Hurricanes in The Caribbean

What is a hurricane?
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone with winds that exceed 74 mph (120km/h). They rotate
counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
Clockwise Rotation Counter(Anti) Clockwise

Formation of Hurricanes
Tropical cyclones typically develop during the months of June to November which is a
period known as the hurricane season. In order for tropical cyclogenesis to occur, favourable
conditions must be present which include:
- Warm sea surface temperatures (26 deg C +)

- Low vertical wind shear
- Little to no land interaction
- Moist atmosphere
Formation of Hurricanes cont’d
Once the aforementioned conditions are in abundance, there is a great chance of a
hurricane developing.
- The heat energy from the warm sea/ocean surface will evaporate and rise. As it
increases in altitude, the air is cooler, thus resulting in cooling and
condensation of the vapor.
- Clouds develop and an area of low pressure forms beneath them. Since air
travels from a region of high to low pressure, cool air from high pressure
regions will move in to replace the warm air as it rises. Inevitably, the cool air
will warm once in that region and then it will rise and the cycle goes on.
Formation of Hurricanes cont’d
- Overtime, the storm system will get stronger as it is fueled by more and more
moisture.
- Once strong enough, an eye will begin to develop, usually in hurricanes. The eye
possesses calm weather while the area around the eye known as the eyewall has the
strongest winds in the cyclone.
The scale that is used to determine the intensity of a tropical cyclone is known as the
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS). It ranges from a tropical depression to a
category 5 hurricane.
Diagram showing the formation of a hurricane
Diagram of the SSHWS
Where do hurricanes usually trod during the peak of the
season?
Why do hurricanes rotate the way they do?
Tropical cyclones usually originate from the east and intensify as they head westward or
northwestward once favourable conditions persist. While intensifying, they start to
possess a counter-clockwise rotation. The reason for this rotation is the coriolis effect. The
coriolis effect is a phenomenon that occurs as a result of the Earth’s rotation. In the
northern hemisphere, moving air particles and even wind itself is deflected to the right,
while in the southern hemisphere, they deflect to the left.
Diagram depicting the Coriolis Effect
Diagram Depicting the Coriolis Effect
Impact of Hurricanes - Physical
During a hurricane the physical damage to life and property may be quiet extensive
and devastating for a country as a hurricane in a matter of days can wipe out an
entire country what was once built to perfection. Some of the physical damage that a
hurricane can and will cause are:
● Destruction of property
● Damage to farm lands
● Loss of livestock
● Loss of lives
● Loss of water supply
● Loss of electricity
With a hurricane also comes a multitude of physical factors that can attribute to the
damage and loss aforementioned. These may be seen as the physical properties of a
hurricane. Hurricanes in their hunt to destroy, packs with it its essentials. These
essentials being:
● Strong Winds
● Heavy Torrential Rains
● Flooding
● Storm Surges
An example that can be examined that utilises all of the properties of a hurricane and
that has cause an extensive amount of damage in the Hurricane Gilbert of
September 1988 that slammed onto the island of Jamaica. Gilbert was by far one of
the worst hurricanes to hit jamaica. This hurricane with winds of up to 75-127 miles
per hour now seen a category 5 covered the entire island taking with it up to 35
people. Additionally, this hurricane had an eye that spanned up to 15 miles and took
more than 100,000 houses leaving individuals homeless. In this same hurricane up
to 90% of health buildings were damaged, it took many months for electricity, water
supply and telephone services to come back up to power. Furthermore floods ruined
roads, houses and took lives and livestock leaving the country in one of their most
devastating times to ever be recorded.
Impact of Hurricanes - Economic
When hurricanes make landfall, especially at a major intensity, the aftermath can be
extremely devastating and lasting. The strong winds of the cyclone will likely result in
buildings and structures being damaged as well as resources, thus taking a significant toll on a
country’s economy. Many countries in the Caribbean such as Jamaica depend on economic
activities including agriculture and tourism in order to earn foreign exchange. When a
hurricane makes landfall, there can be a significant loss as the country’s resources are either
damaged or destroyed.
Hurricane Ivan in 2004 resulted in widespread destruction across the Caribbean as countries
such as Grenada and Jamaica which suffered $1.1B (2004 USD) and $360M (2004 USD) in
damages respectively.
Impact of Hurricanes - Social and Cultural
The majority of Atlantic and Caribbean hurricanes strike between June and November and
are known to have serious social and cultural consequences.
Death, community disruption, illness, homelessness, and trauma are examples of social
consequences. Various types of illnesses can follow in the aftermath hurricanes. An example
of this is in a book written by Steven Schwartz about a 1685 hurricane that resulted in over
900 people dying from a plague due to their weakened immune systems from hunger. The
loss of life is one of the most serious social consequences of hurricanes. During Hurricane
Jeane's passage through Haiti in 2004, approximately 325mm of rain fell, resulting in
extensive flooding and the drowning of an estimated 3000 people, while Hurricane Ivan
killed approximately 39 people in Grenada the same year.
Community disruption has always been a social impact of hurricanes. It compels people
to flee their homes, and it causes internal migration, in which people must leave their homes
and seek refuge in an emergency shelter. This could be extremely difficult for them because
they would have to leave their loved ones behind.
Impact of Hurricanes - Social and Cultural Cont’d
Trauma is also a social consequence of hurricanes. The storm's power, lost homes and
possessions, and a devastated country are all powerful emotional shocks. Time would be
required to recover emotionally, and in some cases, victims would require counseling. Health
risks are also an effect caused by polluted water, lack of water and food shortage.
Hurricanes have also had a major impact on the culture of Caribbean people:
● Loss of important cultural artifacts, monuments, and heritage sites.

● Creation of interesting landmarks.
● Cultural diffusion as persons migrate from disaster-affected areas.
● Heightened awareness of events/ hazards as seen in drills and media programmes for
education.
● Changes in architecture and settlement patterns.
● Use of non-electronic devices and activities for recreation.
Mitigating the Effects caused by Hurricanes
When hurricanes make landfall and devastate various islands in the Caribbean, there are
National Disaster Offices that will respond to the crisis. The National and regional response is
coordinated with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
The main function of the agency is “to make an immediate and coordinated response to any
disastrous event affecting any member-state of CARICOM, once that state requires such
assistance.” Humanitarian aid is provided to countries in the case of a major disaster. For
example: In September of 2019 when Hurricane Dorian brought unrelenting impacts to the
Bahamas, funds were raised for relief efforts in the region.
Each member of CARICOM has an agency of CDEMA. For example: In Jamaica, there is the
ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management) and the Department
of Emergency Management (DEM) is located in Barbados.
Mitigating the Effects caused by Hurricanes cont’d
The Difference between a hurricane watch and warning
If a hurricane is expected to make landfall within 24-36 hours, a hurricane watch is issued to
warn residents so that they can make the necessary preparations for the anticipated impacts.
Once landfall is 24 hours out or sooner, the hurricane watch will be upgraded to a hurricane
warning and all efforts to protect life and property must be rushed to completion.
California Girls- Katy Perry Remix
I know a place but it always comes close

Ooh oh ooh oh oh ooh
where there is usually hurricanes to the Caribbean coast
These hurricanes
warm, wet and wild there’s a season for it
they are they're unforgettable
That's how it forms in the waters and it's coming in force
Irma, katrina
Increasing heat levels Ooh oh ooh oh oh ooh
Jeanne and gilbert
will rise and evaporate These hurricanes
so many more
(evaporate) they are they're unforgettable
can’t count
then clouds Irma, Katrina
but they’re unstoppable
develop Jeanne and Gilbert
Ooh oh ooh oh oh ooh
and the cycle will continue so many more
(continue) can’t count
You could try and predict but they’re unstoppable

References
NOAA. (May 13, 2021). How do hurricanes form? Retrieved September 9, 2022, from
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/how-hurricanes-form.html
CARICOM. Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Retrieved September 25, 2022, from
https://caricom.org/institutions/caribbean-disaster-emergency-management-agency-cdema/
Whitney, M. (2022, August 19). Social and Economic Impacts of Hurricanes on the Caribbean Essay
Example. GraduateWay. Retrieved September 25, 2022, from
https://graduateway.com/social-and-economic-impacts-of-hurricanes-on-the-caribbean/
undefined [RLF Publications]. (2020, October 27). CAPE Caribbean Studies - Lesson 5 - Impact of
Geographical Phenomena. YouTube. Retrieved September 25, 2022, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7V2AOYVOhg

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What is a hurricane?

Clockwise Rotation Counter(Anti) Clockwise

- Warm sea surface temperatures (26 deg C +)

● Loss of important cultural artifacts, monuments, and heritage sites.

I know a place but it always comes close

(continue) can’t count

You could try and predict but they’re unstoppable

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