Tropical Cyclone Impacts on Island-Based Populations

Abstract

Abstract The complete 2017 Atlantic basin hurricane season, taken as a totality, was a potential harbinger of storm seasons that are likely to occur throughout the remainder of the 21st century based on the evolving dynamics of climate change. While the literature is less conclusive regarding the frequency of hurricane activity, studies have converged on the likelihood of more intense global storms on average. This chapter (a) documents the key aspects of the 2017 Atlantic season in relation to the prominent climate drivers that enhanced the severity of tropical cyclone hazards; (b) discusses the distinguishing vulnerabilities of small island developing states (SIDS) during a season when 22 of 29 Caribbean-region SIDS sustained impacts from at least one storm; (c) explores the public health consequences of the hurricanes, with specific focus on the life-threatening heat exposures experienced by SIDS-dwelling storm survivors; (d) elucidates the significant barriers to mounting an effective emergency response for SIDS populations; and (e) summarizes key points through a complexity lens. Taken as a whole, 2017 represented a perfect storm season insofar as the composite outcomes of the 17 storms painted a quintessential portrait of climate drivers influencing storm formation, severity, and human population consequences.