Indice
1.
Introduction
2. Effects or damages provoked by
hurricanes
3. Hurricane
Preparedness
4. Bibliography
Satellite image of Hurricane Michelle
Data Elements:
Located 24.8N 77.2W on course SS moving at a speed of 16
knots.
Observation device:
DMSP F-142.7 km visible imagery
Visualization date:
November 5, 2001 12:32:12
Areas affected by the storm
- Coastal areas of Central America
- Jamaica
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Cuba
- United States
Why do hurricanes such as Michelle occur normally in
tropical areas over oceans?
The term ¨hurricane¨ is regionally specific name for a
strong ¨tropical cyclone¨ A tropical cyclone is the
generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low pressure system
over tropical or sub tropical waters, with organized convection
and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation.
How do weather forecasts help to reduce the damage caused by
hurricanes?
Weather forecasts can help to reduce the damage caused by
hurricanes, because they can prevent with anteriority the storm.
So, the country or region can be more prepared to the storm.
Hurricanes are the most traceable storms on earth, but their
twits and turns continue to challenge even the most expert
forecasters. Season after season much research is devoted to
figuring out how better predict the fate of a hurricane before it
unfolds, offering the opportunity to protect life and
property.
2. Effects or damages
provoked by hurricanes
Michelle killed eight people, left at least 26 missing
and forced some 115,000 people from their homes in Jamaica,
Nicaragua and Honduras. Emergency crews in Honduras will
continued trying to reach hundreds of people stranded in villages
that were cut off by the floods. There are reports of residents
who have been trapped on rooftops or on small areas of high
ground for
several days.
In Nicaragua, the government declared a state of high alert and
activated regional emergency committees, distribution centers and
shelters. Emergency teams are distributing relief supplies to the
several thousand people affected.
The Honduran Red Cross is working with
government emergency response teams to evacuate families,
distribute food, and provide plastic sheeting, blankets, hygiene
items and water containers. The American Red Cross in Honduras is
assisting local Red Cross workers in responding to the disaster.
Red Cross damage assessment teams are traveling to affected
villages to determine needs.
The storm damage has worsened conditions for farmers in Honduras,
who were already suffering the effects of a prolonged
drought.
If we were presidents of Cuba, or any
Latin-American country, mainly we should inform citizens about
the hurricane, and prepare a set of instructions, for people to
follow.
With the proper amount of awareness, a hurricane need not create
the fear some people associate with the storm. Preparation before
hurricane season and before storm arrival is the key to seeing a
hurricane through safely. Remember, a hurricane consists of two
factors, wind and water. Both of these hazardous conditions can
be reduced by being prepared.
- Restock your emergency supplies, such as batteries,
flashlights, and nonperishable foods. Make sure you have a
portable battery operated radio in good
working condition.–
Check soundness of roof.
–
Clean gutters and downspouts.
–
Remove dead branches from trees and trim
shrubs.If your home is well constructed and local
authorities have not called for evacuation, stay home and
make emergency preparations. - Make sure your home is in good condition by making
needed repairs as soon as possible. - Review your property insurance coverage.
- If you have no transportation, make arrangements with
a relative, close friend, or neighbor to pick up your family in
case you need to evacuate. - Make arrangements for the safety of your pet and your
boat or other recreational vehicle. - Have gasoline in your car.
- Have an adequate supply of drinking water on
hand. - Refill prescription medications.
- Secure loose objects in your yard.
If evacuation announcements tell you to leave your home,
due to a hurricane or tornado warning, go to the closest shelter
or evacuation route. If is important to stay informed about
the shelters and evacuation routes in your vicinity.
If staying in a home…
-Turn your refrigerator to maximum cold and open only when
necessary.
-Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities.
-Turn off propane tanks.
-Unplug small appliances.
– Fill bathtub and large containers with water for sanitary
purposes.
Stay away from windows and
doors even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small
interior room, closet, or hallway. Close all interior
doors. Secure and brace external doors. If you are in
a two-story house, go to an interior first-floor room, such as a
bathroom or closet. If you are in a multiple-story building
and away from the water, go to the first or second floors and
take refuge in the halls or other interior rooms away from
windows. Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy
object.
The citizens that live in houses that are not safe, would be take
to secure shelters, provided by the government.
Short terms plans
After the hurricane pass, many houses and buildings are destroyed
or damaged. Unfortunately, people belongings can be lost, mainly
their precarious houses. So it is primal to repair them, so they
can return to them. The government has to ensure that water,
energy, food… is supplied to every house. The health
services has to attend every affected.
Long term plans
After the basic needs are overcome, we have to look forward to
reparations of buildings, so the areas affected can be
reactivated.
But the capital to
invest is really low, because the government has no founds, so it
is essential to ask for help, to neighbor countries, or to
developed nations, which can provide facilities, such as raw
materials, food…
Who might help us?
The United Nations, logically can provides us help. One
of it’s objective is to help countries which has suffered
from Natural Hazards.
Developed countries, can contribute with founds, raw materials,
or technology. So that in further situations, we can prevent our
community earlier about the storm.
There are organizations such as the Red Cross, ACNUR (Alto
Comisionado de Naciones Unidas
para Refugiados) that are specifically biased for helping
refugees.
Secondary Sources:
- National Geographic, November 1999
- www.hurricane.accuweather.com
- www.hurricane.weathercenter.com
- www.nnvl.noaa.gov
- www.worldhurricanes.com
Autor:
Juji Martinez Novello