How hurricanes influence social and economic changes ?

The understanding of the long-term influence of hurricanes on the coastal zone deal with the monitoring the geomorphological evolution and the socioeconomic changes. In this study we analyze, the evolution of the Saint-Martin Island (West Indies, Caraïbean Sea) from 1947 to 2019. During the last 70 years, several hurricanes occurred and Saint-Martin has seen huge economic and environmental changes due to (1) fiscal laws, (2) a huge population increase, (3) coastal urbanization. Based on aerial photos and satellite images, we have analyzed this development. We have described the urban, agricultural and natural change. The transformation of the agricultural economy into an economy dominated by tourism, has significantly changed the coastal zones. The new spatial and economical configuration of the island has led to a higher risk of marine flooding.

Hurricane Irma (2017) seriously damaged coastal infrastructures and dwellings, caused fatalities as well as triggered the mangrove partial destruction. Field study comparison with satellite images observation show that non-negligible mistakes on the dwelling damage could be done. The damage quantification is often use to elaborate plan risk and must be carefully taken into account. In the Saint-Martin Island, the population disagree with plan risk focusing only on natural hazard without integrating socioeconomic risk and difficulties that strongly affect the inhabitants since several decade. Solution proposed to manage natural risk often trigger the conditions that favored the occurrence of social crisis and social crisis management has often generated an increase of the vulnerability to natural hazard (Gargani and Jouannic, 2015 ; Gargani, 2016 ; Jouannic et al., 2017). As a consequence of Irma Hurricane, social inequalities are expected to increase (Gargani, 2019).

 

Gargani J., G. Jouannic. Les liens entre Société, Nature et Technique durant les derniers 200 ans : analyse dans deux vallées françaises. VertigO, V. 15, n.3, 2015.

Gargani J., Crises environnementales et crises socio-économiques. L’Harmattan, Paris, 156p, 2016.

Gargani J., Prévenir les catastrophes naturelles ou alibi de réorganisation urbaine en faveur des plus riches ? Le journal du MAUSS, 28 octobre 2019.

Jouannic G., Gargani J., Legendre T., Gastaud P., Kolli Z., Crozier D., Arki F., Stratégie d’adaptation et réduction de la vulnérabilité : exemple de l’évolution des rives dans la vallée du Rhône et de la Saône. Espace populations sociétés, 2016/3, 2017.