Tropical Cyclones also known as Hurricanes and Typhoons are one of the most dangerous hazards to people. Every year, they cause consdierable loss of life and immense damaged to property. However, tropical cyclones are essential features of the Earth's atmosphere. as they transfer heat and energy between the equator and the cooler regions nearer the poles. In this essay I will look at whether or not the impacts of tropical cyclones depends primarily on the preparedness and planning or whether other factors linked to the devastation of two storms I have studied. I will look at Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Cyclone Nargis in 2008. Tropical storm impacts can be reduced with good planning and preparation,
Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans after travelling across the Gulf of Mexico on 28th August 2005, categorised level 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. The hurricane caused 1,836 deaths and more than a million people became refugees. An estimated three million people were left with no power or water supplies and over a 100 schools were damaged. The total cost of damage was estimated at around $300 billion, badly effecting the oil industry near the Guilf of Mexico with approximately 230,000 jobs lost.
The other tropical storm, Cyclone Nargis which struck Burma on the 2nd May 2008, categorised level 4. This storm caused around 140,000 deaths and more than 450,000 people were made homeless. Almost 70% of the population had no access to clean water and approximately 4000 schools were destroyed or damaged. The total cost of damage was around $4 billion with the agricultural industry feeling the worst of the impacts with around 200,000 farm animals killed.
Looking at both case studies it is evident that Cyclone Nargis recieved the worst impacts, we must now investigate which area had better planning and preparation to see if this matches the