More than 280 people have been killed in the Philippines after typhoon Bopha made contact. The estimated total is not official yet as search and rescue teams are still trying to find any missing people. The crazy thing about this disaster was a combination of mass movements, floods, strong winds, and communication systems that were down. When you look at the housing infrastructures you have houses that could possibly withstand this type of typhoon and then you have shelters that have thin sheets of steel as a roof and decaying wood as frames. Strong winds possibly makes these type of materials giant pieces of shrapnel. Now pile on the excessive rain accumulation between the different types of soils and houses that were built next to hillsides that had a steep incline. Mudslides adds the potential threat of trapping people under the mud, destruction of facilities such has emergency buildings, and blocking major roads. Again, from a Swiss cheese point of view, I would consider that all the holes lined up in this disaster. From strong winds and exessive rain triggering mudslides to victims holding onto their lives while emergency teams are trying to establish communication systems. Not to blame that the emergency teams aren't doing their job, but had there been a better plan, maybe there wouldn't be as many casualties.
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