Tropical Cyclones in Nicaragua: Historical Impact and Contemporary Exposure to Disaster Risk

Gema Vel&#225;squez-Espinoza; Irasema Alc&#225;ntara-Ayala

doi:10.1007/s13753-024-00581-7

Volume 15 Issue 4

Aug. 2024

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Gema Velásquez-Espinoza, Irasema Alcántara-Ayala. Tropical Cyclones in Nicaragua: Historical Impact and Contemporary Exposure to Disaster Risk[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2024, 15(4): 579-593. doi: 10.1007/s13753-024-00581-7

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Gema Velásquez-Espinoza, Irasema Alcántara-Ayala. Tropical Cyclones in Nicaragua: Historical Impact and Contemporary Exposure to Disaster Risk[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2024, 15(4): 579-593. doi: 10.1007/s13753-024-00581-7

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Tropical Cyclones in Nicaragua: Historical Impact and Contemporary Exposure to Disaster Risk

doi: 10.1007/s13753-024-00581-7

Gema Velásquez-Espinoza^1,2,
Irasema Alcántara-Ayala³

1. Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, 14172, Unan-Managua, Nicaragua;
2. Postgraduate Programme in Geography, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), 04510, Mexico City, Mexico;
3. Institute of Geography, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), 04510, Mexico City, Mexico

Funds:

Thanks to the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (CONAHCYT), which provided a student fellowship for Gema Velá

squez-Espinoza.

Accepted Date: 2024-08-16

Available Online: 2024-10-26

Publish Date: 2024-08-23

Abstract

Abstract

In tropical regions such as Nicaragua, the population’s vulnerability to hazards has escalated in recent decades. This increase in vulnerability has led to a surge in disasters, particularly those triggered by intense hurricanes. The implications at the national level are still poorly understood. The aim of this article has, therefore, been two-fold. First, to present a historical review of the direct effects of tropical cyclones on society in Nicaragua from 1852 to 2020. Second, to analyze the statistical probabilities of future hurricane-spawned high winds over Nicaragua. Data on cyclones hitting Nicaragua’s coasts were collected, including direct effects, wind speed, pressure, category, direction, and time of landfall. A database was created to classify intensity based on wind speed and frequency. Between 1852 and 2020, Nicaragua experienced 58 tropical cyclones with varying degrees of intensity between September and November. The trajectories of six past hurricanes were considered here regarding the areas that might have been under potential threat. Three zones of influence were delimited along each trajectory according to three wind intensities and the trajectory of these hurricanes. The consequent exposure of each Nicaraguan department and autonomous region was established. The findings are essential to delimitating priority areas for attention regarding the likely impact of tropical cyclones, mainly category 4 and 5 hurricanes. Public officials and the general public can use these data to identify the pressing need for enhanced strategies to mitigate disaster risk and avoid potential disasters.
- Exposure,
- Historical impact,
- Hurricanes,
- Nicaragua,
- Tropical cyclones,
- Vulnerability

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References(61)

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