29 Continued from previous page particular location. In Hurricane Hugo in Montserrat in 1989, I can recall my ears “popped” near the time of the passage of the eye of the storm. INDIRECT EFFECTS OF WIND DAMAGE The indirect effects of hurricanes can be thought of as both a companion to and largely a consequence of the direct effects. The force of the wind can topple huge trees. When those trees fall, if they fall on a house or vehicle, they can do great damage. Sadly, there have been cases where people have been killed when trees fall on houses and vehicles. (Photo by Franklyn Michael) relevant, modernised, laws and regulations The training that is formally provided in construction methods should be standardised to ensure the acquisition of skills and techniques related to hazards One of the most dramatic features of a major hurricane is the nature and extent of flying debris. Debris driven by hurricane force winds can do extensive damage. Portions of roofs, tree branches, garbage cans, outdoor furniture and construction debris can become truly lethal missiles on the winds of a major hurricane. One of the ways in which major hurricanes create indirect damage is through the impact of “horizontal rain”. If you have not experienced it, you might find it hard to believe. The force of the winds is enough to send the rain forward parallel with the ground. Most buildings, especially houses are designed for normal rain that falls vertically; horizontal rain can cause extensive interior flooding. CREATING RESILIENCE TO WINDS Countries should have cohesive policies for Disaster Risk Reduction in relation to all hazards particularly land zoning and physical planning All our member states should work to create or revise their building codes and ensure that the appropriate resistance requirements for wind damage are included along with provisions for all major hazards Rigorous standards should be introduced and maintained for construction materials to promote resistance to all hurricane hazards. The standards should be backed up with The mechanisms that are used for building inspection should be vigorously implemented in all sectors It is important that we accept hurricanes as a part of the reality of Caribbean life that requires human behavioural change to promote higher levels of resilience. Experts in some quarters are predicting that hurricanes might become more powerful in the years ahead. Should that forecast prove to be accurate then we must bear the following in mind. In hurricanes, the wind force increases exponentially. This means that in a hurricane that is twenty five miles per hour (25 mph) stronger, the force of the winds will be seventy three per cent (73%) greater. THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON WIND SCALE The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however, and require preventative measures. In the western North Pacific, the term "super typhoon" is used for tropical cyclones with sustained winds exceeding 150 mph. Note that all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average. SOURCE: Quoted directly from the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) https://www.weather.gov/mfl/saffirsimpson Continues on next page
30 Publizr Home