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Natural
disasters each year claim millions of human lives and cause billions of dollars
in damage around the globe. From monsoons in Asia, to earthquakes in Japan and
California , to volcanic eruptions in Montserrat , almost nowhere on the planet
is not at some time threatened by an Act of God (as these events are referred to
in the insurance industry). Due to the fact that these occurrences are often
unavoidable (and sometimes unpredictable), the only way to minimize damage and
loss of life is to understand the frequency of these incidents in your area,
then to subsequently make yourself aware of the dangers involved and what can be
done to contain or reduce the risks of injury and damage. To this end, Sunday 6th
October has been declared the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction,
and it is the hope of the Biological Society that this BioClip will serve to
increase your general knowledge on this topic.
Here
in the Caribbean, we face the risk of many disastrous natural events. Every year
there are reports of deaths and destruction from along the island chain from
differing catastrophes. The following will address the causes and dangers of the
most common occurrences in the Caribbean, as well as how we can prepare
ourselves. HURRICANES
& TROPICAL STORMS
The
hurricane season extends from June 1st
to November 30th in
the Atlantic Ocean. These are powerful storms with high winds and diving rain
which develop in the warm waters off the west coast of Africa. Hurricanes began
first as tropical depressions, which are low-pressure areas with heavy rains and
some wind. When the wind begins to noticeably rotate around the centre and
speeds increase to around 39 miles per hour (mph), it has become a tropical
storm and is given a name (it is here that the storm acquires its characteristic
spiral pattern). If further strengthening of winds continues (up to74 mph), the
storm eventually becomes a hurricane. Hurricanes are further subdivided into
categories (I-V) depending on windspeed and therefore destructive potential.
The Caribbean lies directly along the path that the prevailing winds
would take any storm created, and so our islands are at very high risk of
hurricane damage. So far, Trinidad & Tobago has been very lucky, with the
last major hurricane hit being in the 1960s (Flora), but other islands such as
Barbados and St. Lucia know all too well the havoc these phenomena can create.
High winds can tear off roofs, uproot trees, and turn even heavy objects like
satellite dishes into projectiles. Torrential rains almost always cause flooding
as natural and man-made drainage systems become overwhelmed by blockages or by
sheer water volume. Areas close to the coast also have to worry about storm
surges, which are essentially waves pushed forward by the gale force winds from
the hurricane. Storm surges can swamp coastal areas hours before the hurricane
itself makes landfall.
Unlike most other natural disasters, hurricanes can be predicted and
their path plotted by meteorologists. This means that a few days warning can be
given before one strikes an area; usually enough time to get prepared. Certain
items are essential to have, such as a good supply of clean water for each house
member, bleach and/or other water purifiers (e.g. iodine tabs), canned
(non-perishable) foods, a first aid kit, batteries, a radio, flashlights, as
well as candles and matches. In addition, the home and its surroundings should
also be prepared by moving or bolting down objects that may become airborne in
the winds, covering or taping the window-panes (to protect them from shattering
if struck), and ensuring any animals are safe indoors. When the storm hits, stay
indoors unless you are in immediate danger, and only come out when advised
it is safe to do so. Afterwards, assess damage to your property and treat any
minor injuries yourself. Do not needlessly call emergency services for
minor matters, and don’t go sightseeing as you may hamper emergency personnel.
Also be wary of lighting matches indoors as there may be gas leaks. Earthquakes
The
surface of the Earth consists of a series of rocky plates of varying sizes
floating on an ocean of liquid magma. Just like in the sea, this magma ocean has
currents which can move the plates in different directions (albeit very slowly,
usually a few centimetres per year). At areas known as fault lines,
crustal plates meet each other; here, one plate may go over or under another, or
slide alongside it, creating different fault types. However, keep in mind these
plates are made of rock, and don’t slide over, under or past each other very
well; most times, the plates ‘stick’. Over time pressure builds up, and then
quite suddenly the plates can slide past each other rapidly, releasing huge
amounts of energy as a vibration felt as an earthquake. Quakes are most commonly
measured via the Richter scale, being assigned a magnitude usually between 1-10.
Trinidad lies near to a fault line, where the relatively tiny Caribbean
plate meets the much larger American plate, and as such we are potentially prone
to quakes. Luckily for us, almost all of the quakes felt so far have been
relatively minor. This, however, does not mean that we have no reason to prepare
for the worst. Since earthquakes strike with relatively little warning, knowing
what should be done could one day save your life. When the ground begins to
shake, above all stay calm; panic can cloud your judgment. Unless you are
in immediate danger, stay where you are, whether indoors or out. Inside,
get away from windows and other things that may shatter, and try to protect you
head, neck and back by going under a sturdy table or desk. If that is not
possible stand in a strong doorway and hold on! Outdoors, move to as open as
area as you can and ride out the quake sitting down on the ground. Most quakes
last only a few seconds, though it may seem much longer. Afterwards, check
people for injuries and treat with first aid where possible (again, do not call
for help unnecessarily), and check the structural integrity of buildings and
other structures nearby for possible collapse. Evacuate only if you are in
danger of injury. Volcanoes
Most
people in the Caribbean did not think about this danger until Soufrière in
Montserrat became active again. Almost all of us would have seen how the volcano
dumped tonnes of ash and lava, destroying almost every man-made structure on the
island. Many of us may not know that many other islands including Martinique,
St. Vincent, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Grenada all have volcanoes as well. St.
Lucia is partially volcanic as well, and one of the island’s tourist
attractions (the Pitons) are actually the remnants of the ancient volcanic
crater.
Volcanoes are formed along fault lines where the crustal plates of the
Earth become cracked, allowing magma from the mantle below to reach up to the
surface. They are termed active (recent and/or continuing activity), dormant (no
activity in recent times) or extinct (not expected to ever become active again);
most Caribbean volcanoes are dormant. Since Trinidad & Tobago do not have
volcanoes, we have been spared the need for preparation for things such as lava
flows and explosions. However, the Grenadian volcano, Kick ‘em Jenny’, does
pose a threat to our North Coast. This active volcano is submerged off the
northeast coast of Grenada and may one day breach the water’s surface to
become a new island. If this happens suddenly, or if the volcano violently
erupts, tsunamis (incorrectly known as tidal waves) will buffet our coastlines.
Since there is no way to prevent these occurrences, all that can be done is to
be aware of the danger and to be prepared to evacuate at very short notice if
the need arises. This entails knowing where emergency items are, and where is
safe to run to if your area is threatened. Thanks to modern equipment, warnings
of eruptions and activity can be issued several hours in advance to allow for
orderly preparation or evacuation.
While
these are the main dangers faced by our islands, there are others such as
flooding and fires which also can cause serious damage and loss of life. There
is no way that this clip can ever list all the dangers and necessary precautions
that may be taken for your and your family’s safety. Some things such as a
first aid kit and disaster supplies should be kept ready at all times; a good
listing of what should be kept around is in the front section of this year’s
TSTT directory. Also listed there are emergency numbers and information on what
to do before, during and after specific events. It is also advisable to know
where emergency shelters are located (most secondary schools and the ‘Big 6’
cinemas are disaster shelters). Knowledge is often our only weapon, so it is
advised that you understand what you can do to minimize the danger posed by
these disasters. A check of our local disaster management agency NEMA’s
website (http://www.nema.gov.tt/) should
also be informative. 1
Some names have been retired because of historic significance; there won’t be
another Hurricane Gilbert, Hugo or Andrew.
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