HURRICANES

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS

What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a tropical storm with winds
which have reached a constant speed of
119km/hr. Hurricane winds blow in a large
spiral around a relatively calm centre
known as the eye.
As a hurricane nears land, it can bring
torrential rains, high winds and storm
surges. The storm surges along with heavy
rains can lead to flooding.
Landslides are also associated with the
heavy rains from a hurricane.

How is a hurricane formed?

A TROPICAL DISTURBANCE is the first stage of development of a hurricane.

It consists of a mass of thunderstorms that have only a slight wind
circulation.

A TROPICAL DEPRESSION forms when a group of thunderstorms comes

together under the right atmospheric conditions for a certain length of
time. Winds near the center of the tropical depression are constantly
between 20 and 34 knots (23 - 39 mph). Lowered pressure is indicated with
at least one closed isobar on a surface pressure chart. Also, the organized
circulation of wind in the center of the thunderstorms is detected.

A TROPICAL STORM forms when the maximum sustained winds have

intensified to between 35-64 knots (39-73 mph). It becomes better
organized and begins to look like a hurricane with a circular shape. At this
point, the storm is given a name. Most of the problems from tropical
storms come from heavy rainfall.

A HURRICANE finally forms when surface pressures continue to drop and

when sustained wind speeds reach 64 knots (74 mph). There is also a
definite rotation about the eye.

Diagrammatic Representation
for the Formation of a Hurricane

Effects of any Natural Disaster

Outcomes of A Hurricane

Given the potential havoc and destruction caused

by hurricanes, there are certain damages that will
definitely accompany a hurricane such as:
Rainfall Induced Flooding
Storm Surge
Winds
Tornadoes
Landslides
Each of these effects will have an impact on the
physical environment resulting in social and
economic consequences of varying degrees.

Rainfall Induced Flooding

This is where the flooding originates from
the torrential rainfall. Torrential rainfall is
synonymous to heavy rains.
Floods have tremendous socio-economic
impact.

Economic

o
o

Its main effect is to retard development. A flood

stricken area must first be restored to normal
before any development can take place.
Restoration takes time.
The damage done is incalculable
In addition to the directly determinable losses
may be added to the indirect potential losses.
This results from lack of productivity in many
areas i.e business, commerce, trade etc.
All these losses can wipe out whatever gains that
may have been achieved in economic
development.

Social

The social trauma inflicted on the people usually

has a short term inhibiting effect on the
communitys drive. Hence a little time can elapse
before there is any concerted move before
normalisation can take place
Flooding usually has an adverse effect on health
because it brings about infectious diseases
example military fever, pneumonic plague, break
bone fever and common cold. Also for areas
which have no electric supply due to flooding,
food poisoning may occur as food may not be
properly preserved.

Storm Surge

Two factors that cause a storm surge are:

Strong winds that push the water toward the coast
Suction created by the storms low pressure
Storm surges pose the greatest danger to life and property as these
surges can reach height of 20 feet and travel several miles inland.
Salt water intrusion endangers public health and the
environment.
SOCIAL:
Loss of life due to drowning
ECONOMIC:
Buildings destroyed.
Road and bridge damage along the coast.
This can cost millions of dollars to repair, thereby increasing the
deficit in the countrys budget, resulting in economic downfall,
especially if sufficient budget preparations were not made for the
unforeseen natural disaster.

Winds
Winds are responsible for most of the structural damage done during
hurricanes.
Category 1
Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds

Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Wellconstructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles,
vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and
shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to
power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that
could last a few to several days.
Category 2
Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds

Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage:

Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and
siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or
uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is
expected with outages that could last from several days to
weeks.

Winds
Category 3
Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds
Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or
removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking
numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the
storm passes.
Category 4
Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds
Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage
with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped
or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential
areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be
uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Category 5
Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds
Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed,
with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential
areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be
uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Landslides
The sliding down of mass of earth or rock. This usually
fabricates by heavy rainfall.
SOCIAL:
Death
ECONOMIC:
Property damage
Adverse effects on resources. Example: water supplies,
fisheries and sewage disposals.
Economic effects of landslides also include the cost to
repair structures, loss of property value, disruption of
transportation routes, medical costs in the event of injury,
and indirect costs such as lost timber and lost fish stocks.
Water availability, quantity and quality can be affected by
landslides.

Tornadoes

This is probably the least thought of

effect of a hurricane, but they do occur.
Tornadoes occur in a hurricane as a
result of the tremendous energy and
instability created when a hurricane
makes landfall. Most tornadoes that
occur in hurricanes are only minimal in
strength

Examples of Hurricanes that

had Great Economic Impact
HURRICANE FLORA
Trinidad and Tobago
Deaths:24
Damage(USD)$30million
Grenada
Deaths: 6
Damage(USD): $25,000
Dominican Republic
Deaths: 400+
Damage(USD):$60million
Haiti
Deaths: 5,000
Damage(USD): $180million
Cuba
Deaths: 1,750
Damage(USD): $500million
Jamaica
Deaths: 11
Damage(USD): $11.9million
Bahamas
Deaths: 1
Damage(USD): $1.5million
Total Deaths: 7,193
Total Damage(USD): $773.4million

Examples of Hurricanes that

had Great Economic Impact
HURRICANE TOMAS
Barbados
Deaths: 0
Damage(USD): $8.5million
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Deaths: 0
Damage(USD): $28.8million
Saint Lucia
Deaths: 14
Damage(USD):$588million
Martinique
Deaths: 0
Damage(USD)unknown

Trinidad and Tobago

Deaths: 0
Damage(USD): $0.63million
Curaao
Deaths: 2
Damage(USD):$115million
Cuba
Deaths: 34
Damage(USD): unknown
Haiti
Deaths: 21
Damage(USD): unknown
Total Deaths: 71

Total Damage(USD):~$741million

Conclusions
In conclusion, hurricanes have a negative impact
on both the human and physical environment.
They are natural disasters, which cannot be
prevented or stopped from occurring. Due to
technological advancements made in the last
few decades though, hurricane formation can be
spotted very early and their progress tracked and
predicted. Hurricane warnings are then issued to
places possibly and definitely in danger.

Nonetheless, you can never guarantee your safety

in the engine of destruction, the hurricane.

References

http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/en/pdf/Hurricane_fact-sheet.pdf

http://geo-mexico.com/?tag=hurricanes

http://www.hurricaneville.com/effects.html

http://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/louviere/hurricanes/effects.html

http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=149634

http://
www.empr.gov.bc.ca/MINING/GEOSCIENCE/SURFICIALGEOLOGYANDHAZARDS/
LANDSLIDES/Pages/Howdolandslidesaffectus.aspx
Et al