There are 4 main ways that HICs and LICs can manage tropical storms.
The main aims of these methods are to save lives, and to protect personal property and infrastructure.
Some of these strategies are more expensive than others. LICs are going to find it difficult to use these expensive techniques and so this is one of the reasons why the damage is often worse for them.
The main aims of these methods are to save lives, and to protect personal property and infrastructure.
Some of these strategies are more expensive than others. LICs are going to find it difficult to use these expensive techniques and so this is one of the reasons why the damage is often worse for them.
Method of protection |
How it works |
How it protects people and the environment |
Sustainability |
Preparation |
Teach people how to prepare properly, what to put in a survival kit (e.g. first aid kit, bottled water) and how to evacuate safely. |
If people know how to react they are more likely to survive as they will safely evacuate. Survival kits can help those who are trapped to survive whilst waiting for help. |
This is sustainable as they are not expensive techniques to put in place. They do however rely on people having access to education to learn how to prepare effectively. |
Planning |
Build new homes and businesses away from areas at risk, such as the coast. Train emergency services on how to react to a storm. Plan evacuation routes. |
Reduces the number of buildings which will be destroyed. Trained people know what to do which reduces the number of deaths as more people will be rescued. Following these routes keeps people away from floods and debris – so less people are injured or die. |
Reduces the cost of rebuilding which saves money in the future, so is sustainable. Requires expense in training, but saves lives so is sustainable. Very low cost to put in place, so highly sustainable. |
Protection |
Design buildings with secure roofs which use reinforced concrete. Raise buildings on stilts. Build levees (along rivers) or sea walls along the coast. |
Buildings are less likely to be destroyed, so less people will die from collapsing buildings and falling debris. Buildings will not be flooded. This reduces the risk of flooding from overflowing rivers, or from storm surges. |
These techniques are expensive to put in place, however if they stop buildings being destroyed this saves money in the long-term as there is less need for rebuilding. |
Prediction and Monitoring |
Data from satellites and radar tracks the movement of storms, computer models then predict the path the storm will take. |
This allows time for evacuation which will reduce the number of deaths and injuries. It also means people can protect their homes and businesses from strong winds and flooding. |
This is sustainable because it is effective – it saves lives by encouraging evacuation and protects buildings by giving people time to prepare. However the equipment to track the storms is expensive and the scientists who monitor storms need specific training. |