2. A tropical storm
Storm warnings
Thanks to modern science, meteorologists
are now usually able to predict tropical
storms early enough so that people in the
storm's path can be warned in advance.
3. If it looks like the storm could be a serious
one, people can take precautions like
boarding up their houses or evacuating
low-lying coastal areas.
4. Thestorm hits
Severe tropical storms plough through the
countryside, leaving a path of
devastation in their wakes.
5. Windslash coastal communities,
uprootingtrees, ripping off roofs and
collapsing buildings in the process. A
storm may abate temporarily as it moves
inland only to regain its fullfury as it hits
open water again.
6. Torrential rains accompanying the storm
swell rivers and the surgingwaters then
overflow river banks, submerging the
surrounding area, andisolating
communities until the flood waters
recede.
7. Rescue work begins
Rescueworkers begin looking forvictims as
soon as the stormsubsides enough to
make it safe for them to do so.
8. They comb the debris for survivors, assist
the injured and, if necessary, dispose of
the bodies of those who perish to prevent
epidemics
9. Emergency hospitals and temporary
morgues are set up. Appeals for blood
donations are made through the media.
10. Casualty tolls and damage estimates The
first statistics concern the number of dead
and injured.
11. In the confused aftermath of a storm,
however, the first casualty tolls are usually
inaccurate, and it may be days, even
weeks before the true figures are known.
The same is true of damage estimates.
12. Future consequences
If there has been serious loss of life and
property, people naturally turn their
attention to how to prevent similar
occurrences in the future.
13. While there is little they can do to prevent
tropical storms, they can minimise their
effects.
14. Warning systems can be improved,
emergency shelters provided, flood walls
built or strengthened, pumps installed,
storm insurance plans introduced, and,
most importantly, people can be
educated on how to deal with disasters
when they happen.
15. When a major storm hits in your area, you
can expect to see stories on each stage
of the sequence outlined above.
16. And if you follow the story over the days
and weeks that it remains in the news, you
will have built an excellent background
for the many future stories on this subject
that are bound to occur.
17. Here are two other common subjects in
the news: disputes and the related topics
and vocabulary; the vocabulary and
topics concerning the environment.
