Key learning points

1. Tropical storms have significant effects on people and the environment.
2. Tropical storms have primary effects on people and the environment, such as strong winds, heavy rain and storm surges.
3. Tropical storms have secondary effects on people and the environment, such as coastal flooding and landslides.
4. Some countries are more vulnerable to the impacts (physically, socially and economically) of tropical storms.

Keywords

• Storm surge - the rising of the sea as a result of atmospheric pressure changes and wind associated with a storm

• Hazard - a natural or human-made event that poses a threat to people, property or the environment

• Vulnerable - being more susceptible or exposed to the harmful impacts of a natural disaster

• Infrastructure - the basic networks, services and facilities needed for daily life, e.g. roads, utilities, healthcare

Common misconception