Reducing Effects of Tropical Storms:
Monitoring:
● Monitoring tropical storms allows predictions to be made → saves lives and reduces damage
○ Satellites
■ Satellites can monitor cloud patterns
■ 1997 → discovered that appearance of rain clouds reaching 16 km in altitude indicates that a
tropical storm will intensify in 24 hours
■ 2004 → Global Precipitation Measurement Satellite was launched
● Monitors precipitation every 3 hours → identifies high-altitude rain clouds
○ Aircrafts
■ Specially equipped aircrafts frequently fly through tropical storms to collect data
● Air pressure
● Rainfall
● Wind speed
■ Aircrafts release sensors (dropsondes) which send measurements back to the aircraft
■ US NASA monitors weather patterns across the Atlantic using unnamed aircraft (Global Hawk
Drones)
● On-board radar/microwaves allow scientists to further understand the formation of
tropical storms → can improve forecasting models
Predicting:
● Weather data is fed into supercomputers which run models to predict the path and intensity of tropical storms
○ 2013 → National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) developed 2 new supercomputers
■ Supercomputers can give 5 days’ warning and more accurate location
○ National Hurricane Centre in Florida predicts tropical storm’s path and intensity using a “track cone”
■ Cone shape allows for unpredictable behaviour of the storm when it hits land
● 70% of tropical storms occur within the predicted cone → reliable
■ Hurricane centres issue early warnings → gives people time to prepare/evacuate
● Some people don’t bother → evacuation is too expensive (storm may not hit predicted
area)
○ Modern technology allows for easier visual prediction of where the tropical storm will hit
■ 2013 → Cyclone Phailin in India was successfully predicted
● 1.2 million were evacuated
● Only 44 people died
■ 1999 → a similar cyclone hit India
● 10, 000+ lives were lost
Protecting:
● Buildings can be reinforced → reduce damage caused by forceful winds = mitigation
● Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advises people to:
○ Install hurricane straps between roof and walls
○ Install storm shutters on windows
○ Install emergency generator
○ Tie down furniture
○ Reinforce garage doors
○ Remove trees close to buildings
● Salt marshes/wetland/mangroves help protect against storm surges
○ They reduce wind and waves’ energy → reduce their impact on land
● Ensuring that low-lying areas are not built on → prevents flooding
● Investing in coastal flood defences (eg/ floodwalls) reduce the impact of storm surges
Planning:
● America has a National Hurricane Preparedness Week in May
○ Encourages people to plan what they have to do in the event of a tropical storm
● Advice included:
○ Preparing disaster supply kits
○ Having fuel in vehicles
○ Knowing locations of evacuation centres
○ Storing loose objects/important documents
○ Planning with family what to do
○ Get flood insurance