Environmental Hazard : Tropical storms

I see……… I think……. I wonder…

Title: Tropical Storms (Hurricanes)  Date: 28/06/2016  Lesson Aims:  To find out why tropical storms occur.  To find out the damage that can be caused by tropical storms.  To find out how we can predict tropical storms.  To find out the responses that we give in aid after tropical storms.

Starter: Hurricane Katrina  Take the heading “Hurricane Katrina”  Talk with the people around you and discuss everything that you know about Hurricane Katrina. (4 mins)  Be ready to feed back to the class.

Hurricane Katrina: Caught on camera.  You are going to watch a video documentary on Hurricane Katrina.  You must take notes on 3 areas: 1. How did the people prepare for Hurricane Katrina – could they predict it coming? 2. What damage did the tropical storm cause? 3. What aid was given after the tropical storm?

How did the people prepare for Hurricane Katrina – could they predict it coming? Did this help the people?

What damage did the tropical storm cause?

 What aid was given after the tropical storm?

Katrina fact file:  Preparation:  The U.S.A is a developed country and this means they have the resources and technology, such as satellites and specially equipped aircraft, to predict and monitor the occurrence of storms.  They are also equipped to train the emergency services appropriately and to educate people about necessary precautions.  Storm warnings can be issued to enable the population to evacuate or prepare themselves for the storm. People can prepare by storing food and water or boarding up their windows.

Katrina fact file:  Developing countries are often far less prepared. They do not have the technology to predict accurate storm warnings and therefore usually suffer far more.  In the case of Hurricane Katrina people knew the storm was coming far in advance. They had time to prepare and evacuate if they wished to.

Impacts  Many homes and possession were destroyed.  Storm surges reached over 6 metres in height.  New Orleans was one of the worst affected areas because it is below sea level and protected by levees. These protect it from the Mississippi River and Lake Ponchartrain. The levee defences were unable to cope with the strength of Katrina, and water flooded into the city.  Despite an evacuation order, many of the poorest people remained in the city.  People sought refuge in the Superdome stadium. Conditions were unhygienic and there was a shortage of food and water.  Looting was commonplace throughout the city. Tension was high and many felt vulnerable and unsafe.  1 million people were made homeless and about 1,200 people drowned in the floods.  Oil facilities were damaged and as a result petrol prices rose in the UK and USA.

Responses  There was much criticism of the authorities for their handling of the disaster. Although many people were evacuated, it was a slow process and the poorest and most vulnerable were left behind.  $50 billion in aid was given by the government.  The UK government sent food aid during the early stages of the recovery process.  The National Guard was mobilised to restore and maintain law and order in what became a hostile and unsafe living environment.

End of lesson  Snowballing:  Take a page at the back of your jotter.  Write Katrina at the top of the page.  You have 3 minutes to write down everything you can about Hurricane Katrina – YOU MUST NOT LOOK AT YOUR JOTTER OR NOTES!  After 3 minutes you will move around the room and talk to as many people as you can and add to your page for a further 4 minutes.

 raphy/weather_climate/weather_human_activity _video.shtml raphy/weather_climate/weather_human_activity _video.shtml  Video summary (only half of video)

 How well did they predict the hurricane?  How well were the people prepared?