Factors Affecting the Development of a Hurricane

Warm ocean water. Winds flow outward above storm allowing air below to rise. Winds coming together forces air upwards. Humid air rising makes clouds of storm. Light winds outside hurricane steer it let it grow.

Hurricanes may lose their strength when :

- Land fall - Strong winds aloft - Colder sea surfaces

Related Hazards
Storm surge Intensified wave activity, waves generated become bigger in height High winds Destruction of agricultural crops Coastal / River flooding : due to storm surge, affects low-lying areas Landslides : soil becomes saturated and causes it to move downhill

Consequences
1) Social / Cultural : a) Hurricane activities b) High death toll c) Emotional trauma d) Displacement of settlements e) Hurricane diseases due to floods: water-borne diseases f) Disruption of communication networks g) Break down of tourism

2) Economic: a) Trade imbalances b) Destruction of economic base c) High re-construction cost d) Closing down of businesses e) Looting f) Interruption of Hurricane activity: due to hurricane activity g) Closing of ports: leads to shortage of goods 3) Environmental / Physical: a) Damage to property b) Saline intrusion: contamination of water stores by salt H20 c) Infrastructural damage: reef damage and coastal erosion d) Tourism interruption e) Loss of food supply

Prediction and Warning

Monitor development of hurricanes

1) 2) 3) 4) Tracking Use data from Geostationary satellite supplied by Reconaissance aircraft Forecasts based on modelling Warnings should be immediate and accurate

Strategies
1) Community awareness - Education awareness of what to do before and after a hurricane; such as watching what you drink after a hurricane 2) Community Preparedness - Dissemination of information - Well equipped shelters - Training locals in administering first-aid - Evacuation procedures well prepared in advance 3) Land planning - relocation and upgrading 4) Land use planning - Hazard maps restricting zones - Building codes that are stricter 5) Flood reduction Methods - Strengthen river embankments - Sea wall / mangroves: dissipates energy of water and restricts how far inland water goes.

Hurricane Ivan Grenada

- September 7th 2004 - Category 5

39 deaths Tourism industry collapsed Loss of tourism destination: no docking Destruction of crops Limited food and water supply Blackouts Homes destroyed beyond recognition Port facilities destroyed Roads blocked Airport closed Landslides Flooding Destruction of social institutions; churches, schools Separation Loss of life

Hurricane Thomas
Saturday 30th of October, 2010 Sunday: shutdown of radio services 595 mm rain exceeded this amount 24 hour down pour of rain Contamination of water supplies