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Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian formed over the central Caribbean Sea late Friday, September 23, 2022, as a tropical storm, the ninth tropical storm of the 2022 season.

The path of Hurricane Ian

The hurricane barrelled through Cuba on Tuesday, 27th September 2022, and much of the island was left without power. The country was already suffering from a dire economic crisis with regular power outages and shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Those challenges will likely make it more difficult for residents to recover from Hurricane Ian.

Satellite images captured lightning bolts surrounding Hurricane Ian’s eye as it travelled across Cuba and towards Florida.

Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the U.S. in decades, made landfall on Wednesday 28th September 2022, in southwest Florida with devastating winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and a life-threatening storm surge that submerged city streets, vehicles, and homes along the state’s Gulf Coast. As Hurricane Ian approached Florida, it gained energy and developed from a category three to a category four hurricane.

The hurricane made landfall along the southern portion of Florida’s Gulf Coast shortly after 2 pm local time on Wednesday 28th September 2022. Hurricane Ian hit Florida’s coast on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, causing a dramatic storm surge in the area, which was under an evacuation order.

Satellite image of Hurricane Ian

The hurricane experienced wind speeds of up to 250km/h (155mph), just shy of the threshold for a category five storm – the strongest classification.

What causes Atlantic hurricanes, and are they getting worse?

What were the primary effects of Hurricane Ian?

• Two people were killed in the hard-hit Cuban province of Pinar del Rio.
• Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 3 storm Tuesday in Cuba, knocking out the electricity grid and leaving the island without power.
• Ian strengthened to a powerful Category 4 storm, bringing severe flooding to Cuba and the Florida Keys.
• At least 85 people have died in the states of Florida and North Carolina.
• More than 700 people were rescued from Charlotte and Lee Counties, the two worst hit areas in Floria.
• Over 2.2 million people in Florida were left without power.
• On Wednesday alone, 1961 flights were cancelled.

Naples beach , in southwest Florida, has seen a storm surge – effectively a wall of water of more than six feet- transforming roads into rivers.

Rare footage from the storm wall shows the storm surge at Fort Myers Beach in Florida.

*RARE* first person view of storm surge. This camera is 6 feet off the ground on Estero Blvd in Fort Myers Beach, FL. Not sure how much longer it keeps working. You’ll see it live only on ⁦ @weatherchannel ⁩ #Ian pic.twitter.com/WwHtvgVxjY — Mike Bettes (@mikebettes) September 28, 2022

A video has emerged online of the roads in Fort Myers Beach in Florida being completely submerged in water on Wednesday morning due to intense flooding.

Currently in Fort Myers, Florida. Video by Loni Architects #flwx #Ian #hurricane pic.twitter.com/8nfncFlG9G — Kaitlin Wright (@wxkaitlin) September 28, 2022

What were the secondary effects of Hurricane Ian?

Around ten thousand people were forced to stay in emergency shelters due to being made homeless by Hurricane Ian.

Road and rail networks across Florida are blocked by debris, making it challenging to provide support and aid to people affected.

What were the immediate responses to Hurricane Ian?

The US National Weather Service issued an extreme wind warning for Englewood, Rotonda and Grove City, near where the eyewall moved onshore, until 14:00 local time (18:00 GMT) on Wednesday 28th September 2022.

A flood warning was announced for east central Florida until 16:00 local time.

The US National Weather Service shared forecasts of the path of the Hurricane on social media.

The forecast path of Hurricane Ian – source National Weather Service

Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, shared preparations for the hurricane via Twitter.

#HurricaneIan is making landfall now. Florida is ready to respond. We have fleets of highwater vehicles, 42,000 linemen, 7,000 National Guardsmen and 179 aircraft prepared to help. — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 28, 2022

Regions outside of the storm’s direct path braced for possible tornadoes. A tornado watch was issued by the US National Weather Service until 17:00 local time (22:00 GMT) for a large area in east central Florida.

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida until 5 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/NEITjMwXIg — NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) September 28, 2022

More than 2.5 million people in Florida were under evacuation orders before the storm hit.

At least 15 hospitals and 40 nursing homes were evacuated.

Tropical storm watches and warnings were issued as the storm approached North and South Carolina.

US President, Joe Biden, issued a disaster declaration for Florida which authorised the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts in all its 100 counties and for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – a federally recognised Indian tribe based in western North Carolina.

The American Red Cross sent more than 1,000 disaster workers to provide shelter and food for the homeless.

What were the long-term responses to Hurricane Ian?

Coming Soon

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Tropical Storms Case Study: Katrina

The effects of hurricane katrina.

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the US states of Mississippi and Louisiana. It was the 3rd deadliest hurricane in American history. New Orleans' flood defenses (levees) broke because they were badly designed, flooding the city.

Primary effects

• 1,836 people are thought to have died.
• 154,522 houses were destroyed between 2005 and 2006.
• The electricity supplies for over 3 million people were cut off. Many people sheltered at the Superdome stadium in New Orleans.
• 80% of New Orleans was flooded with some parts 4.5 metres underwater.
• Coastal habitats were damaged and bridges & infrastructure collapsed.

Secondary effects

• The population of New Orleans fell from 1.386 million to 1.04 million between 2005 and 2006. In 2014, the population was 1.25 million.
• 2,400 businesses in New Orleans closed down or went bankrupt between 2005 and 2006.
• Hundreds of thousands became homeless and sewers overflowed and entered water supplies.
• The estimated total amount of damage was around $125 billion.

The Responses to Hurricane Katrina

The severe effects of Hurricane Katrina were met with both immediate and long-term responses.

Immediate responses

• 1.7 million people were evacuated from the states of Mississippi and Louisiana before the storm struck.
• 20-30% of inhabitants were forced to stay in New Orleans and most of these people were the poorest who could not afford to evacuate.
• Louisiana's National Guard asked for more than 700 buses to evacuate people, however, only 100 buses were sent. States of emergency were declared in Mississippi and Louisiana.
• More than 35,000 people were rescued by the coastguard in New Orleans.
• Charities provided food, water, and aid to those affected.

Long-term responses

• The waters that flooded New Orleans were pumped into Lake Pontchartrain. This took over a month.
• The US Congress (government) allocated $62bn to be spent in aid helping feed and re-house the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
• The US federal and state governments have spent $20 billion rebuilding New Orleans' flood defence systems, with levees, gates, pumps and floodwalls.

1 The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1 Natural Hazards

1.1.1 Types of Natural Hazards

1.1.2 Hazard Risk

1.1.3 Consequences of Natural Hazards

1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Natural Hazards

1.1.5 Exam-Style Questions - Natural Hazards

1.2 Tectonic Hazards

1.2.1 Tectonic Plates

1.2.2 Tectonic Plates & Convection Currents

1.2.3 Plate Margins

1.2.4 Volcanoes

1.2.5 Effects of Volcanoes

1.2.6 Responses to Volcanic Eruptions

1.2.7 Earthquakes

1.2.8 Earthquakes 2

1.2.9 Responses to Earthquakes

1.2.10 Case Studies: The L'Aquila & Kashmir Earthquakes

1.2.11 Earthquake Case Study: Chile 2010

1.2.12 Earthquake Case Study: Nepal 2015

1.2.13 Living with Tectonic Hazards 1

1.2.14 Living with Tectonic Hazards 2

1.2.15 End of Topic Test - Tectonic Hazards

1.2.16 Exam-Style Questions - Tectonic Hazards

1.2.17 Tectonic Hazards - Statistical Skills

1.3 Weather Hazards

1.3.1 Global Atmospheric Circulation

1.3.2 Surface Winds

1.3.3 UK Weather Hazards

1.3.4 Tropical Storms

1.3.5 Features of Tropical Storms

1.3.6 Impact of Tropical Storms 1

1.3.7 Impact of Tropical Storms 2

1.3.8 Tropical Storms Case Study: Katrina

1.3.9 Tropical Storms Case Study: Haiyan

1.3.10 UK Weather Hazards Case Study: Somerset 2014

1.3.11 End of Topic Test - Weather Hazards

1.3.12 Exam-Style Questions - Weather Hazards

1.3.13 Weather Hazards - Statistical Skills

1.4 Climate Change

1.4.1 Evidence for Climate Change

1.4.2 Causes of Climate Change

1.4.3 Effects of Climate Change

1.4.4 Managing Climate Change

1.4.5 End of Topic Test - Climate Change

1.4.6 Exam-Style Questions - Climate Change

1.4.7 Climate Change - Statistical Skills

2 The Living World

2.1 Ecosystems

2.1.1 Ecosystems

2.1.2 Ecosystem Cascades & Global Ecosystems

2.1.3 Ecosystem Case Study: Freshwater Ponds

2.2 Tropical Rainforests

2.2.1 Tropical Rainforests - Intro & Interdependence

2.2.2 Adaptations

2.2.3 Biodiversity of Tropical Rainforests

2.2.4 Deforestation

2.2.5 Case Study: Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

2.2.6 Sustainable Management of Rainforests

2.2.7 Case Study: Malaysian Rainforest

2.2.8 End of Topic Test - Tropical Rainforests

2.2.9 Exam-Style Questions - Tropical Rainforests

2.2.10 Deforestation - Statistical Skills

2.3 Hot Deserts

2.3.1 Overview of Hot Deserts

2.3.2 Biodiversity & Adaptation to Hot Deserts

2.3.3 Case Study: Sahara Desert

2.3.4 Desertification

2.3.5 Case Study: Thar Desert

2.3.6 End of Topic Test - Hot Deserts

2.3.7 Exam-Style Questions - Hot Deserts

2.4 Tundra & Polar Environments

2.4.1 Overview of Cold Environments

2.4.2 Adaptations in Cold Environments

2.4.3 Biodiversity in Cold Environments

2.4.4 Case Study: Alaska

2.4.5 Sustainable Management

2.4.6 Case Study: Svalbard

2.4.7 End of Topic Test - Tundra & Polar Environments

2.4.8 Exam-Style Questions - Cold Environments

3 Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1 The UK Physical Landscape

3.1.1 The UK Physical Landscape

3.2 Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.2.1 Types of Wave

3.2.2 Weathering & Mass Movement

3.2.3 Processes of Erosion & Wave-Cut Platforms

3.2.4 Headlands, Bays, Caves, Arches & Stacks

3.2.5 Transportation

3.2.6 Deposition

3.2.7 Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes

3.2.8 Case Study: Landforms on the Dorset Coast

3.2.9 Types of Coastal Management 1

3.2.10 Types of Coastal Management 2

3.2.11 Coastal Management Case Study - Holderness

3.2.12 Coastal Management Case Study: Swanage

3.2.13 Coastal Management Case Study - Lyme Regis

3.2.14 End of Topic Test - Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.2.15 Exam-Style Questions - Coasts

3.3 River Landscapes in the UK

3.3.1 The River Valley

3.3.2 River Valley Case Study - River Tees

3.3.3 Erosion

3.3.4 Transportation & Deposition

3.3.5 Waterfalls, Gorges & Interlocking Spurs

3.3.6 Meanders & Oxbow Lakes

3.3.7 Floodplains & Levees

3.3.8 Estuaries

3.3.9 Case Study: The River Clyde

3.3.10 River Management

3.3.11 Hard & Soft Flood Defences

3.3.12 River Management Case Study - Boscastle

3.3.13 River Management Case Study - Banbury

3.3.14 End of Topic Test - River Landscapes in the UK

3.3.15 Exam-Style Questions - Rivers

3.4 Glacial Landscapes in the UK

3.4.1 Erosion

3.4.2 Landforms Caused by Erosion

3.4.3 Landforms Caused by Transportation & Deposition

3.4.4 Snowdonia

3.4.5 Land Use in Glaciated Areas

3.4.6 Tourism in Glacial Landscapes

3.4.7 Case Study - Lake District

3.4.8 End of Topic Test - Glacial Landscapes in the UK

3.4.9 Exam-Style Questions - Glacial Landscapes

4 Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1 Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.1 Urbanisation

4.1.2 Urbanisation Case Study: Lagos

4.1.3 Urbanisation Case Study: Rio de Janeiro

4.1.4 UK Cities

4.1.5 Case Study: Urban Regen Projects - Manchester

4.1.6 Case Study: Urban Change in Liverpool

4.1.7 Case Study: Urban Change in Bristol

4.1.8 Sustainable Urban Life

4.1.9 End of Topic Test - Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.10 Exam-Style Questions - Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.11 Urban Issues -Statistical Skills

5 The Changing Economic World

5.1 The Changing Economic World

5.1.1 Measuring Development

5.1.2 Classifying Countries Based on Wealth

5.1.3 The Demographic Transition Model

5.1.4 Physical & Historical Causes of Uneven Development

5.1.5 Economic Causes of Uneven Development

5.1.6 How Can We Reduce the Global Development Gap?

5.1.7 Case Study: Tourism in Kenya

5.1.8 Case Study: Tourism in Jamaica

5.1.9 Case Study: Economic Development in India

5.1.10 Case Study: Aid & Development in India

5.1.11 Case Study: Economic Development in Nigeria

5.1.12 Case Study: Aid & Development in Nigeria

5.1.13 Economic Development in the UK

5.1.14 Economic Development UK: Industry & Rural

5.1.15 Economic Development UK: Transport & North-South

5.1.16 Economic Development UK: Regional & Global

5.1.17 End of Topic Test - The Changing Economic World

5.1.18 Exam-Style Questions - The Changing Economic World

5.1.19 Changing Economic World - Statistical Skills

6 The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1 Resource Management

6.1.1 Global Distribution of Resources

6.1.2 Food in the UK

6.1.3 Water in the UK 1

6.1.4 Water in the UK 2

6.1.5 Energy in the UK

6.1.6 Resource Management - Statistical Skills

6.2.1 Areas of Food Surplus & Food Deficit

6.2.2 Food Supply & Food Insecurity

6.2.3 Increasing Food Supply

6.2.4 Case Study: Thanet Earth

6.2.5 Creating a Sustainable Food Supply

6.2.6 Case Study: Agroforestry in Mali

6.2.7 End of Topic Test - Food

6.2.8 Exam-Style Questions - Food

6.2.9 Food - Statistical Skills

6.3.1 The Global Demand for Water

6.3.2 What Affects the Availability of Water?

6.3.3 Increasing Water Supplies

6.3.4 Case Study: Water Transfer in China

6.3.5 Sustainable Water Supply

6.3.6 Case Study: Kenya's Sand Dams

6.3.7 Case Study: Lesotho Highland Water Project

6.3.8 Case Study: Wakel River Basin Project

6.3.9 Exam-Style Questions - Water

6.3.10 Water - Statistical Skills

6.4.1 Global Demand for Energy

6.4.2 Factors Affecting Energy Supply

6.4.3 Increasing Energy Supply: Renewables

6.4.4 Increasing Energy Supply: Non-Renewables

6.4.5 Carbon Footprints & Energy Conservation

6.4.6 Case Study: Rice Husks in Bihar

6.4.7 Exam-Style Questions - Energy

6.4.8 Energy - Statistical Skills

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Impact of Tropical Storms 2

Tropical Storms Case Study: Haiyan

• Katrina Meteorology and Forecasting
• Katrina Impacts

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HURRICANE SANDY (A-level geography case study) - Coggle Diagram

• 650,000 houses damaged/destroyed in NY+NJ
• 8.5 million businesses and homes without power
• 147 deaths (72 in US)
• NYC marathon cancelled
• $71 billion damage
• Flooded infrastructure further disrupted business
• 10m of beach lost in New Jersey making further erosion more likely
• International trade disruptions due to 18,000 cancelled flights
• Loss of income from cancelled events + reduced tourism
• Psychological damage to those whose friends/family died
• Responses + prep differed between countries (compared to Typhoon Haiyan)
• October 2012
• Most of the deaths were in the Caribbean (esp. Haiti)
• Winds 185km/h
• US is one of the richest countries in the world
• Rebuilding aimed to be more hurricane-proof
• International aid not needed so response faster
• 45,000 army personnel deployed in 7 states
• Many services etc. shut in advance
• 100,000s evacuated beforehand

Impact and Management of Hurricane Sandy

October 2012

The Caribbean (hitting Jamaica, Cuba and Bermuda) and the USA (affecting 24 states)

• Damage in the US estimated at over $63 billion
• Vulnerable Coastline due to:
• Coast from Delaware to Rhode Island is densely populated
• Large areas of expensive coastal property very close to sea level
• Many recreational and tourist resorts with beach front infrastructure such as hotels and amusement parks
• Numerous barrier islands which are unstable, prone to storm surges and wave erosion, and hard to evacuate during rescue phase
• Widespread disruption of transport and utilities in Jamaica.
• Haiti badly affected by flooding and landslides.
• 20,000 airline flights cancelled over the period October 27th-November 1st, 8.6 million power outages. Nearly 600,000 businesses and homes were destroyed.
• At least 286 people were killed either directly or indirectly by Sandy. There were 147 direct deaths: 72 in the USA and the rest mainly in Caribbean, including 54 in Haiti and 11 in Cuba.
• In the USA of the 87 indirect deaths from Sandy, at least 50 were attributable to either falls by the elderly, carbon monoxide poisoning from inadequately ventilated generators and cooking equipment, or hypothermia as a cold snap followed Sandy and extended power outages left people without heating.

Management and Response

Preparations

Caribbean and Bermuda

• October 22nd issued a tropical storm watch
• October 23rd upgraded to a Tropical storm warning
• Many residents stocked up on supplies and reinforced roofing material
• People were urged to take care of their neighbours, especially the elderly, children and disabled
• Schools, government buildings and the airport in Kingston shut down
• Early curfews were put in place to protect residents, properties and to prevent crime

United States

• East Coast attempted to head off long-term power failures by being prepared to repair storm damage and employees working longer hours
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) monitored Sandy
• Flight cancellations put in place
• National Guard and U.S Air Force put as many as 45,000 personnel in at least seven states on alert for possible duty in response to the preparations and aftermath of Sandy
• Florida - Closure and cancellations of activities in schools
• Carolinas - Tropical storm watch was issued. National park service closed at least 5 sections
• Washington, D.C - October 26th declared state of emergency. Metro service, both rail and bus was cancelled on October 29ths due to expected high winds
• Maryland - State of emergency announced October 26th, Residents were evacuated with the assistance of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, 2 shelters were opened. Maryland Transit Administration cancelled all services for October 29th and 30th.

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Hurricane Irma 2017: case study

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Ocean Springs wins annexation case, adds almost 6 square miles to city

What changes have already taken place.

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) - Court documents and Jackson County officials confirmed that Ocean Springs won its annexation case.

On April 5, Judge H. David Clark ruled that “the City of Ocean Springs’ proposed annexation of the additional territory sought in these proceedings is approved in its entirety.”

The city first approved the annexation plan in 2022, but it was soon opposed by Jackson County, the Jackson County Utility Authority (JCUA), and the City of Gautier.

A hearing was first held on March 20, 2024. Prior to the hearing, Ocean Springs entered a settlement agreement with the county and JCUA. Both entities withdrew from the case, with Gautier withdrawing following the settlement.

“The judge was positive about Ocean Springs’ financial conditions to handle annexation and provide those services,” Ocean Springs Mayor Kenny Holloway said.

Ocean Springs now extends the length of Ocean Springs Road to Highway 57, then northward along Old Fort Bayou and beyond I-10.

“The study showed that we had 11 and a half percent vacant and buildable land available in the city limits of Ocean Springs. And that’s extraordinarily low. Normally when a city gets to 45 or 50 percent vacant land they propose annexation,” Holloway said.

The city also acquired portions of land south of Old Spanish Trail, as well as the land occupied by Ocean Springs High School and Ocean Springs Sports Complex.

In all, about 750 residents live in the annexed areas, according to the court.

The annexation does not include Gulf Park Estates or the Saint Andrews communities.

Jackson County Supervisor Randy Bosarge posted a map on Facebook showing the new additions to the city .

The city will extend its sewage and garbage services in those areas with the help of Jackson County Utilities but police and firefighter presence will be provided by the city.

“By statute, we have to provide public safety within 10 days of the decree. So as of 12 am Sunday, we started providing public safety, law enforcement, and fire,” Holloway said.

The documents also state the city stands to gain about $555,000 in ad valorem taxes in the first year. The court noted that the annexed areas generated more than $130,000 in sales taxes in 2022.

Officials estimate the city will gain over $1 million in the next five years from the expanded tax base.

Mayor Holloway says while the process will take time to adjust, he is excited to see the city grow and able to provide more affordable houses to those looking to move to Ocean Springs.

“The city wasn’t growing population-wise because of the constraints we had on our geography so this will give the city some opportunity to grow population-wise also,” Holloway said.

“It’s a supply and demand thing. When you don’t have much supply, the price is higher. So this will give us a supply of available land and we expect that the housing cost will go down.”

The annexation adds almost six square miles to the city.

As for the new areas added to the city, Ocean Springs plans to add dozens of new fire hydrants and increase water pressure. Ocean Springs Fire Department has a level 4 rating, whereas the volunteer county departments are rated 7 and 8.

The city also plans to hire three police officers, purchase new public works vehicles, and add hundreds of streetlights to increase safety.

See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE .

Copyright 2024 WLOX. All rights reserved.

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