Author Question: With todays technology, do you think a tropical cyclone could cause a disaster of this magnitude ... (Read 59 times)

skymedlock · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

With todays technology, do you think a tropical cyclone could cause a
disaster of this magnitude anywhere around the world? Explain. What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

If this hurricane struck Galveston Island today, would it have the same
destructive eff ect? Explain. What will be an ideal response?

chjcharjto14 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Modern satellites and better understanding of tropical cyclone behavior make it unlikely
that a tropical cyclone would catch a coastal area completely off guard. Even in poorer
areas, warning and evacuation should signifi cantly minimize loss of life. However, many
coastal areas do not have the economic resources to build seawalls and other measures
to prevent property damage from tropical cyclones. Further, in poorer areas, people may
not have the resources to evacuate themselves.

Answer to Question 2

No. Fewer lives would be lost because of earlier warnings and more eff ective evacuation
of the island. Since the 1900 disaster, a seawall has been built and the land behind it has
been built up to a level higher than the storms maximum surge height.