NATURAL HAZARDS HANDOUT

A natural hazard may be defined as anything which occurs in the natural environment which

has the potential to damage property and cause loss of life. Natural hazards include such things

as hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, floods and earthquakes. When a natural hazard impacts an

area, causing damage to property and/or loss of life, this is known as a natural disaster. For

instance, a powerful hurricane in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is a natural hazard. If this

hurricane makes landfall, causing several deaths and destroying many homes as well as other

buildings, then this situation is known as a natural disaster.

A natural hazard is an unexpected or unpredictable threat to humans and their property resulting

from the geomorphic/physical, climatic and biological environment.

Natural hazards are acts of nature which are unpredictable and extreme and which threaten life

and property.

The Caribbean is prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, volcanic eruption and landslides

because:

i. the Caribbean plate lies on or are close to plate boundaries which

cause earthquakes and volcanic eruption

ii. they lie in the direct path/track of hurricanes which occur off the West African \

coast and travel across to the Caribbean

iii. areas are low lying and most people occupy coastal/flat locations

iv. many people occupy steep slopes or below them

v. people are changing the landscape by removing vegetation

Examples of Hazards which have impacted the Caribbean:

Haiti (Earthquake 2010/7.0 – over 230, 000 persons were killed, many injured,

homeless, diseases such as cholera, public and private properties destroyed, no

water and light Port-Au-Prince destroyed, roads, water facilities, property etc),
Jamaica (Kgn –1993) caused landslides, death (2), destruction of property,

homelessness

Montserrat (Souferiere Hills volcano erupted in 1995 – 1997, 2010 – capital city

(Plymouth)was buried and a village destroyed, also farmlands, 19 killed, tourism

industry destroyed, evacuation of people – pyroclastic flow superheated clouds of

ash and rocks, ash falls, lahars (mudflows from washing down of ash by rainfall),

airport, port, roads, hospital, school (1), hotels, main industry, banks, government

offices now lie under ash, new capital is Little Bay

Jamaica (Gilbert/1988, Grenada, Grand Cayman, Cuba (hurricane Ivan 2004) –

homelessness people were killed (Ja/Grenada), public and private property, roads

and bridges were destroyed, agriculture affected, electricity and telephone lines

were destroyed, flooding, some communities were cut off, lootings

Jamaica (Monday, September 12, 1988): Hurricane Gilbert slams into Jamaica with sustained

winds of 130 miles per hour. Reports indicate that about 32 inches of rain were dumped on the

island and that storm surge was up to 19 feet. About 80% of homes were badly damaged and at

least 45 people lost their lives. Click here to learn more.

Volcanoes:

Advantageous Effects

1. People live close to volcanoes because Geothermal energy can be harnessed by using the

steam from underground which has been heated by the Earth's magma. This steam is used

to drive turbines in geothermal power stations to produce electricity for domestic and

industrial use. Countries such as Iceland and New Zealand use this method of generating

electricity.

2. Volcanoes attract millions of visitors around the world every year. Apart from the

volcano itself, hot springs and geysers can also bring in the tourists. Old Faithful and

Yellowstone Park in the USA; Fuji in Japan etc.

3. It creates many jobs for people in the tourism industry. This includes work in hotels,
restaurants and gift shops. Often locals are also employed as tour guides.

4. The lava contains minerals that can be mined once the lava has cooled. These include

gold, silver, diamonds, copper and zinc, depending on their mineral composition. Often,

mining towns develop around volcanoes.

5. The lava weather/decay to form some of the most mineral rich soils in the world. This is

ideal for farming. Lava and materials are thus weathered to form nutrient rich soil which

can be cultivated to produce healthy crops and rich harvests. E.g. Java in Indonesia, St.

Kitts and St. Vincent, Hawaii, Iceland and Vesuvious.

6. Many seafloors and islands e.g. The Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean (Monsterrat, St.

Vincent, St. Kitts etc) owe their existence to volcanic activity.

7. It allows for the siting or location of towns or settlements.

8. Hot springs have been used for central heating and supplying swimming baths e.g.

Iceland.

Disadvantages

1. The destruction of crops, buildings, roads, bridges and other property.

2. The loss of lives as a result of lava flow, gas, ash and dust e.g. Pompeii was destroyed by

Mt. Vesuvious and Mt. Pelee eruption which killed, injured, burned or suffocated 25,000

to 40,000 people (N.B. This was caused from Pyroclastic flow which is a deadly dense

mixture of hot gases and ash – occurred after the 1980s Mt.St.Helens eruption.

3. Pollution from dust, ash, gases which cause diseases and infections.

4. Flooding due to blocked drains.

5. Heating of lakes, rivers etc thereby killing fishes etc.

6. Destruction of the tourist industry e.g. in Montserrat.

7. Mudflows e.g. the heat of falling ash from Mt.St.Helens melted the snow capped

mountain (N.B. the meltwater and ash forms lahar); 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz in

Colombia – 20,000 deaths; 1991 mudflow occurred from rain soaked ash in Pinatubo in

1991

8. Decrease in sunlight/visibility due to ash and dust in the air e.g. The Mount St. Helens
eruption in 1980 where the ash blackened the midday sun for 150 km

9. Migration of people.

10. Accidents through slippery roads from ash fall.

11. It influences the climate causing cooling through the large quantity of dust in the air

which partially blocks out incoming sunlight thus causing cooling which eventually leads

to rainfall. Sulphur rich gases in the air along with dust may cause acid rain.

Individual/Community Response

a. Evacuation to designated areas e.g. People in Plymouth/Montserrat 1997 moved further

north of the island or went to Antigua and other Caribbean countries (move from low

lying and flood prone areas, steep sloping areas, areas of looses soil, slopes of volcanoes

etc) hurc

b. Keep informed

c. Take out insurance

National

d. Provision of shelters in schools, churches and other buildings

e. Seismic Unit of the UWI monitored movements before and after so as to give warning.

f. Construction of volcanic hazard maps which designate areas to be avoided or be

evacuated.

g. Adhering to proper assessment of safe land use planning.

h. Use of building codes in construction

i. Providing medical care, food, water and emergency shelter

j. Provide information regarding the signs of a likely eruption:

i. Increased stem from vent.

ii. New steaming areas.

iii. Development of cracks or widening of old ones.

iv. Growth of underground mass of magma which pushes up the surface slightly.

v. Slight increase in temperature and a series of earthquakes

Regional

i. Provision of Volcanic Hazard map to show areas of volcanic risk (Seismic

Research Unit of the UWI) and monitoring for further action

ii. The Caribbean Disaster Information Centre (UWI, Mona) provides a wide variety

of information on disasters

iii. Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Relief Agency –CDERA)

 coordinate disaster response when requested

 channel information to governments etc, reduce and mitigate the consequences of

disasters

 provide training for disaster management personnel

 mobilizing and coordinating disaster relief (search and rescue etc)

 mobilizing resources for disaster management/provide aid/relief

 improve emergency telecommunications

 furthering education and public awareness

 keeping a database with information on disaster response capabilities

Earthquakes:

Effects

1. Destruction of property.

2. Loss of lives e.g. 20,000 in 2001 in India, 800 in Kingston 1907, 1692 over 2000 in Port

Royal, Mexico City in 1985, 8,000

3. Gigantic waves called tsunami which destroys coastal areas e.g. 2/3 of Port Royal was

submerged in Jamaica in 1692.Annotto Bay and Buff Bay in 1692. December 2004

around the region of the Pacific Ocean affecting Singapore, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka,

Malaysia, Philippines. Over 50,000 lives were lost.

4. Displacement of rocks and rivers may change there course as a result of this.

5. Raising and lowering of parts of the seafloor e.g. Sagami Bay in Japan.

6. Homelessness
7. Flooding

8. Fires from burst gas pipelines running underground etc e.g. Kingston 1907.

9. Roads and bridges are destroyed.

10. Landslides and rockfalls from trmors e.g. in Peru in 1970.

11. Diseases from decaying bodies.

Individual/Community/National Response

i. Regular earthquake drills.

ii. Staying away from buildings, trees and power lines

iii. Standing in a door jam or getting under a table.

iv. Improving the structure of buildings through the use of building codes e.g. use of

moment resistant frames, braced frames, change the height and shape of buildings

(from vertical to horizontal), shift weight to the lower floors, change the type of

materials

v. Selective land use to minimize effects thus building away from faults or landslide

prone areas.

vi. Take out insurance

vii. Stay calm and protect head and face

viii. Check for fires after

ix. Collect water for later use

x. Leave a building if its badly damaged

xi. Listen to the radio for emergency bulletins

xii. Do not go sightseeing

xiii. Prepare for after shocks

National

xiv. Generation of computers designed to predict movements.

xv. Encourage earthquake drills in public places

xvi. Ensure proper building code (Parish Council)

xvii. Provision of emergency relief

xviii. Educate on signs which predict an occurrence:

i. Sesimic activity

ii. Change in the behaviour pattern of animals.

iii. Water level changes.

iv. Bulges in the earth’s crust.

v. Shortened survey lines

vi. Effects of strain meters in wells.

vii. Changes in land elevation

Regional:

i. Provision of Earthquake Hazard map to show areas of volcanic risk (Seismic

Research Unit of the UWI/US Geological Survey). The UWI keep member governments

informed by researching and monitoring activity

ii. Provision of relief in terms of food, medicine, building material, generators and

money (countries, religious groups, organizations, voluntary individuals)

iii. Providing doctors, police etc to offer medical care

iv. Provide assistance in construction and distribution

v. The Caribbean Disaster Information Centre (UWI, Mona) provides a wide variety

of information on disasters

vi. Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Relief Agency –CDERA)

 coordinate disaster response when requested

 channel information to governments etc, reduce and mitigate the consequences of

disasters

 provide training for disaster management personnel

 mobilizing and coordinating disaster relief

 mobilizing resources for disaster management

 improve emergency telecommunications

 furthering education and public awareness

 keeping a database with information on disaster response capabilities

Hurricane:

Effects

1. Death

2. Homelessness e.g. Portland Cottage: Ivan Sept. 2004.

3. Destruction of property – buildings (Portland Cottage – Hurricane Ivan Sept 2004),

crops, animals etc

4. Flooding e.g. St. Thomas: Jamaica on Sept. 12, 2004 – Hurricane Ivan, Emily July 16,

2005.

5. Pollution of water

6. Downing of light poles

7. Destruction and blockage of roads e.g. Bull Bay Hurricane Dennis July 8, 2005.

N.B

a. Hurricane Hugo Sept. 1989, killed 12 people, injured 80, 3000 homeless (Guadelope).

b. Hurricane David in 1979 killed 1200 across the Caribbean.

c. Hurricane Mitch Oct. 1998, 6,500 were killed in Honduras, 20% homeless, 60% of

roads and bridges were unusable, 70% crops destroyed. In Nicaragua, 3,800 killed.

d. Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Louisanna, USA (Sept 2005) causing death,

homelessness, destruction of buildings/property, flooding, loss of power etc.

Preparation or Precautions taken by Individuals/Communities

i. Put together an emergency supply kit.

ii. Stock up on non-perishable food, water, battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries,

first aid kit and family medication (label containers, use waterproof containers, store

items in terms of use, observe expiration dates etc)

iii. Trim trees and secure loose objects which could be missiles.

iv. Batten down windows (use masking tape to tape windows), doors, roof etc with shutters

or lumber etc

v. Remove/secure all outdoor objects e.g. awnings, satellite dish, T.V antenna, garbage cans

etc

vi. Remove hanging objects e.g. clocks, paintings etc, wrap important papers in plastic or

waterproof containers and store in safe place.

vii. Fill your car with gas, containers etc.

viii. Continue to monitor radio stations etc for advisories.

ix. Disconnect switch or electric circuits/turn off or disconnect all electrical appliances.

x. Clean community/yard drains of debris.

xi. Remove to shelters.

xii. Ensure enough boards, nails, rope etc on hand to batten down property

Before

a. Ensure enough boards, nails, rope etc on hand to batten down property.

b. If you live in low lying, coastal or flood prone areas, be ready to evacuate.

c. Decide on likely evacuation routes. Plan to stay with family/friends in safer areas or

public shelters.

d. Put together an emergency supply kit.

e. Stock up on non-perishable food, water, battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries,

first aid kit and family medication (label containers, use waterproof containers, store

items in terms of use, observe expiration dates etc)

f. Trim trees and secure loose objects which could be missiles.

g. All business houses must activate their disaster plans.

h. Batten down windows (use masking tape to tape windows), doors, roof etc with shutters
or lumber etc

i. Remove/secure all outdoor objects e.g. awnings, satellite dish, T.V antenna, garbage cans

etc

j. Remove hanging objects e.g. clocks, paintings etc, wrap important papers in plastic or

waterproof containers and store in safe place.

k. Fill your car with gas, containers etc.

l. Continue to monitor radio stations etc for advisories.

m. Disconnect switch or electric circuits/turn off or disconnect all electrical appliances.

n. Avoid the use of elevators, identify nearest stairway.

o. Set freezers and refrigerators to their coldest settings.

p. Clean yard and drain of debris.

q. Look over your insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage and photograph

house, rooms and items.

During

a. Stay calm and on the inside.

b. Stay away from windows and doors.

c. Listen the radio for information.

d. If house show signs of breakage stay in door jam or under a table.

After

a. Listen to news to know whether or not it is safe to go outside.

b. Do not go sightseeing – broken bottles, downed power lines, contaminated water etc.

c. Do not go outside barefooted, avoid open shoes.

d. Keep lines clear for emergency calls.

e. Bury all dead animals as soon as possible.

f. Be aware of downed power lines, weakened bridges, washed out roads and weakened

trees.
g. Purify water by boiling or adding bleach (2 drops per litre, 4 for cloudy water). Let water

stand for 30 minutes before drinking.

h. Use perishable food first.

i. Report broken sewers or water mains.

j. Check house for structural damages.

k. Don’t strike a match until checks are made for gas leaks.

l. Make temporary repairs.

m. Obey curfews.

n. Avoid driving.

o. Do an inventory of supplies.

Insurance Companies

i. Coverage against hazards such as hurricane, earthquakes etc is classified under

property, motor vehicle, marine/aviation transport and liability insurance. An

individual is entitled to 2% of the sum insured.

Tips given to reduce effects:

a. Anchoring walls into well dug foundations.

b. Reinforcing wall segments with pillars.

c. Fusing walls into roof support.

d. Not constructing in hazard-prone, low-lying coastal areas.

e. Not building along steep slopes.

f. Adhering to land use regulation

g. Adhering to building codes and material specification.

h. Using protective devices e.g. repairing roof, batten down etc

i. Utilizing insurance mechanisms.

Before

a. have electrician check service wire connection to avoid dislocation by heavy

winds.

b. Set freezers and refrigerators to their coldest settings.

c. During lightning storms unplug appliances

After

a. Check for electrical damage, frayed wires, fallen power lines or the smell of hot or

burned insulation. Don’t turn on power until repairs are done.

b. Be careful not to walk through water to get to your main power break.

c. Use standby generators properly by ensuring proper ventilation, turn off when refueling,

plug appliances in by using extensions, use a licensed electrician to connect generator to

the main panel.

National Response to Hurricane Preparedness

ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management)

i. Evacuate persons from flood prone areas

ii. Educate citizens on what to do

iii. Provide shelters and inform citizens of their location

iv. Clean drains

JPS/NWC

a. Revision, update and circulation of the Company’s Hurricane Disaster Preparedness

Manual with details of operational actions and assignments.

b. Emergency supplies and equipment are being restocked.

c. Disaster Preparedness Meetings and Workshops have been held and employees put on

notice to prepare.

d. Assistance have been sought from external partners, suppliers and contractors as to likely
need for assistance.

e. There has been the clearing of overhanging trees, servicing generators, disaster related

maintenance of facilities and cleaning of on-property drains etc.

f. Encourage business operators and householders to store, conserve and use water carefully

in preparation for likely disruption. This is due to the fact that many water supply systems

have intakes in river beds and are susceptible to flood damages and blockages, wells

located in low lying areas are susceptible to flooding, most systems are dependent on the

public electricity supply, there are undulating pipelines at risk to land slippages, pipeline

dislocation and breakages which can lead to contamination and muddy inflows after

heavy rainfall. Also most water systems are partly situated in very remote areas that are

difficult to access.

Meteorological Service

a. Provide information on public shelters and parish disaster co-ordinators.

b. Inform the public about terms such as tropical storm, tropical depression, storm

surge, hurricane, hurricane warning as well as hurricane names.

c. Provide regular weather reports

d. Track storms using radar equipment which will issue regular warnings and

watches (National Hurricane Centre was tracking Ivan hence predictions about its

course and strength were revised and constantly available

Regional Response to Hurricane Preparedness

i. Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Relief Agency –CDERA)

 coordinate disaster response when requested

 channel information to governments etc, reduce and mitigate the consequences of

disasters

 provide training for disaster management personnel

 mobilizing and coordinating disaster relief

 mobilizing resources for disaster management

 improve emergency telecommunications

 furthering education and public awareness

 keeping a database with information on disaster response capabilities

ii. The UWI keep member governments informed by researching and monitoring

activity

iii. The Caribbean Disaster Information Centre (UWI, Mona) provides a wide variety

of information on disasters