Natural Disasters
By: Ross Holder
The Problem
The problem with natural disasters in Central America is that it can destroy infrastructure. It can also destroy houses or many other buildings. Some natural disasters can cause severe injuries or even death.
3 Effects
Three effects natural disasters have on the citizens of Central America are loss of homes, loss of infrastructure, and sometimes even death.
Haiti Earthquake
A earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010220,000 were people estimated to have died and 300,000+ people were injured. Over 188,383 houses were badly damaged and 105,000 were destroyed by the earthquake. 1.5 million people became homeless.
Honduras Earthquake
A magnitude 7.3 Earthquake hit Honduras on May 28, 2009. There were at least 5 deaths in the earthquake as people got crushed in there falling houses.
Costa Rica Earthquake
7.4 quake struck Costa Rica on April 22,1991. It left at least 27 people dead, more than 400 people injured, 13,000 people homeless, and more than 3,260 buildings were destroyed.
The Soultion
The solution to the problem of natural disasters in Central America is to build better buildings that can withstand at least some medium earthquakes, to improve drainage for things like floods, and to improve your infrastructure to where all of it is not damaged in a natural disaster.
3 Effects
Three effects this solution will have on the citizens of Central America are not as much rebuilding, less chance of death, and quicker recovery from natural disasters.
Better Buildings
This is a building in Mexico called the Torre Mayor that is built to withstand even a 8.4 magnitude earthquake. Central America should build some buildings that can withstand earthquakes.
Improving Drainage
Central America can improve their drainage systems to decrease the chances of flooding. If they do this less buildings will be destroyed by floods.
Back Up
Central America needs to build other side roads so that if the main roads are destroyed there is another way to travel from one place to another.
Sources
CentralAmerica.com
CNN.com
USGS.com