What are the effects and responses to tropical storms?

AQA GCSE Geography > The Challenge of Natural Hazards > What are the effects and responses to tropical storms?

What are the primary and secondary effects and immediate and long-term responses to tropical storms?

Tropical storms can cause severe damage to both people and the environment. Their effects can be primary (direct impacts during the storm) or secondary (indirect impacts that happen afterwards). The responses to tropical storms can be immediate, focusing on saving lives and reducing harm, or long-term, aimed at recovery and future preparedness.

Primary Effects of Tropical Storms

Primary effects are the direct, immediate impacts of strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges. These include:

People killed or injured by flying debris or collapsing buildings
Drowning caused by storm surges and flash flooding
Buildings and homes damaged or completely destroyed
Power supplies cut off due to damage to electricity lines
Flooding causing sewage systems to overflow, increasing health risks
Water supplies contaminated by floodwater

Secondary Effects of Tropical Storms

Secondary effects are the indirect impacts that follow the storm. These can last for weeks, months, or even longer:

People left homeless, requiring emergency accommodation
Outbreaks of waterborne diseases (e.g. cholera) due to a lack of clean water and sanitation
Roads and railways blocked by debris, slowing rescue efforts and deliveries of aid
Businesses forced to close, leading to job losses and reduced income
Crops destroyed and livestock killed, leading to food shortages and rising prices

Immediate Responses to Tropical Storms

Immediate responses happen before, during, and just after the storm. They aim to save lives and provide emergency support:

Evacuation of people from areas at risk
Rescue operations for people trapped or injured
Provision of emergency food, clean water, and medical supplies
Setting up of temporary shelters for those made homeless
Recovery of bodies to prevent the spread of disease
Use of satellite images and digital maps to coordinate responses
Aid and support from governments and NGOs (e.g. Oxfam, Red Cross)

Long-term Responses to Tropical Storms

Long-term responses focus on rebuilding and improving resilience to reduce future risk:

Repairing and rebuilding homes, schools, and hospitals
Rehousing people whose homes were destroyed
Restoring roads, bridges, and other infrastructure
Improving forecasting and early warning systems
Providing grants or financial support for rebuilding
Updating building codes to make structures more storm-resistant
Supporting economic recovery through business loans or tax breaks

Summary

Primary Effects
These are the immediate impacts of the storm, such as strong winds destroying buildings, flooding, injuries, and power cuts.
Secondary Effects
These occur after the storm and include homelessness, the spread of disease, blocked transport routes, and food shortages.
Immediate Responses
These are actions taken just before or after the storm, including evacuations, rescues, emergency shelters, and aid distribution.
Long-term Responses
Responses over time focus on recovery, including rebuilding homes, repairing roads, enhancing warnings, and updating building codes.
Water and Sanitation
Flooding frequently damages water supplies and sewage systems, resulting in contamination and heightened health risks.
Aid and Support
Governments and NGOs play a vital role by providing emergency supplies, updating maps with satellite images, and funding reconstruction efforts.