What do cyclones destroy

For a typical landfalling storm, the surge affects about km of coastline for a period of several hours and may penetrate as much as 15 to 30 km inland. Larger storms that are moving slowly may impact considerably longer stretches of coastline.

Wind blowing across a stretch of open water creates waves on the surface of the water. The wave heights depend on a number of factors including the wind velocity, the length of time the wind has been blowing, the distance over which the wind has blown or the fetch , and upon the state of the sea at the time the wind started to blow. Some of the highest ocean waves are generated by the winds of tropical cyclones. In the Atlantic average hurricane waves are about 10 m.

The impacts of storm surge are coastal flooding, beach erosion, and the removal of beach materials among others. In critical regions with extensive building in the coastal regions, the wind wave effects are important. Waves are a constant force, which reshape coastal areas. They wear away rocky shorelines, move sand - eroding or building beach areas - and damage structures in their paths.

Although inundation due the storm surge poses a damage problem, the pounding nature of the waves which accompany the storm surge is responsible for most of the damage to the structures. The effect that a wave can have on a stretch of coastline is determined not only by the strength of the wave itself, but also by the slope of the bottom offshore, presence of coral reefs or other breakwaters and the shape of the coastline.

These factors can dissipate wave energy before it reaches the shore or concentrate it, significantly increasing local wave effects. When combined with increased water levels from storm related surges, waves produced during a hurricane can reach areas typically shielded from the direct effects of waves, destroying buildings and dramatically altering the existing shoreline.

Tornadoes are not normally a tropical phenomenon but are frequently spawned by hurricanes on crossing coastlines and islands.

Hurricane-spawned tornadoes are much more common than was once thought. Tornadoes spawned by tropical cyclone have not generally been reported over the Caribbean. However, some patterns of damage suggest that tornadoes may actually occur more often than reported. Since tornadoes form in conjunction with strong convection, they are more likely to occur near the outer edge of the eyewall cloud or in the outer rainbands.

The force of the wind and the sudden reduction in pressure are the major destructive impacts of tornadoes. How many died and what was the damage?

These are the two most frequently asked questions about tropical cyclones and rightly so. The approximately 80 tropical cyclones that occur throughout the globe each year cause billions of dollars in damage and kill about 10, people. However, in addition to the cost, there may be some economic benefits to be derived from tropical cyclones.

The direct or indirect costs from a cyclone can be divided into a number of broad categories, some of which are identified below. Cost of damage. Cost of preparedness. Cost of the warning service. Cost of relief. Loss in business revenue. Losses to agriculture. Economic Gains from a Cyclone Although we tend to focus on the losses due to a cyclone, a complete economic study must also consider the benefits.

Two hurricanes lashed Mexico in and caused considerable damage to several communities. However, the rains filled reservoirs, saved crops and the economic agricultural gains more than offset the coastal losses. Heavy, irreparable damage and near complete destruction of gas station canopies and other wide span overhang type structures are also common. Mobile and manufactured homes are leveled. These cyclones cause major erosion of beach areas and terrain may be flooded well inland.

Category 5, the highest category. These storms cause complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings, and some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away.

Collapse of many wide-span roofs and walls, especially those with no interior supports, is common. Only a few types of structures are capable of surviving intact, and only if located at least 4 to 8 kilometer inland. When this happens, the storm tide can reach areas that might otherwise have been safe.

Queensland homes within 50 kilometres of the coastline north from Bundaberg need to be strong enough to withstand cyclonic winds.

In addition, homes located within to metres of an open shoreline are at risk of impacts from breaking waves caused by storm tide. To understand your storm tide risk, you can request a Coastal Hazard Property Map which shows the estimated storm tide levels for your particular property. You can also talk to a coastal engineer who can confirm whether your property is likely to be impacted by waves during a storm tide. As a cyclone approaches, the wind and rain gradually increases over several hours.

Winds caused by cyclones are powerful enough to break large trees, roll over sea containers, and blow away unsecured caravans, garden sheds and poorly constructed roofed patios.

Strong winds associated with cyclones can cause extensive property damage and turn loose items into wind-borne debris that cause further building damage. Slow moving cyclones can take many hours to move past a particular location, causing extreme wind and rain that can last up to 12 hours.

The severity of cyclones are expressed as categories one to five. The Bureau of Meteorology explains below. If you live in a cyclone prone area, the following steps will help you reduce your risk.

Home Understand your risk Types of disasters Cyclone and storm surge. What is a cyclone, a storm surge and a storm tide? Understanding tropical cyclone categories The severity of cyclones are expressed as categories one to five. Damage to some crops, trees and caravans. Boats may drag moorings. Significant damage to signs, trees and caravans. Heavy damage to some crops.