SOURCES OF TYPHOON HAZARDS IN THE COASTAL COMMUNITIES

1. Shoreline Erosion— Coastal and ocean dynamics constantly shape and transform the
coast as sand is deposited and lost, resulting in shoreline erosion. Increases in sea level,
hurricanes, and other natural phenomena intensify this process. In many regions,
shoreline erosion has increased during the last century. Coastal buffer zones such as
coastal forests and wetlands are being destroyed as populations rise and more homes,
roads, and businesses are erected near the coasts, making coastal areas more vulnerable to
erosion and flooding.
2. Storm Surge— Storm surge is generally the greatest threat to life and property along the
coast from hurricanes. The rise of the ocean linked with many of the major hurricanes
that have made landfall in the past has resulted in enormous mortality tolls. Hurricane
Katrina (2005) is a perfect example of the havoc and damage that surge can wreak. At
least 1500 people died as a result of Katrina, and many of those deaths were caused
directly or indirectly by storm surge.
Storm surge is a sudden increase in water level caused by a storm that exceeds the
predicted astronomical tides. When storm surge coincides with normal high tide,
resulting in storm tides of up to 20 feet or more in some situations, this spike in water
level can cause severe flooding in coastal areas.
3. Coastal Flooding—In various places of the world, climate change is increasing the risk
and frequency of flooding for coastal populations. Coastal ecosystems, populations, and
water and energy infrastructures are becoming more vulnerable to floods as sea levels
rise, precipitation changes, and storm surges and erosion rates increase. With expected
rates of sea level rise, regions in the Luzon islands, for example, could be swamped by
several feet of water during major storms.
Seasonal high tides and storms that push water toward the coastline are the most
common causes of coastal flooding. Floods in coastal areas are increasingly occurring on
days with less extreme tides or no wind, even on bright days, as sea levels rise. Coastal
flooding can result in frequent road closures, limited storm water drainage capacity,
infrastructure damage, and saltwater intrusion into drinking water. These effects can also
have an influence on human health; for example, deterioration of water infrastructure and
seawater intrusion can expose individuals to diseases and hazardous chemicals.

4. Overpopulation in Coastal Areas (Urbanization)—Coastal regions are affected by

changes in land use and land cover as a result of changes in human population size,
composition, and dispersion. Human activities such as fishing or harvesting, the loss of
mangroves, and pollution and sedimentation can all have an impact on the coastal
environment.
This phenomenon contributes to increasing natural disasters in a way that many
of the world's coastlines are becoming more urbanized. In fact, coasts are home to 14 of
the world's 17 largest cities. Eleven of these cities are in Asia, including Bangkok,
Jakarta, and Shanghai. Furthermore, two-fifths of cities with populations of one million
to ten million people are situated near the coast. Coastal development (including demands
for fresh water and sewage treatment) and damage to coastal ecosystems accompany the
urbanization of coasts.
Mangroves suffer as a result of urbanization. Mangroves, which are salt-tolerant
trees and shrubs that grow in the shallow tidal waters of estuaries and coastal areas in
tropical regions, cover about 8% of the world's coastlines and 25% of the world's tropical
coastlines, where they absorb storm impact and provide nutrients for the majority of the
world's marine life.