Hurricanes are some of the most dangerous examples of the force that nature can unleash on human settlements. Hurricane Dorian recently topped out with sustained winds that reached as high as 185 mph. The brunt of the storm hit the Bahamas and did a great deal of damage. Florida and other parts of the Eastern US coastline saw some of the ramifications of the storm, but they did not see as much damage as the Bahamas.
Part of the reason the Bahamas endured so much damage was related to the speed of the storm. Because the prevailing winds that tend to steer hurricanes broke down as the storm reached the Bahamas, the storm basically stalled out as it buffeted the islands. At one point, the storm’s center was only moving at a speed of 1 mph. This led to many hours of intense wind and rain, and the ferocity of the storm led to at least 44 deaths in the Bahamas.
One of the biggest problems that can come with hurricanes is the damage that these massive storms can cause to important infrastructure in the areas that lie along their paths. The speed of the winds and the speed with which the storms move can greatly affect the amount of damage that these storms are able to inflict.
Electric grids can sustain extensive damage from hurricanes. Some cities have been without power for weeks or months. Puerto Rico experienced massive damage from Hurricane Maria in 2018, and it took the island 11 months before its entire power grid was back online. Therefore, US citizens who inhabit the island were nearly a year without one of the hallmarks of modern civilization.
The storm surge that can accompany the biggest and most-powerful storms can lead to massive damage to other important pieces of infrastructure as well. Coastal roadways can see massive erosion as the storm surge eats away at their foundation. Additionally, the storm surge from these storms can damage airport runways and terminals as they buffet airports that are closest to the coastline. Sewage treatment and water purification facilities can also see severe damage resulting from hurricanes. The storm surge can run into these facilities and make it difficult for workers to keep up with the demand for freshwater. When electricity is lost for a lengthy period of time, it can be near impossible to keep water treatment plants in operation.
As roads can become impassable during a hurricane, freshwater can come at a premium. This is why there are usually several complaints related to price gouging when a major hurricane hits an urban area. Seaports are a major piece of infrastructure that many people would not think of when it comes to hurricane damage. These ports can be close to oil refineries, and they are also used for getting products in and out of coastal areas. During the aftermath of a major storm, it can be difficult to meet the demand for items that pass through the affected ports. This can cause the cost of needed goods like gasoline to rise. Hurricanes can lead to major disruptions to urban areas because of the damage they cause to important infrastructure.
