Tropical Storms Cars Study: Hurricane Mitch, 1998

National 5 Geography Global Issues- Environmental Hazards- Case StudyTropical Storm: Hurricane Mitch, 1998 Cause A tropical storm can only form when each of the following conditions are met: 1. Warm seas with a surface temperature of 27 degrees Celsius or greater 2. Water of a depth of at least 60 metres 3. Low air pressure, with air beginning to rise 4. Damp, moist airWhen each of the above conditions are met, warm moist air rises rapidly, cools and condenses, forming very deep cumulonimbus clouds with heavy rainfall. Low pressure develops and air is sucked into the depression causing high winds of at least 60km/h. The rotation of the Earth encourages violent winds to rotate around the central eye of the tropical storm. ImpactPeople19,325 people died (mostly as the result of severe flooding and mudslides)2.7 million people were left homeless33,000 houses were destroyed, and a further 50,000 were damages in Honduras alonePeople had a lack of basic supplies such as food, water and shelterElectricity was lostContaminated flood water led to an increase in the number of cases of water borne diseases, such as malaria and cholera2328 people caught cholera, of whom, 34 people diedFarm land was destroyed, so jobs in agriculture were lostNational debt increased due to the costs of making repairsEconomic development was badly affectedLandscapeCoastal buildings in Honduras were destroyedWind of up to 180mph flattened treesHeavy rainfall caused widespread floodingRain caused soil to wash into rivers, blocking them and causing them to overflowFlooding resulted in mudslides, which wiped out several villagesBridges and roads were destroyed70% of Honduras' crops were destroyed by flooding50,000 cattle were killedThe landscape was altered so much that maps at the time were rendered useless Management PredictionSatellite images from space were used to observe the hurricane and predict its pathThis allowed predictions to be made for what route it may take in the next 3-5 daysHeavy rainfall and flooding, with the potential of mudslides, were also predictedBefore the hurricane reached land, the predictions were not very accurate as it changed direction, but once it made landfall, the predictions became more accuratePlanningWarnings were given to all countries in Central America, so may people fled inland, causing traffic jams and fuel shortagesThe government of Honduras evacuated 45,000 people from the Bay IslandsThe Honduran government prepared al of their air and naval resources for actionRed alerts told people to seek shelter and be preparedPeople were advised to keep boats in their portsFlood warnings were put in place and sandbags were distributed in an attempt to reduce the impact of floodingAfter Hurricane Mitch made landfall, thousands of residents were evacuated from the Caribbean coastlinePeople living along the coast and on offshore islands were airlifted to safety by the Honduran Air ForceShort Term AidGovernment troops helped to rescue people who were stranded by floods or trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildingsThe Red Cross provided water purification kits to combat diseaseTroops, helicopters and bulldozers were sent by the USA and MexicoHelicopters lifted people to safety and dropped supplies in remote areasMedical supplies, blankets food and clothing were also providedLong Term AidThe UN provided seeds, tools and fertilisers to rural areas who had lost farmlandNew schools, hospitals, roads and homes were built with funds provided by aid agenciesCountries from around the world donated a total of $6.3 billion USDThe US administration donated $70 million