Management of Tropical Storms (AQA GCSE Geography)

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

Monitoring - forecasting / prediction

• 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

• 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

Saffir-Simpson 5-Point Scale of Wind Strength

• 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

• 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 

• 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