NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Effects of tropical cyclones

The effects of tropical cyclones are the impacts that tropical cyclones have on the areas they move to. The main destructive impacts include heavy rain, strong wind, large storm surges at landfall, and tornadoes. After the cyclone has passed, devastation continues. Standing water can cause the spread of disease, and transportation or communications infrastructure may have been destroyed, hampering clean-up and rescue efforts. How devastating a tropical cyclone is depends mainly on its intensity, how big it is, and where it impacts. However, despite their devastating effects, tropical cyclones are also beneficial, by potentially bringing rain to dry areas and moving heat from the tropics poleward. Traditionally, areas of tropical cyclone formation are divided into seven basins. ... These centres are responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, and warnings regarding the specific program they have a part of, agreed by consensus at the World Meteorological Organization as part of the World Weather Watch. ... These five regional warning centers are part of the World Meteorological Organization tropical cyclone programme, and act to observe, name, and forecast tropical cyclones in their respective sections of the world, supplementing the work of the main Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres. ... NASA QuikSCAT image of Typhoon Nesat (2005) showing the near-surface winds generated by the storm 10 meters above the ocean. ... Surface weather map of the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 moving up the west coast of Florida Tropical cyclone obervation has been carried out over the past couple of centuries in various ways: the passage of typhoons, hurricanes, as well as other tropical cyclones have been detected by word of... While flooding is common to tropical cyclones near a landmass, there are a few factors which lead to excessive rainfall from tropical cyclones. ... A map of all tropical cyclone tracks, encompassing the period between the years 1985 and 2005. ... â€œNaturalâ€ redirects here. ... For the geological process, see Weathering or Erosion. ... Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International Space Station on March 26, 2004 Hurricane and Typhoon redirect here. ... This article is about precipitation. ... For other uses, see Wind (disambiguation). ... ... Hurricane Charley making landfall on August 13, 2004 at its peak intensity. ... This article is about the weather phenomenon. ... Water stagnation occurs when water stops flowing. ... NASA QuikSCAT image of Typhoon Nesat (2005) showing the near-surface winds generated by the storm 10 meters above the ocean. ...

Image File history File links Cyclone_Deaths. ... Image File history File links Cyclone_Deaths. ...

Out at sea

A mature tropical cyclone can release heat at a rate upwards of 6x10¹⁴ watts.^[1] Tropical cyclones on the open sea cause large waves, heavy rain, and high winds, disrupting international shipping and, at times, causing shipwrecks.^[2] Generally, after its passage, a tropical cyclone stirs up ocean water, lowering sea surface temperatures behind it.^[3] This cool wake can cause the region to be less favorable for a subsequent tropical cyclone. On rare occasions, tropical cyclones may actually do the opposite. 2005's Hurricane Dennis blew warm water behind it, contributing to the unprecedented intensity of Hurricane Emily, which followed it closely.^[4] Hurricanes help to maintain the global heat balance by moving warm, moist tropical air to the mid-latitudes and polar regions.^[5] Were it not for the movement of heat poleward (through other means as well as hurricanes), the tropical regions would be unbearably hot. For other uses, see Watt (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Shipwreck (disambiguation). ... Annual mean sea surface temperature for the World Ocean. ... The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, shattering previous records on repeated occasions. ... Hurricane Dennis was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. ... Lowest pressure 929 mbar (hPa; 27. ...

North American Colonization

Shipwrecks are common with the passage of strong tropical cyclones. Such shipwrecks can change the course of history, as well as influence art and literature. A hurricane led to a victory of the Spanish over the French for control of Fort Caroline, and ultimately the Atlantic coast of North America, in 1565.^[6] The Sea Venture wrecked near Bermuda in 1609 which led to the colonization of Bermuda^[7] and provided the inspiration for Shakespeare's The Tempest. The coat of arms of Bermuda features a representation of the wreck of the Sea Venture The Sea Venture was a 17th-century English sailing ship, the wrecking of which in Bermuda is widely thought to have been the inspiration for Shakespeares The Tempest. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Shipping

Over the centuries, mariners termed their own phrases for portions of tropical cyclones to help with navigation and self preservation. A tropical cyclone was split into two halves, based on its direction of motion. They avoided the right half of the cyclone and termed it the dangerous semicircle since the heaviest rain and strongest winds and seas were located in this half of the storm. The other half of the tropical cyclone was called the navigable semicircle since weather conditions are less extreme in this half of the storm. The rules of thumb for ship travel when a tropical cyclone is in their vicinity are to avoid them if at all possible and do not cross their forecast path (crossing the T). Those travelling through the dangerous semicircle are advised to keep to the true wind on the starboard bow and make as much headway as possible. Ships moving through the navigable semicircle are advised to keep the true wind on the starboard quarter while making as much headway as possible.^[8] A view of the Starboard side of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ross Starboard is the nautical term that refers to the right side of a vessel as perceived by a person on board the ship and facing the bow (front). ...

Upon landfall

The most significant effects of a tropical cyclone occur when they cross coastlines, making landfall. Hurricane Charley making landfall on August 13, 2004 at its peak intensity. ...

Strong winds

Strong winds can damage or destroy vehicles, buildings, bridges, and other outside objects, turning loose debris into deadly flying projectiles. In the United States, major hurricanes comprise just 21% of all landfalling tropical cyclones, but account for 83% of all damage.^[9] Tropical cyclones often knock out power to tens or hundreds of thousands of people, preventing vital communication and hampering rescue efforts.^[10] Tropical cyclones often destroy key bridges, overpasses, and roads, complicating efforts to transport food, clean water, and medicine to the areas that need it. Furthermore, the damage caused by tropical cyclones to buildings and dwellings can result in economic damage to a region, and to a diaspora of the population of the region.^[11] For other uses, see Wind (disambiguation). ... NASA QuikSCAT image of Typhoon Nesat (2005) showing the near-surface winds generated by the storm 10 meters above the ocean. ... For other uses, see Diaspora (disambiguation). ...

Storm surge

The storm surge, or the increase in sea level due to the cyclone, is typically the worst effect from landfalling tropical cyclones, historically resulting in 90% of tropical cyclone deaths.^[11] The relatively quick surge in sea level can move miles/kilometers inland, flooding homes and cutting off escape routes. The storm surges and winds of hurricanes may be destructive to human-made structures, but they also stir up the waters of coastal estuaries, which are typically important fish breeding locales. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (3008x2000, 2706 KB) Hurricane Katrina damage in Long Beach, Mississippi, which is west of Gulfport and east of Pass Christian. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (3008x2000, 2706 KB) Hurricane Katrina damage in Long Beach, Mississippi, which is west of Gulfport and east of Pass Christian. ... This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 2005. ... Location of Gulfport in the State of Mississippi Coordinates: , Country United States State Mississippi County Harrison Founded Incorporated Government - Mayor Brent Warr Area - City 64. ... ... ...

Heavy rainfall

The thunderstorm activity in a tropical cyclone produces intense rainfall, potentially resulting in flooding, mudslides, and landslides. Inland areas are particularly vulnerable to freshwater flooding, due to residents not preparing adequately.^[12] Heavy inland rainfall eventually flows into coastal estuaries, damaging marine life in coastal estuaries.^[13] The wet environment in the aftermath of a tropical cyclone, combined with the destruction of sanitation facilities and a warm tropical climate, can induce epidemics of disease which claim lives long after the storm passes.^[11] Infections of cuts and bruises can be greatly amplified by wading in sewage-polluted water. Large areas of standing water caused by flooding also contribute to mosquito-borne illnesses. Furthermore, crowded evacuees in shelters increase the risk of disease propagation.^[11] A map of all tropical cyclone tracks, encompassing the period between the years 1985 and 2005. ... A thunderstorm, also called an electrical storm or lightning storm, is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its attendant thunder produced from a cumulonimbus cloud. ... This article is about precipitation. ... A flood (in Old English flod, a word common to Teutonic languages; compare German Flut, Dutch vloed from the same root as is seen in flow, float) is an overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. ... The Lachine Canal, in Montreal, is badly polluted Pollution is the release of harmful environmental contaminants, or the substances so released. ... -1...

Although cyclones take an enormous toll in lives and personal property, they may be important factors in the precipitation regimes of places they impact and bring much-needed precipitation to otherwise dry regions. Hurricanes in the eastern north Pacific often supply moisture to the Southwestern United States and parts of Mexico.^[14] Japan receives over half of its rainfall from typhoons.^[15] Hurricane Camille averted drought conditions and ended water deficits along much of its path,^[16] though it also killed 259 people and caused $9.14 billion (2005 USD) in damage. Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... Lowest pressure 905 mbar (hPa; 26. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

Tornadoes

The broad rotation of a landfalling tropical cyclone often spawns tornadoes. While these tornadoes are normally not as strong as their non-tropical counterparts, heavy damage or loss of life can still occur. Tornadoes can also be spawned as a result of eyewall mesovortices, which persist until landfall.^[17] . ... . ... â€œEye of the stormâ€ redirects here. ...

Deaths

During the last two centuries, tropical cyclones have been responsible for the deaths of about 1.9 million persons worldwide. It is estimated that 10,000 people per year perish due to tropical cyclones.^[19] The deadliest tropical cyclone was the 1970 Bhola cyclone, which had a death toll of anywhere from 300,000 to 500,000 lives. Lowest pressure 966 hPa (mbar) Fatalities 300,000-500,000 (Deadliest tropical cyclone of all time) Damage $86. ...

United States

Before Hurricane Katrina, the average death rate for tropical cyclones in the United States was decreasing. The main cause of storm-related fatalites was shifting away from storm surge and towards freshwater flooding.^[21] However, the median death rate per storm had increased through 1979, with a lull during the 1980-1995 period. This was due to greater numbers of people moving to the coastal margins and into harm's way. Despite advances in warning strategies and reduction in track forecast error, this increase in fatalities is expected to continue for as long as people migrate towards the shore.^[22] This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 2005. ... In probability theory and statistics, a median is a type of average that is described as the number dividing the higher half of a sample, a population, or a probability distribution, from the lower half. ...

Reconstruction and repopulation

While tropical cyclones may well seriously damage settlement, total destruction encourages rebuilding. For example, the destruction wrought by Hurricane Camille on the Gulf coast spurred redevelopment, greatly increasing local property values.^[16] However, disaster response officials point out that redevelopment encourages more people to live in clearly dangerous areas subject to future deadly storms. Hurricane Katrina is the most obvious example, as it devastated the region that had been revitalized after Hurricane Camille. Many former residents and businesses do relocate to inland areas away from the threat of future hurricanes as well. Lowest pressure 905 mbar (hPa; 26. ... This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 2005. ...

In isolated areas with small populations, tropical cyclones may cause enough casualties to contribute to the founder's effect as survivors repopulate their place. For example, around 1775, a typhoon hit Pingelap Atoll, and in combination with a subsequent famine, reduced the island's population to a low level. Several generations after the disaster, as many as 10% of Pingelapese have a genetic form of color-blindness called achromatopsia.^[23] This is due to one of the survivors of the depopulation brought on by the typhoon having a mutated gene, which the population bottleneck caused to be at a higher-than-usual level in succeeding generations.^[23] The founder effect is an evolutionary phenomenon. ... A genetic disorder is a disease caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. ... This article is about color vision deficiencies. ... Achromatopsia is the inability to see color. ... A population bottleneck (or genetic bottleneck) is an evolutionary event in which a significant percentage of a population or species is killed or otherwise prevented from reproducing, and the population is reduced by 50% or more, often by several orders of magnitude. ...

Effects on Natural Resources

Geomorphology

Coastal Ridges

Waves and storm surges accompanying tropical cyclones erode undersea sands, erode shell deposits, break off corals from near shore reefs in thier paths, and carry all this detrius landwards in a rolling wave of material that is deposited onshore, above highest astronomical tide as a ridge of sand, shell and coral. ^[24]. Each severe tropical cyclone (category 4-5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale) that has crossed north-east Australia's tropical coastline since last significant change in sea levels approximately 5000 years ago has 'emplaced' such a ridge within the coastal landscape forming, in some places, series of ridges and a geomorphological record of all highest magnitude cyclones that have hit the coast over the last 3 - 5 000 years ^[25].

Eyewitness accounts verify ridges of this kind are 'emplaced' by severe tropical cyclones and two clear examples cited are ^[26] a) 18 kilometre long, 35 metre wide, 3.5 metre high coral shingle ridge deposited on Funafuti Atoll (Central South Pacific) by tropical cyclone Bebe in October 1971, and b) large coral shingle ridge deposited on Jaluit Atoll (Marshall Islands) by Typhoon Ophelia in January 1958. In tropical north-east Australia an intense tropical cyclone hit in March 1918 (crossing the Town of Innisfail, just as more recent March 2006 intense tropical cyclone Larry crossed Innisfail), for which there are eyewitness accounts 4.5 to 5.1 metre high ridge of pumice being deposited by a surge as the cyclone crossed the coast.

See also

Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International Space Station on March 26, 2004 Hurricane and Typhoon redirect here. ... A map of all tropical cyclone tracks, encompassing the period between the years 1985 and 2005. ...

References

^ National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (August 2000). NOAA Question of the Month: How much energy does a hurricane release?. NOAA. Retrieved on 2006-03-31.
^ David Roth and Hugh Cobb (2001). Eighteenth Century Virginia Hurricanes. NOAA. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
^ Earth Observatory (2005). Passing of Hurricanes Cools Entire Gulf. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved on 2006-04-26.
^ Franklin, James (July 12, 2005). Tropical Storm Emily Discussion No. 8, 5:00 p.m. EDT. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2006-05-02.
^ Living With an Annual Disaster. Zurich Financial Services (July/August 2005). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
^ Sun-Sentinel. Hurricane timeline: 1495 to 1800. Retrieved on 2007-10-03.
^ Peter Linebaugh and Marcus Rediker. The Wreck of the Sea-Venture.
^ The Pennsylvania State University. Lesson 21: Weather. Retrieved on 2007-05-26.
^ Chris Landsea (1998). How does the damage that hurricanes cause increase as a function of wind speed?. Hurricane Research Division. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
^ Staff Writer. "Hurricane Katrina Situation Report #11", Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) United States Department of Energy, 2005-08-30. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d James M. Shultz, Jill Russell and Zelde Espinel (2005). Epidemiology of Tropical Cyclones: The Dynamics of Disaster, Disease, and Development. Oxford Journal. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
^ Rappaport, Ed (May 2006). Inland Flooding. National Hurricane Preparedness Week. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2006-03-31.
^ South Florida Water Management District (October 11, 2005). Editorial Perspectives. Retrieved on 2007-05-17.
^ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2005 Tropical Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Outlook accessed May 2, 2006
^ Whipple, Addison (1982). Storm. Alexandria, VA: Time Life Books, 54. ISBN 0-8094-4312-0.
^ ^a ^b Christopherson, Robert W. (1992). Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 222–224. ISBN 0-02-322443-6.
^ Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Hurricane Research Division (October 4, 2006). Frequently Asked Questions: Are TC tornadoes weaker than midlatitude tornadoes?. NOAA. Retrieved on 2006-07-25.
^ Christopher J. Ryan (December 1993). Costs and benefits of tropical cyclones, severe thunderstorms and bushfires in Australia. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
^ ^a ^b ^c Robert F. Adler (June 20, 2005). Estimating the benefit of TRMM tropical cyclone data in saving lives. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
^ Mark Saunders and Paul Rockett (2001). Improving typhoon predictions. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
^ National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarters. Did you know? Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
^ Anthony Arguez and James B. Elsner (April 11, 2001). Trends in U.S. Tropical Cyclone Mortality During the Past Century. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
^ ^a ^b Val C. Sheffield (2000). The vision of Typhoon Lengkieki. Nature Medicine 746-7. Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
^ Nott, J.F: "Intensity of Prehistoric Tropical Cyclones", Journal of Geophysical Research, 108(D7)
^ Nott, J.F: "Global Climate change and the tropical cyclone palaeo-record in Australia", Paper Delivered to Cyclone Science Seminar, James Cook University, 27 September 2007
^ Nott, J.F: "Intensity of Prehistoric Tropical Cyclones", Journal of Geophysical Research, 108: 4-5

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