IMPACT OF GEOGRAPHICAL PHENOMENA

HURRICANE
 HURRICANES

• WHAT ARE THEY?

• According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOOA) hurricanes can be defined
as low pressure systems with organized thunderstorm activity that form over or sub-tropical waters .

They gain their energy from warm ocean waters. They are considered to be one of nature’s most

powerful storm. They produce strong winds, storm surge floodings, and heavy rainfall that can lead to

inland flooding, tornadoes and rip currents..

 HOW ARE THEY FORMED?

• Hurricanes are powerhouse weather events that sucks heat from tropical waters to fuel their fury. These violent storms
form over the ocean often beginning as tropical wave- a low pressure area that moves through the moisture rich-tropics,

possibly enhancing shower and thunderstorm activity. As this weather system moves westwards across the tropics warm

ocean air rises into the storm forming an area of low pressure underneath. This causes more air to rush in. The air then

rises and cools forming clouds and thunderstorms . Up in the clouds water condenses and form droplets releasing even

more heat to power the storm. When wind speeds within such a storm reach 74 mph it is classified as a hurricane or

tropical cyclone.
 LET’S BUILD OUR VOCABULARY

• During this season, there ant many key terminologies used by meteorologist, to relay information to
persons to ensure safety. Some of which are listed as follows:
• Hurricane watch- Information issued to the public to let them know that there is a possibility of
hurricane conditions within the next 48 hours.
• Hurricane Warning- An official announcement made by the authorities to persons that there is an
impending hurricane. This means that the hurricane is very likely to happen and is a threat to life and
property.
• Tropical Storm- A tropical cyclone that has one-minute sustained winds between 39 mph and 73
mph. Tropical storm have persistent organized thunderstorm that orbits around a well-defined centre.
LET’S BUILD OUR VOCABULARY CON’TD

• Major Hurricane – A hurricane rated at category 3 strength or greater on the Saffir

Simpson hurricane scale with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.
• Tropical Depression- A tropical wave that has begun to organize and has a closed
circulation. Winds in a tropical depression are less than 39 mph
• Eye- A small zone relatively calm, usually less than 50 miles wide that forms at the
centre of mature tropical cyclones in response to sinking air.
• Flood Watch- Watches issued for flooding that is expected to happen at least 6 hours
after heavy rainfall.
 CONSEQUENCES OF HURRICANE IN THE
CARIBBEAN

• Hurricanes are powerful weather systems which starts as disturbances in the atmosphere over tropical oceans.
There are many disturbances each year but only a few become hurricane. Most Atlantic and Caribbean hurricane
occur between July and November and have been known to have serious economic and social consequences.
Social- Some social consequences consist of disruption of communities, death, ill health, homelessness and trauma.
One major social consequence of hurricanes is loss of lives. During the passage of hurricane Jeanne in Haiti 2004,
approximately 325 mm of rain fell which led to extensive flooding which drowned an estimate of 3000 people
while in Grenada Hurricane Ivan killed about 39 people the same year. The disruption of communities has always
been a social effect of hurricanes. It forces people to evacuate their homes and go to an emergency shelter. Trauma
is another effect of hurricanes. The power of the storm itself, lost homes and possessions and a devastated country
is an emotional shock. Time would we needed to recover emotionally and in some cases counselling for victims.
CONSEQUENCES OF HURRICANE IN THE CARIBBEAN
CON’TD

• Economic –Hurricanes almost always cause some type of economic damage. One
effect which occurs is the loss of foreign exchange and government revenue. In most
Caribbean countries tourism is the main industry and therefore brings in a
considerable amount of foreign exchange. If hotel are destroyed there would be no
where for tourist to stay when visiting. Hurricanes can also cause beach degradation
which will lower the quality of the location as tourist destination. Another economic
consequence of hurricanes is loss of jobs. The destruction of major business places
during a hurricane such as hotel, factories, farm may leave many people of a job.
 MAJOR HURRICANES IN THE CARIBBEAN

• Hurricane Maria (3,059 deaths)- Between September 16 and October 2, 2017 hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and the
lesser Antilles while they were still recovering from hurricane Irma that had it weeks ago.
• Hurricane Jeanne (3,037 deaths)- Between September 13-28, 2004 hurricane Jeanne hit Puerto Rico after forming as a
tropical depression over Guadeloupe and St.Croix. Windspeed 120 mph ravaged affected areas leaving $7.94B in
damages in its wake.
• Hurricane David- (2,068 deaths)- This was one of the most devasting hurricanes to hit the Caribbean. Between
August 25 and September 8, 1979 hurricane David headed for the Caribbean sea with its most ravaging impact felt on
the island of Dominica on August 29. Windspeed (175 mph) $ 1.54B in damages.
• Hurricane Gordon (1,152 deaths)- Tropical storm Gordon made its presence felt across Jamaica, Cuba, Turks and
Caicos and the Bahamas. Windspeed 85 mph. Despite only escalating to a category 1 hurricane it ultimately left
$594.1M in damages
 RESPONSE TO HURRICANES

• The hurricane season begin June 1 and ends November 30. People living within the
Caribbean tend to prepare themselves in case a hurricane develops. These preparations
are done through given instructions from the authorities, where they follow suit.
• Households tend to have emergency items such as water, raincoat, flashlights and
batteries, battery powered radios, fire lit lamps and hurricane shutters, plastic bag, nails,
hammer and other handy tools.
• 4-5 days supply of food that does not need cooking or refrigeration
• Material for battening up windows and door
 RESPONSE TO HURRICANES CON’TD

• Evacuate home to family, friends or a shelter if home is in a high risk area subject to
storm surge
• Trim trees with branches near to buildings or electrical line.
• Know hurricane Terminologies
• Have emergency medical supply
• Stock away important documents and personal items