THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT OF TROPICAL CYCLONES

CONTENTS
• Explanation of tropical cyclones……………… 1
• Explanation of cyclone Florence……………1-2
• Why cyclones develop in summer…………. 4
• Impact of Coriolis force………… 4-5
• Stage of development of cyclone Florence……5
• How cyclone Florence impacted the environment….6
• How cyclone Florence impacted the economy……..6-7
• How cyclone Florence impacted the community……7
• Reducing the impact of cyclone Florence…….7
• Impact of global warming on frequently of tropical cyclones……8
• Conclusion…...8
• Pages…..9
TROPICAL CYCLONE:
A warm core cyclone that originates over a tropical ocean area, generally beginning as a
tropical depression and having the potential to intensify and develop into a Hurrian or
typhoon, classifications that develop on where the storm is occurring. In the northern
hemisphere, tropical cyclones occure between June and November peaking in September.
In the southern hemisphere the season lasts from November to April, but storms remain
less common here than in the northern hemisphere.
A tropical cyclone is a large and powerful low pressure rotating counterclockwise in the
northern hemisphere, clockwise in the southern hemisphere and containing rising warm air
that forms over warm water, tropical cyclones are also caused by rising sea surface
temperatures.
The Saffir Simpson hurricane wind scale is based on the highest wind speed averaged over a
one-minute interval 10m above the surface. Although the scale shows wind speeds in
continuous speed ranges, the national hurricane center and central pacific hurricane center
assign tropical cyclone intensities in 5knot increments because of the inherent uncertainty
in estimating the strength of tropical cyclones. Wind speeds in knots are then converted to
other units and rounded to the nearest 5km\h

CYCLONE FLORENCE:
Hurricane Florence was a powerful and long-lived Cape Verde hurricane that caused
catastrophic damage in the Carolinas in September 2018, primarily because of fresh water
flooding due to torrential rain. Florence originated from a strong tropical wave that
emerged off the west coast of Africa on August 30, 2018.
Originating from a tropical wave over west Africa, Florence quickly organized upon its
emergence over the Atlantic Ocean. Favorable atmospheric conditions enabled it to develop
into a tropical depression on August 31 just south of Cape Verde islands. Florence also
produced extensive wind damage along the North Carolina coast from cape lookout
southwestward across Carteret, Onslow, Pender, and new Hanover counties.
Florence weakened considerably during its trek to North Carolina when it encountered wind
shear upper-level winds that disrupted its momentum and caused its winds to weaken. The
storms eye wall which surrounds the hurricanes calm eye contain hurricane’s most powerful
winds.
Florence was a long lived category 4 hurricane (on the Saffir Simpson hurricane wind scale
)that made landfall along the southeastern coast of north Carolina near the upper end of
category 1
Though a tropical cyclone typically moves from east to west in the tropics, its track may shift
poleward and eastward either as it moves west of the subtropical ridge axis or else if it
interacts with the mid latitude flow, such as the jet stream or an extratropical cyclone.

WHY DO TROPICAL CYCLONES DEVELOP IN LATE SUMMER?

Tropical cyclones require warm surface waters at least 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). During
the late summer months, the sea surface temperatures reach their highest levels and
provide tropical cyclones with the energy they need to develop into major storms.
Warm sea surface temperatures, which reach a peak in late summer, are required to create,
and maintain the warm, humid air mass in which tropical cyclones grow. This provides
energy for storm development through the heat stored in humid air called latent heat.

THE IMPACT OF CORIOLIS FORCE AND LATENT HEAT ON THE DEVELOPMENT

OF TROPICAL CYCLONES
Earth rotates toward the east and this rotation causes fluids, such as air and currents, to be
deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern
Hemisphere. Large amounts of latent heat are released within the eyewall once the water
vapor in the ascending air condenses. The net effect is a thermal expansion of the
atmospheric column, leading to a pressure drop at the surface with an associated
strengthened horizontal pressure gradient between the storm and the environment.

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF TROPICAL CYCLONE FLORENCE

The sixth named storm, third hurricane and the first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic
hurricane season Florence originated from a strong tropical wave that emerged off the west
coast of Africa on August 30, 2018
tropical depression developed during the afternoon on August 31 just southwest of the
Cape Verde Island. Becoming better organized, tropical storm Florence developed during
early morning of September 1 after landfall, Florence’s winds steadily weakened as it moved
further inland across South Carolina.

WHY CATEGORY 1 MORE DESTRUCTIVE THTAN CATEGORY 5

To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have one minute average maximum
sustained winds at 10m above the surface of at least 74mph (category 1). The highest
classified in the scale, category 5 consists of storms with sustained winds of at least
157mph.
Category 1 hurricanes have sustained wind speed of at least seventy-four miles per hour
and can inflict heavy damage to buildings, roofs, windows, and the environment. Category 5
hurricanes have sustained winds of more than 155 miles per hour and destroy everything in
their paths. Category 1: Very dangerous winds will produce some damage. In a category 1
hurricane, falling debris could strike people, livestock and pets and older mobile homes
could be destroyed. Protected glass windows will generally make through the hurricane
without major damage

HOW DID TROPICAL CYCLONE FLORENCE IMPACT THE ENVIRONMENT?

Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina in September 2018 causing extensive
flooding. Several potential sources of hazardous substances and superfund sites sustained
water damage and contaminants may have been released into the environment. Flooding
from hurricane Florence caused several spills of untreated and partially treated wastewater
from drinking water plants in the southeastern parts of the state. The soil and sand that was
blown onto the land destroyed vegetations, the houses and other material things we blown
away or were destroyed.
Strong winds and flooding impacted plants and killed land animals, devastating natural
areas. Hurricanes also destroyed energy and chemical production facilities, gas stations, and
other businesses, causing the release of toxic chemicals and pollutants into the
environment.

HOW DID TROPICAL CYCLONE FLORENCE IMPACT THE ECONOMY?

Despite the wide path of devastation left by hurricane Florence, its effect on U. S economy
is likely to be modest. The storm is projected to shave economic growth in the current
quarter by one to two tenths of a percentage point. Malls or restaurants and manufactures
were temporarily shut down. That means an economy projected to grow a robust 3.9
percent in the current quarter could instead expand by still healthy 3.7 percent. The damage
to homes, businesses and public infrastructure is expected to total 16 billion. Such estimates
are still flus because of severe flooding that could last for days.
The net impact of hurricane Florence included losses to the US economy of more than 35.3 billion in
the total expenditure .15 billion in real gross domestic products (constant 2009 dollars).10 billion in
personal income and 107,500 personal years of employment. Moody’s estimated that the direct
damages from the hurricane Florence was one of the top 10 costliest natural disasters in US history

HOW DID TROPICAL CYCLONE FLORENCE IMPACT

PEOPLE/COMMUNITIES?
The strong winds can damage buildings and infrastructure, while rain and storm surges can
lead to flooding. Other risks and storm surges can lead to flooding. Other risks include
landslides, mudslides, and coastal erosion. It’s not just the event itself that’s damaging. The
aftereffects of cyclones can cause widespread chaos as people try and rebuild their lives.
Powerful waves generated during cyclones can seriously damage habitats and landforms,
particularly coral reefs, and shorelines. Cyclonic winds can also cause substantial changes in
the shape of islands and coastlines, affect ocean currents, and increase inshore ocean
turbidity through suspension of sediments.
Losses of life and material damage were significant due to strong wing, heavy rains, large
swells, and storm surge. Hazardous phenomena are not only located on islands and coasts.
Even mitigated, hurricanes often cause damages inland, through floods and landslides,
sometimes hundreds of kilometers from the ocean.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF

CYCLONE FLORENCE IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT?
*Government can stockpile supplies, fuel, and establish an emergency water supply.
*Government can establish shelters where people can take shelter during the storms.
*Government can assist in the aftermath of storms
*Government can mandate storm insurance coverage
*Government should or should’ve prepared the people as early they could and tell them
they should expect the unexpected

LOCAL RESIDENTS
Concentrate on safety
*People and their families may be personally affected by the storm and their well being
should be a main area of focus. Before the storm, ensure that those affected get to safety
and make other preparations. Keep in touch with them during and after the storm and
provide humanitarian assistance if needed, including guidance on how they can manage
their own insurance claims.
 THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON THE FREQUENCY OF TROPICAL
CYCLONES
Climate change may affect tropical cyclones in a variety of ways: an intensification of rainfall
and wind speed, a decrease in overall frequency an increase in frequency of very intense
storms and a poleward extension of where the cyclones reach maximum intensity are
among the possible consequences of human induced.
It is likely that some increase in tropical cyclone peak wind speed and rainfall will occur if
the occur if the climate continues to warm …if the projected rise in the sea level due to
global warming occurs, then the vulnerability to tropical cyclone storm surge flooding would
increase. Global warming is causing global mean sea level to rise in two ways. First, glaciers
and ice sheets worldwide are melting and adding water to the ocean. Second, the volume of
the ocean is expanding as the water warms

CONCLUSION:
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. I learnt that strong
winds could damage buildings and infrastructures, while rain and storm surges can lead to
flooding. Other risks include landslides, mudslides, and coastal erosion. It’s not just the
event itself that is damaging, the after effect of cyclones can cause widespread chaos as
people have to rebuild their lives.
CYCLONE FLORENCE CROSS SECTION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/2018-hurricane-
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https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutshws.php
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