Tropical Storms

While watching the images, identify the primary and secondary effects of tropical storms

Tropical Storms

• Definition:– Tropical storms are intensive, low pressure

weather systems known in different parts of the world as hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons

Describe the distribution of tropical storms (4)

Origins

• Form over oceans between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

• Over warm ocean waters

Tropical Storms

• Forms over ocean with temperatures of at least 27°C

• Water at least 60 m deep

• Form in hottest times of the year (May-Nov in northern hemisphere, Nov - Apr in southern hemisphere)

• Low pressure (air pressure low)

What are the natural processes that allow tropical storms to

form?• BBC Link

• Create a 5 stage flowchart during the explanation to explain how tropical storms form.

Affected by disasters

Killed by disasters

What is the difference – why are the patterns different between the two maps?

MEDC case study: Hurricane Katrina• Hurricane Katrina

• 29th August 2005

• USA (formed in Bahamas first, made landfall as Category 3 hurricane in USA)

• Worst affected = Florida, Louisiana (especially New Orleans)

• 175mph winds

• 80% of city evacuated

• Breached levees (flood defences) with its storm surge

• 1200 drowned

• 600 died from disease

• 1million homeless

• $90.9billion damages (costliest disaster in US history)

Google timeline

Jamie’s American Road Trip

Impacts of Hurricane Katrina on People and the Environment.

LEDC case study: Cyclone Nargis• Worst natural disaster in Burma• It began as an intense tropical depression on April 27th 2008 in the Bay of

Bengal.• Meteorologists initially thought that the storm would track over Bangladesh• However, the storm changed direction and headed towards Burma, where it

made land over the Irrawaddy delta in the south of the country on May 2nd.• Category 3/4 storm on the Simpson–Saffir scale• 215 km/hr winds• In some places 600mm of rain fell• 146000 people were killed, or reported missing• $10 million damage occurred• 75% of hospitals and clinics were badly destroyed or damaged• Diarrhoea, dysentery and skin infections afflicted the survivors who were

crammed into monasteries, schools and other buildings after arriving in towns already under pressure before the cyclone.

Case Study Mind Map

• Create a mind map that compares Hurricane Katrina and Cyclone Nargis.

• Focus upon:– Location– Primary effects– Secondary effects– Impacts of people– Responses

OCR Geography p136-143 photocopiesUse for comparison of case studies

OCR Geography p136-143 photocopiesUse for comparison of case studies

Task• Individually produce a leaflet about hurricane

Katrina• Pages 124 of Geog.GCSE• Headings:

– Impact on people– Impact on the economy (anything to do with jobs or

money)– Impact on the environment– What was done to lessen the impact of Hurricane

Katrina?– Why do people continue to live in areas at risk from

tropical storms?– PRINT OFF AND STICK IN BOOK

• If finished use BBC Bitesize Weather and Climate tests

How to prepare for a hurricane

• Create a leaflet aimed at Florida residents.• The aim of the leaflet is to advise local residents how they

should prepare for a hurricane• Must also be understood by non-English speakers (Florida

has a high Hispanic population) So think about images.• Think about:

– Outline the possible effects of hurricanes:• Storm surge• Wind speed

– Evacuation plans – what to pack– Emergency supplies at home– Protecting homes and businesses from damage and flooding– Protecting against looting– Search for ‘prepare for hurricanes’