2 Papers APA-7 Style, 4 Discussion question8 Student Responses

HM500 Crisis and Emergency Management Fundamentals

Unit 3 DQ

*Topic 1: Risk Mitigation Factors

You are the director of emergency services in a community located on the Gulf Coast in Southern Mississippi. During the hurricane season, this community often faces the threat of hurricanes. What are some of the risk mitigation factors that you could put into place that can help to reduce and or eliminate the impacts of the hurricane? Provide examples to support your position.

*Topic 1: #1 Student Response (Answer Student below)

Gabe Gil

There are many tools and techniques to the mitigation of risks from hurricanes. The use of natural approaches (green), such as dune replenishment, help mitigate the effects of waves and flooding. They are sacrificial in protecting the property beyond them. Putting a program in place for dune replenishment would be beneficial in mitigation. “The nor’easter storm of March 1962 in New Jersey caused extensive overtopping and elimination of dunes along many communities, but not in areas where property owners had implemented programs to build up dunes” (USACE, 1962, 1963, as cited by National Research Council, 2014, p. 88). Although affective, this natural approach does not come with out some consequence. Sand and dune replenishment is subject to long shore currents. This process can only be used where sand and beachfronts are still present.

I would then use hard structures (grey) for areas that are affected from flooding and storm surges but have no present beach. “Seawalls and other shore-parallel structures (such as revetments and bulkheads; Figure 3-3) are built to reduce coastal risks to infrastructure where the natural beaches and dunes have been eliminated or significantly restricted and where other risk reduction options are prevented by lack of space or sediment” (National Research Council, 2014, p. 75). I would also use oyster fields as a means of reducing sediment and sand loss at both our grey and green structures. With the Gulf Coast’s already rich waterman history and culture, this can also be an economic resource.

Besides large-scale projects I will also work with senior officials on building codes and requirements in our most vulnerable areas. The elevation of homes on pilings reduces the damage from floods and tidal surges. Enrolling the community in federal programs such as the NFIP, will allow us access to federal funding for flood mitigation plans. Our long-term projects such as local flood control projects can now have federal help through the Severe Repetitive Loss Program. “The SLR program is designed to provide funding to projects that mitigate the damage to residential properties insured under the NFIP” (Haddow et al, 2021, p. 117). After a disaster would be the most opportune time to discuss voluntary acquisition plans. The destruction and reality of the property in relation to the danger and damage areas is in plain sight. After a disaster declaration, I can then work with state agencies to request funding under The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for our present and future mitigation projects.

References

Haddow, G. D., Bullock, J. A., & Coppola D. P. (2021). Introduction to emergency management (7th ed.). Elsevier.

National Research Council (U.S.). (2014). Reducing coastal risk on the east and gulf coasts. National Academies

*Topic 1: #2 Student Response (Answer Student below)

Melissa Cuellar

Mitigation us an ongoing effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people's lives and property through damage prevention and flood insurance (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, 2021). The State of Mississippi's coast is at risk for hurricanes, but the impact of each hurricane can be reduced if mitigation techniques are developed and used. This means getting the word out to the community about mitigation techniques homeowners themselves can do such as; metal roof, making sure their homes are up to code and checking into if homeowners have flood insurance. 

Our book provided an example of structural control that US Army Corps of engineers designed and installed in the city of Valley City, North Dakota. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has designed and built levees as a flood-control structure across the United States ( Haddow. G, Bullock. J & Coppola. D pg. 105). This is another example of structure control that can built for southern Mississippi. 

References:

Haddow, G. Bullock, J. Coppola, D. (2021). “Introduction to Emergency Management” (7th edition). Cambridge: Butterworth-Heinemann

*Topic 2: Current Issues

Please review the newspaper, watch the news, or search the internet for a current issue or incident that relates to the material in the first three units. Describe the issue or incident to your classmates, including the link to the course content in your primary source. Please be sure to cite your sources.

*Topic 2: #1 Student Response (Answer Student below)

Timothy Fowler

The current event I have chosen for this week focuses on the vast flooding currently impacting several states along the Gulf Coast.

States such as Texas, and Louisiana, have suffered tremendous loss with respect to property damage, road deterioration, power failures, and loss of life. Weather forecasts indicate that severe weather will remain in the areas already affected by the storm, with a possibility of new areas of concern. In addition to flood conditions, residents have suffered extensive power outages in their areas. While most of the power has been restored in various areas of Louisiana, there are still approximately 53,000 people throughout Texas who are still without power (Foxnews, 2021). Given the damage and long term effects of the storm, it conceivable that state restoration expenses could be in the billions.

 

References

Foxnews, (2021). Flood threats turn deadly for states along Gulf Coast

            Retrieved at https:// www.foxnews.com/us/flood-threats-deadly-gulf-coast-texas-louisiana   

*Topic 2: #2 Student Response (Answer Student below)

Pamela Miller

Hawaii is very prone to flooding. It has been stated by experts that the climate crisis is causing changes to the pattern of rainfall in Hawaii, with downpours becoming more extreme even as the overall amount of rain decreases.  Recently severe flooding caused a dam to overflow on Maui, inciting evacuations and ultimately destroying homes. The dam was determined to be in "unsatisfactory" condition and it was actually scheduled to be removed later this year.  A bridge was also washed out, and roads heavily damaged displacing many people (Milman, 2021).  Sadly, there was a climate assessment completed in 2018 recognizing the growing danger of coastal flooding to low-lying areas.  It actually stated it posed such a threat that it threatened the very existence of certain communities.  

Hazard Mitigation Planning involves 4 steps: Organize the planning process and resources

Assess the risk and capabilities

Develop a mitigation strategy

adopt and implement the plan (Haddow et al., 2021).  

It is apparent the state started this process and then delayed or did not intend to act on the findings to mitigate the risks identified.  Additionally, the dam was scheduled to be removed but was still in place.  There was no escalation in surveying or monitoring through the flood season waiting for the removal.  This had already been identified as a risk mitigation opportunity but it was a lost opportunity.  

The cost of disasters in the world has grown substantially.  Many things contribute to this, including global warming, rising sea levels, urban and coastal development, deforestation, migration of populations to coastal regions, and filling in of floodplains.  The combined impact is disastrous and ever more costly (Haddow et at., 2021).  

Regarding the flooding, Governor Ige did declare a state of emergency which opened resources to help respond to the crisis.  The different counties EOCs were stood up that suffered the worst impacts.  There was also local mutual aid enacted and vehicles and road clearing equipment were sent from other islands to assist in clearing, repairing and opening roads (HEMA, 2019; FEMA, 2020) .  

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2020). Comprehensive planning guide-101 (CPG-101) 3.0   (draft v0.5)    http://bit.ly/2ejKUQX

Haddow, G.D., Bullock, J.A. & Coppola, D.P. (2021). Introduction to emergency management (7thed.). Elsevier Inc..

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. (2019, November). State of Hawaii emergency operations plan/basic plan.   https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/sert-resources/plans-and-planning-resources/

Milman, O. (2021, March 10).  Hawaii governor declares emergency after floods and landslides. The Guardian.  https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/10/hawaii-landslides-emergency-declarati0n-weather-rain-floods .