Read: Chapter 5 (p.108).
Review http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats.shtml.Compare and contrast the different tabs located on the left-hand side. Include an in-depth analysis of the weather emergencies that have contributed to the most fatalities. Why do you think some weather emergencies cause greater mortality than others? Also include your analysis of the disparity between the 10, 30, and 2021 averages? What do you associate with the increase or decrease in this phenomenon? Lastly, discuss:
(1) costs incurred by different weather emergency (2021) (2) cost discrepancy amongst states (2021) (3) injury discrepancy amongst states (2021) Why the differences? Discuss if the availability/use of technology could be the answer?
Sample Solution
Chapter 5 of NOAA’s Weather-Ready Nation initiative focuses on hazard statistics. The website provides a comprehensive overview of the major types of weather hazards and the associated fatalities, injuries, and economic losses from such incidents. On the left-hand side of the webpage there are five tabs: ‘Weather Hazards’, ‘Fatalities & Injuries Tab’, ‘Economic Losses Tab’, ‘2021 Annual Average Fatalities & Injuries Tab’, and ‘2021 Annual Average Economic Losses Tab’.
Sample Solution
Chapter 5 of NOAA’s Weather-Ready Nation initiative focuses on hazard statistics. The website provides a comprehensive overview of the major types of weather hazards and the associated fatalities, injuries, and economic losses from such incidents. On the left-hand side of the webpage there are five tabs: ‘Weather Hazards’, ‘Fatalities & Injuries Tab’, ‘Economic Losses Tab’, ‘2021 Annual Average Fatalities & Injuries Tab’, and ‘2021 Annual Average Economic Losses Tab’.
The most deadly weather emergencies that have contributed to fatalities are floods (1882), hurricanes (1744), tornadoes (990), lightning strikes (611) and winter storms (609). Each type of weather emergency brings its own set of dangerous conditions which can cause greater mortality than others depending on their magnitude. For example floods can bring severe flooding due to heavy rain or rapid snow melt which can result in more fatalities than other disasters like hurricanes because it is difficult to escape quickly when water levels rise suddenly; whereas with hurricanes people usually get advanced warning in time for them to evacuate safely if necessary.
In looking at 2021 average tab we see a decrease in all categories except for extreme temperatures where there has been an increase compared to previous years. This could be attributed to human activity as well as climate change leading to higher temperatures around the world because it exacerbates extreme heat events making them hotter and longer lasting than before.
The cost incurred by different weather emergencies in 2021 vary greatly depending on location however generally speaking thunderstorms are among the highest followed closely by tropical cyclones/hurricanes with both costing over $500 billion dollars combined while hailstorms come third at $210 billion dollars collectively worldwide according top estimates presented here on this page. Additionally costs also differ between states with California having one of the highest overall numbers due largely in part tornado damage caused during 2020 ($1 Billion USD). While injury discrepancy amongst states don’t vary much; although Florida had one of the highest totals for hurricane related injuries with over 4100 reported incidences according data presented here during 2021 year alone.
Technology plays an important role when it comes to mitigating against some natural disasters because early warnings systems help communities prepare themselves better allowing them ample time make necessary provisions before disaster strikes; thus helping reduce casualties significantly compared if these tools weren’t available or utilized properly .
