Population and Topography Risks
Have a look at all that orange. That is the area where a hurricane is the most likely to hit the Southern US and the Caribbean. The Gulf Coast region is one of the most hazardous places on Earth, in terms of Hurricanes. A large number of storms form in the Atlantic ocean, more specifically in the tropical areas (near the Equator and between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn). Not only are they formed in this region, they also strengthen in this area, due to warmer waters which naturally add energy to the storm as they move. Human settlements in these areas are at a much higher risk for damage from hurricanes. (Note: this was a map for September risks, maps for the other summer months may be found here : http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/ about half way down the page).
What hazards does a hurricane bring?
Hurricanes are among the most powerful weather phenomena that exist on Earth. They can have wind speeds up to 267 kph and radii in the hundred kilometer range. The main "natural" hazards are storm surges, heavy rain, flooding, tornadoes, high velocity winds and flying debris. These can cause a multitude of additional problems such as downed power lines, collapsed buildings, and road destruction. All of these occurrences cause confusion, panic, power outages, and lead to shortages of food and medical supplies in the immediate aftermath of a hurricane, as well as staggering costs for reconstruction.
Have a look at that storm surge. This is possibly even a "storm tide", which is a storm surge that occurs during high tide, and can cause even more damage. One of the big vulnerabilities in the Gulf Coast region is the topography of the region. Below is a topographic map, but how does this affect the damage from a hurricane?
Because its flat!
All the green in this picture represents areas where the elevation is zero meters above sea level. So when all the hurricanes in the region make landfall, the storm surges and high waters are not stopped by any form of natural barrier. For example, if you look at the west end of Mexico on the map, you can see the mountains. If a hurricane came from directly west of Mexico, the inland mountain areas would be far less vulnerable to flooding, because the natural terrain would stop the water. In the Gulf Coast, this is exactly what doesn't happen. See our photo gallery for a picture of a flooded out town.
Why else might the Gulf Coast be at risk?
We've talked about the dangers the storm itself brings, but now lets look at the human side of things. When the major weather organizations (NOAA, The Weather Chanel, etc.) detect a storm forming, they broadcast the news to as many sources as possible. People are then alerted to the imminent danger and governing bodies act accordingly, both before the storm hits and after. It is assumed that if an evacuation warning is issued, people will make plans to leave. But what if they can't? The population of the Gulf Coast region is easily in the millions of people (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Coast_of_the_United_States#Metropolitan_areas) On average about 10-11% live below the poverty line (http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st5/publication/communities/Gulf_Summary_Communities.pdf). So even if we assume they had a place to evacuate to, they very possibly won't have the ability to evacuate, or vice versa. These problems can be applied to everyone, however, not just the poor, for example, there are many cities in his region, which may eliminate a person's need for a car, and there can only be so many forms of public transportation available. Furthermore, hurricanes often cause damage in the billions of dollar range (ex: Katrina), and if you are able to survive a large storm, you may not have the means to rebuild.
Death and Damage Chart (1900-2009)
This chart displays the number of deaths (dark blue) and the costs of hurricane damages in the hundreds of billions (light blue) form 1900-2009. While deaths have been on a downward trend, damage costs have risen staggeringly. So while you're now more likely to survive the storm, its also more likely that you're bank account might not be as fortunate (taken from the White House archives http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/reports/katrina-lessons-learned/chapter1.html ).
But I moved down south to retire!
Another highly vulnerable group in the Gulf Coast region. The Elderly! “In Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina, roughly 71 percent of the victims were older than 60 and 47 percent were over the age of 75. There is truly a need to plan and accommodate all Americans during emergencies, particularly older Americans.” — Christopher Hansen, AARP Group Executive Officer. (http://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/disaster_planning_goal.pdf). This report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that, among other things, there were many among the elderly that suffered from diseases, some of which needed constant medication. As mentioned above, two of the "natural" hazards posed in a hurricane are losses in power and transportation. Certain medications need to be kept refrigerated, others have components that need power to operate (for example a life support or dialysis machine in a hospital). With power out, diseased elderly (and diseased people in general) could end up fighting for their lives.
Many in the elderly population are on a fixed income which can severely hamper their recovery efforts. If the roadways are destroyed, and no new medicine (say insulin, for diabetics) can be safely shipped into the region. This is completely out of their control, but it affects them none the less. It is also less likely that they, like the poor could rebuild as easily.
Many in the elderly population are on a fixed income which can severely hamper their recovery efforts. If the roadways are destroyed, and no new medicine (say insulin, for diabetics) can be safely shipped into the region. This is completely out of their control, but it affects them none the less. It is also less likely that they, like the poor could rebuild as easily.
Food & Water
Food and water are among the most basic necessities that everyone needs, but like the elderly and medication, can be limited in the aftermath of a storm. This problem affects everyone in the region: poor, elderly and anyone else who was unable/unwilling to get out of harm's way. In addition to roadways being blocked, crops are at risk of being destroyed, water treatment plants and sewage stations can be damaged or destroyed, all of which decrease the available emergency supplies to survivors.
Hurricanes pose an incredible risk to the Gulf Coast and the people living there. So the best way to avoid this risk is to heed emergency warnings get out if you are able. If not, stockpile food, water, and medical supplies and try to find emergency shelters. But the best way to survive a hurricane is to not be in one.