THE 5 MAIN CONSEQUENCES OF HURRICANES - SCIENCE - 2026

Some of the consequences of the most important hurricanes are strong winds, torrential rains, waves and storm surges and the interruption of activities.

Hurricanes are natural atmospheric phenomena, usually with devastating consequences, caused by strong winds from the tropical seas and oceans.

“Huracan F5” by byourself_4 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Those winds transform into violent storms that rotate in great circles in the form of a vortex around a central axis, with speeds exceeding 119 kilometers per hour.

The word hurricane comes from the word hurricane with which the Mayan and Carib Indians used to call the god of storms and devilish spirits, as reflected in the Popol Vuh.

They associated it directly with the severe and catastrophic damage that they leave behind, although this phenomenon is also known by other names such as cyclone, typhoon, among others.

Effects and consequences of hurricanes

Hurricanes are natural phenomena that have always been present, however, the rapid growth of the population, pollution and deterioration of the environment, have contributed to turn these phenomena into disasters of great magnitude causing great loss of human life, infrastructure and material goods.

The physical impact of a hurricane has various secondary effects and consequences, such as:

1 - Winds

Damage caused by the wind varies according to the intensity of the storms and can cause tornadoes and ferocious air currents, which destroy, lift and carry water, dust, mud, trees, heavy objects and debris causing human and material damage.

For example, buildings could experience terrible damage or be completely destroyed; and people could be killed by crushing and severe cuts, among others.

2 - Rains

The torrential, intense, abundant and continuous rains, which persist even after the passage of the hurricane, cause floods and landslides, with fatal consequences, as well as damage to property and material goods.

3 - Swells and swells

The tide rises with strong waves and swells that can become quite dangerous in coastal areas and destroy boats.

4 - Interruption of activities

Hurricanes generate a physical, economic and social impact that begins from the first moment in which the possible threat is announced, with a riot of nervous purchases that cause shortages of basic necessities.

Then, as the phenomenon approaches, interruptions of daily life in the region occur, with suspension of industrial, commercial and public service activities, such as transportation and electricity, among others.

Furthermore, if the risk of disaster warrants evacuation, massive displacements and vehicle jams will occur.

5 - Injuries, victims and post-hurricane damage

Once the hurricane retreats or dissipates, it leaves serious consequences of destruction and desolation after its passage, with deaths and millionaire losses; but the damage does not end there.

Those that people can suffer disability or death as a result of the injuries suffered during the phenomenon or begin to suffer diseases caused, generally, by water pollution and food shortages.

There are also many affected people who have lost their homes and must be relocated. Reconstruction and return to normalcy can take many months.

References

1. Eric Berger. (2012). WHAT WOULD BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF A STRONG HURRICANE? Houston Chronicle. La Voz (Spanish). Retrieved September 15, 2017 from: chron.com
2. Guatemala in 360 degrees. (2004). THE ORIGIN OF THE WORD "HURRICANE". My Guatemala Blog. Guate360. Retrieved September 15, 2017 from: guate360.com
3. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. UNISDR. (YEAR). HURRICANES. ABC Disasters. Regional Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). Retrieved September 15, 2017 from: eird.org
4. National Organization for Maritime Rescue and Safety of Aquatic Spaces. ONSA. (2015). HURRICANE SEASON. Directorate of Meteorology and Oceanography (DMO). ONSA AC Retrieved on September 15, 2017 from: onsa.org.ve
5. Sarah Romero (2017). THE MOST DEVASTATING HURRICANES IN HISTORY. Very Interesting Magazine. Extracted on September 15, 2017 from: muyinteresante.es