Preparation for Tropical Cyclones
- Level of preparation depends on accurate forecasting and then communications but also level of development
- Developed countries are able to spend money on preparation and high-tech systems of prediction and notification
- Developing countries may find it difficult to buy satellites and monitoring systems or communicate the information to people likely to be affected
- The 4 P's are used to manage tropical cyclones: prediction, preparation, protection and planning (for the future)
- These aim to:
- Save lives
- Protect personal property and infrastructure
Aim | Method | Outcome |
Predict: to give warnings so that actions can be taken to reduce the impact of a tropical cyclone |
Data from satellites and radar tracks the movement of storms, computer models then predict the path the storm will take |
Allows time for evacuation which will reduce the number of deaths and injuries. It also means people can protect their homes and businesses from strong winds and flooding |
Protect: things that are built to protect people from the hazard |
Design buildings with secure roofs which use reinforced concrete Raise buildings on stilts Build levees (along rivers) or sea walls along the coast |
Buildings are less likely to be destroyed, so less people will die from collapsing buildings and falling debris Buildings will not be flooded This reduces the risk of flooding from overflowing rivers, or from storm surges |
Prepare: having things in place before the event to better cope with the event | Teach people how to prepare properly, what to put in a survival kit (e.g. first aid kit, bottled water) and how to evacuate safely | People who know how to react are more likely to survive, as they will evacuate safely Survival kits can help those who are trapped to survive whilst waiting for help |
Plan for the future: evaluate past events to find new solutions or identify improvements |
Build new homes and businesses away from areas at risk, such as the coast |
Areas of poverty leads to poor construction of housing which is more easily damaged: regardless of level of development |
Worked example
Suggest one way that the government of a developing country could help its people cope with a tropical cyclone.
( 2 marks)
Answer:
- Only ONE method is needed for an answer
- Predict – monitor and track the storm so warnings can be given, (1) this gives people time to evacuate the areas that are most at risk. (1)
- Protection – build storm shelters so people have somewhere safe to go. (1) These would be raised of the ground and have strong windows and doors. (1)
- Build a sea wall (1) to protect against storm surges. (1)
- Build houses on silts, so homes are protected from the storm surge. (1)
- Planning – educate the people about tropical storms (1) so they know what to do if a storm hits. (1)
- Answer must relate to a developing country