing for a hurricane

Have a bag of supplies ready to go

Find out evacuation orders in your area

Plan for pets

Always follow the evacuation orders given

Find out if you live in an evacuated area

Emergency kit

Bag of needed supplies:

First aid kits

Medecine

protected doucments

cash

gas

portable charger and electronics

and food