Part Two: What Natural Hazards Affect Areas of Population Growth in Florida

Name: ______Date: ______

What Natural Hazards Affect Areas of Population Growth in Florida?

Materials Needed

 Activity 2.1 Handout. Change in population of Florida Counties  Activity 2.2 Handout. Population density and median household income of Florida Counties  Activity 2.3 Handout. Domestic and International migration into Florida Counties  Reading: "In Harm's Way" (Population Reference Bureau, 2004)  Reading: "The United States Hurricane Problem" (NOAA) www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/usahp.html  Computers with Internet access  Handout 4. Blank Map of Florida and the Caribbean Basin (PDF: 28KB)  Colored pencils  Handout 5. "Population Change in Florida, 1920-1990" (PDF: 16KB)  Handout 6. "Danger from Hurricanes" (PDF: 49KB)

Instructions

1. Look at Activity 2.1 Handout. What population changes in Florida occurred during 1960- 1980 and in what primary regions did they occur? How about from 1980-2000?

2. Look at Activity 2.2 Handout. What regions of Florida had the highest population density and the highest median income?

3. Look at Activity 2.3 Handout. What regions of Florida counties experienced the highest increase of immigration?

4. Read: "In Harms Way "(PRB) and "The United States Hurricane Problem" (NOAA).

5. Go to the Unisys Weather website at http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/2004/index.html. Look at the map of tropical storm tracks in 2004 and identify storm tracks relative to areas of population growth in Florida (see handouts above). 6. Evaluate historical storm tracks for tropical storms and hurricanes for five randomly selected years at http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/index.html . Using a different color for each year selected, sketch and identify (name/date) the tracks of tropical storms on the attached map.

7. What areas of Florida are most at risk? What populations (based in median income)? Explain how short–term responses and long-term needs might differ according to the affected population (Think about Hurricane Katrina).

8. Examine the table and graph in Handout 5. In this case changing population density is a good indicator of where population growth in Florida occurred from 1920 to 1990. Describe the patterns reflected in the table and graph. How does this data relate to the maps considered above (2.1 – 2.3)? What does this suggest about risk of loss of life and property in Florida?

9. Go to the website of the National Hurricane Center at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/history/ and http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastdead.html . Identify the top three deadliest and most costly storms affecting the U.S. during the past century. Why might some storms be deadlier or costlier than others?

10. Evaluate the graphs and text in Handout 6 "Danger from Hurricanes." Why did property loss associated with tropical storms increase so dramatically during the 20th century? In contrast, why did loss of life decline? 11. Briefly summarize the patterns observed in the maps, graphs, and data examined in this activity. What general trends were observed (demographic, economic, climatic)? Why might people choose to migrate to a place at risk of natural hazards?

12. Write your opinion for the following questions:

 Given the risk of future tropical storms and the increasing costs associated with property loss and rebuilding along Florida's coastlines, should private and government insurance programs continue to cover such losses? Should people be allowed to rebuild in areas of high risk? Explain your answers and give examples for support