1. To what extent was Meteo France correct in its prediction of the effects of Hurricane
Xynthia? Outline the effects including damage of property and loss of life. How were the
populations warned?
Hurricanes are natural hazards that claim the lives of many people worldwide every year
and cause $billions in damage to property and livelihood.
Hurricanes themselves are more commonly associated with the USA and Caribbean
regions of the Atlantic Ocean. Every year a number of hurricanes slam into the south
eastern coastline of the USA leaving a trail of devastation and destruction in their path.
The most notable of these was Hurricane Katrina in 2007. The western coast of Europe
only rarely experiences storms on the official level of a hurricane but in February 2010, a
storm force depression hit Portugal, Spain and France with hurricane force winds and left
a trail of damage and fatalities not seen in this part of the world since 1999.
Storm classification indicates that when wind speed exceed 110 km per hr, a hurricane
warning should be issued for a severe weather event.