'the Impact of a Tropical Storm Depends on Location' How Far Do You Agree with This Statement?
“The Impact of a Tropical Storm depends on location” How far do you agree?
Tropical storms formed 5-30 degrees north of the equator, so if there is a largely populated area or economic centre around this latitude, in an area vulnerable to hurricanes, the impact will be increased in comparison to the tropical storm running its course over unpopulated islands or the ocean. This can be seen when looking at Hurricane Sandy, a tropical storm of 2012 and its impact on Cuba. Cuba was located in the Hurricane’s path and so obviously the Hurricane caused damage. However, because an area of considerable economic value to the country, Cuba’s Santiago de Cuba, was in located in the aforementioned storm path and damaged significantly, for example 132,733 homes were damaged, of which 15,322 were destroyed and 43,426 lost their roof. As well as this, electricity and water supplies were down. The damage done by Hurricane Sandy increased impact further because, being a vital component of Cuba’s economy, a ‘ripple’ effect was created. The damage to Santiago de Cuba came to total losses of $80billion. This is an example as to how the essay title is strong as it illustrates how if a major area is located in a storm path, not only does this create primary impacts but secondary impacts are also multiplied as the storm is destroying something of more importance.
Furthermore location also dictates the level of impact in other ways too. For example, if a well built up coastal area is hit by the tropical storm, impact is magnified in comparison to built up areas further inland being hit by said storm. This is because tropical storms can cause storm surges, a rise in sea level followed by a great wave. This is a problem because coastal areas (which are usually low lying) are then subject to mass flooding with relatively little warning. An example of this can again be found in Hurricane Sandy and its impact on Ortley Beach in New Jersey. Houses were washed away, one house moved a third of
Tropical storms formed 5-30 degrees north of the equator, so if there is a largely populated area or economic centre around this latitude, in an area vulnerable to hurricanes, the impact will be increased in comparison to the tropical storm running its course over unpopulated islands or the ocean. This can be seen when looking at Hurricane Sandy, a tropical storm of 2012 and its impact on Cuba. Cuba was located in the Hurricane’s path and so obviously the Hurricane caused damage. However, because an area of considerable economic value to the country, Cuba’s Santiago de Cuba, was in located in the aforementioned storm path and damaged significantly, for example 132,733 homes were damaged, of which 15,322 were destroyed and 43,426 lost their roof. As well as this, electricity and water supplies were down. The damage done by Hurricane Sandy increased impact further because, being a vital component of Cuba’s economy, a ‘ripple’ effect was created. The damage to Santiago de Cuba came to total losses of $80billion. This is an example as to how the essay title is strong as it illustrates how if a major area is located in a storm path, not only does this create primary impacts but secondary impacts are also multiplied as the storm is destroying something of more importance.
Furthermore location also dictates the level of impact in other ways too. For example, if a well built up coastal area is hit by the tropical storm, impact is magnified in comparison to built up areas further inland being hit by said storm. This is because tropical storms can cause storm surges, a rise in sea level followed by a great wave. This is a problem because coastal areas (which are usually low lying) are then subject to mass flooding with relatively little warning. An example of this can again be found in Hurricane Sandy and its impact on Ortley Beach in New Jersey. Houses were washed away, one house moved a third of