2. Hazard Case Studies: Which are worse: The impacts of hazards in developed or emerging countries?
EITHER:
Montserrat, Montserrat (DEVELOPING / EMERGING COUNTRY)
Case study: Chances Peak, Montserrat, an LEDC
Plymouth covered in ash from volcanic eruptions on Montserrat
Montserrat is a small island in the Caribbean. There is a volcanic area located in the south of the island on Soufriere Hills called Chances Peak. Before 1995 it had been dormant for over 300 years. In 1995 the volcano began to give off warning signs of an eruption (small earthquakes and eruptions of dust and ash). Once Chances Peak had woken up it then remained active for five years. The most intense eruptions occurred in 1997.
During this time, Montserrat was devastated by pyroclastic flows. The small population of the island (11,000 people) was evacuated in 1995 to the north of Montserrat as well as to neighbouring islands and the UK.
Despite the evacuations, 19 people were killed by the eruptions as a small group of people chose to stay behind to watch over their crops.
Volcanic eruptions and lahars have destroyed large areas of Montserrat. The capital, Plymouth, has been covered in layers of ash and mud. Many homes and buildings have been destroyed, including the only hospital, the airport and many roads.
The graphic shows the progress of the eruption and its impact on the island.
Montserrat - eruption progress and impact
Short-term responses and results
Evacuation.
Abandonment of the capital city.
The British government gave money for compensation and redevelopment.
Unemployment rose due to the collapse of the tourist industry.
Long-term responses and results
An exclusion zone was set up in the volcanic region.
A volcanic observatory was built to monitor the volcano.
New roads and a new airport were built.
Services in the north of the island were expanded.
The presence of the volcano resulted in a growth in tourism.
Volcanic activity has calmed down in recent years and people have begun to return to the island.
Versus
Mt St Helens, USA (DEVELOPED COUNTRY)
Mount St Helens is on the plate boundary between the Juan de Fuca plate and North American plate. When it erupted it permanently changed the surrounding landscape.
Effects of the eruption
Short-term responses and results: Communications such as roads and bridges were repaired. / People were rehoused.
Long-term responses and results: Soil fertility improved due to the ash deposits. / The volcano is now more carefully monitored. / Tourism has increased, boosting the local economy.
OR:
Hurricane Sandy, USA October 2012
Originated in the Atlantic as a cluster of thunderstorms west of Africa and
moved towards the Caribbean. It became a hurricane on 24 October.
Sandy hit Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Bahamas and
skirted the east coast of the USA.
A high pressure system in Canada stopped hurricane Sandy from heading
further north so it turned inland and hit Atlantic City and moved north to
New York.
Sandy caused large amounts of damage including the flooding due to a
storm surge in New York (4m higher than the low tide).
Impacts:  
286 deaths (147 directly 72 in the USA and the rest in Caribbean, including 54 in Haiti and 11 in Cuba).
Flooding and closure of the New York stock exchange and underground
Costs = $60 billion ($18 billion in New York).
¾ million houses damaged or destroyed in the USA
8.5 million homes and businesses lost power.
More than 18,000 flights were cancelled.
Management:
Weather warnings issues.
Evacuation ordered by New York Mayor, schools closed and the airport shut to reduce the number of people who would be affected
Closure of the stock exchange and key infrastructure to reduce damage
VERSUS
Typhoon Haiyan November 2013 Philippines
Hurricane hit.
Storm surge 5m high
Impacts 14 million people were affected. The city of Tacloban was badly affected Over 1 million properties destroyed or damaged.
7400 died
9 million affected
1.9 million homeless, 6,000,000 displaced. $2.9billion lost (mainly agriculture)
Airport destroyed
Loss of rice crop
Disease outbreak Management & responses The government issued "A State of National Calamity" and asked for international help
By December, water tanks had been installed by charities like Oxfam but not in all areas.  6 Months later, many people still had limited access to shelter and water.  NGOs like the International Red cross were trying to provide adequate settlements, fresh water access and access to jobs/livelihood.
PREPARATION/PLANNING The Philippines authorities have invested in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). They spent $624m on this in 2011 – two per cent of the national budget and 0.28 per cent of GDP – while at least five per cent of a local authority's revenue is set aside for its Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund