Unit 5 Discussion Hello Class,
The natural imbalances that might affect my region include: tornados, earthquakes, sinkholes, flooding, drought, hurricanes, and wildfire, and hail storms. At least one of these natural imbalances affects Texas every year (NASA, 2017). Texas is ranked number one in the United States in the variety and occurrence of natural disasters. Tornados occur throughout the year because of the projection of “Tornado Alley” reaches the interior parts of Texas. During the spring and fall, Texas can experience hurricanes, whereas high temperatures in the summer cause conditions that result in severe droughts and wildfires.
Geologically, Texas has sedimentary rocks and salt domes that harbor treasured oil and gas deposits. The sedimentary rocks and salt domes render the area to be susceptible to sinkholes. The region is also seismically active as a result of the gas and liquid production, which increases the incidence of earthquakes (NASA, 2017). Some parts of Texas, such as Houston, are prone to flooding due to the fairy low-lying coastal plains and clay-based soils which hamper drainage.
An example of a natural disaster in Texas is a category 4 storm, Hurricane Harvey, that occurred in 2017 Amadeo (2019). The storm affected approximately 13 million people in Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. It caused a torrential downpour that resulted in floods which made people to migrate from their homes and to various shelters and hotel rooms. Hurricane Harvey destroyed over 204 000 households and led to the closure of 275 schools due to flooding. Amadeo (2019) documents that over 1 million vehicles were damaged in the Gulf area. The government approved $15.25 million as a federal aid package in storm aid.
According to the CDC (2020), hurricanes are destructive since they cause heavy rains, flooding, and high winds. Hurricanes not only affect people dwelling in the coastal area; therefore, everyone requires being prepared. First of all, one needs a plan: write down emergency numbers, identify pet shelters, have an emergency supply kit, and find out the nearest shelter. Secondly, put together emergency supplies such as medical supply, food and water, safety items, and power sources. Thirdly, listen for the weather alerts on the radio or TV or check for them on online platforms. Additionally, you require getting your car ready by filling the gas tank and moving it to an undercover or garaging. Finally, get your home ready to stay of evacuate depending on the intensity of the hurricane.
When I compare Texas with Missouri, where one of my classmates comes from, I find out Missouri is located in a Tornado Alley (NASA, 2020). Due to this reason, Missouri and Texas experience tornadoes. Missouri also experiences floods as in Texas due to the presence of clay soils that thwart drainage. For instance, in 2015, flooding causes approximately 50 deaths, of which 80% were in vehicles. Disaster preparedness and rescue efforts are similar.
Buyere et al. (2017) carried out a state of art modeling to examine the likely effects of climate change on the Gulf of Mexico hurricane’s frequency and intensity. In their first simulation, they found out that there is a slight reduction in the intensity and frequency and hurricanes. In their second simulation, they found out that the characteristics of hurricanes in the future are estimated to have similar speeds and sizes to the current hurricanes.