pic week3

1

An Inside Look at Natural Hazards and Hazard Mitigation

Student Name

Department of Homeland Security, Keiser University

DSC2210: Emergency Planning and Security Measures

Professor Thomas Frasca

February 14, 2021

Commented [JW1]: This is an appropriate APA 7 Cover Page. Note the bolded title. Also note how the title is descriptive and demonstrates the direction of the paper.

2

Abstract

Humans inhabit Earth and need to be prepared for both the natural and human-made hazards that

occur. Earth’s natural phenomenon is inevitable, but how humans react to it is imperative to

sustaining life here. Hazards are not initially dangerous to human life until they affect life and

property. Natural hazards occur from the atmosphere and its processes. They are beneficial to Earth

staying in equilibrium with nature. Human-made hazards occur when the human error causes a

disaster that is not natural. When a natural disaster or human-made disaster is declared, there are

numerous state and federal programs that can assist in the prevention and response to these events.

This is where hazard mitigation comes in and why it is so important. Mitigation efforts can help

create sustainable communities that are resilient to disasters. It is always better to be prepared for

disasters when dealing with human life. Some regions have the capability of having multiple

hazards hit due to their geographical area. In some disasters, state government cannot support a

natural disaster due to budgetary reasons. These federal programs are successful in providing relief

when local and state governments take the time to come up with mitigation plans for the hazards

that affect their communities. The federal guidelines for writing these plans from FEMA are

tedious and very detailed. Communities should involve local stakeholders when writing the plans.

Once a plan is approved, the state will be able to ask for federal assistance when their resources

have been depleted.

Keywords: hazards, natural, human-made, mitigation, communities

Commented [JW2]: APA 7 papers do not always require an abstract. However, many papers in Homeland Security will require you to write one in preparation for your career.

3

An Inside Look to Natural Hazards and Hazard Mitigation

The Earth is a beautifully unique place to live, comprised of many different ecosystems

and natural phenomena necessary to keep the world in dynamic equilibrium. Yet natural hazards

still occur, and humans have no control over them. Humans do, however, have the ability to

control their reaction when these hazards turn into disasters by having communities unite to

discuss pre-disaster strategies and post-disaster strategies. Natural hazards are inevitable and here

to stay long after this generation leaves this earth. But all generations must prepare through

hazard mitigation, such as storm planning. Hazard mitigation is the ongoing effort to lessen the

impacts of disasters on people and property through pre-disaster activities (Schwab et al., 2016,

p. 30). Climate change has progressed the frequency of these natural hazards turning into natural

disasters, so hazard mitigation plays a vital role in keeping communities safe by proper storm

preparedness. Hazards are inevitable, and as such, communities should educate themselves on

natural hazards, human-made hazards, and hazard mitigation to participate in preparedness and

response to natural disasters.

What are Natural Hazards?

In order to understand the importance of hazard mitigation, people first need to know

what a natural hazard is. Natural hazards are naturally occurring processes on earth and serve a

purpose in keeping the earth in equilibrium. All these processes have occurred throughout the

earth’s history and are only hazardous because they can cause harm to humans. Many of these

hazardous events are beneficial to the environment and help to maintain the earth’s balance. For

example, volcanic ash from a volcano erupting creates fertile soil, which stimulates new plant

growth (Schwab et al., 2016, p. 3). Natural hazards are typically broken down into three

categories: hydrologic hazards, meteorological hazards, and geological hazards. Hydrological

Commented [JW3]: Here is a clear thesis. Your thesis should end your introduction. It should have a clear call to action based on the topic you are discussing in your paper.

Commented [JW4]: This is a subheading. Because this is a Level 1 subheading, it is bolded and centered.

Commented [JW5]: These represent accurate APA citations. Page numbers are encouraged even for paraphrases and summaries, according to the American Psychological Association Manual.

4

hazards are caused by a severe excess or lack of water, meteorological hazards are related to

atmospheric patterns such as precipitation, temperature, wind speed, and humidity, and

geological hazards are when the Earth’s tectonic plates move (Tulane University, 2018).

Hydrological Hazards and Meteorological Hazards

Hydrological hazards are hazards that deal with too much or too little water in the

environment. Floods, droughts, coastal erosion, and soil erosion are examples of hydrological

hazards. Floods happen when there is an excess of water due to heavy rainfall in an area and are

one of the most common natural hazards. Most floods occur during the rainy season, which

spans over two to three months, depending on the region. Floods can cause wildlife habitats and

forests to be destroyed and can increase soil erosion. Floods can be mitigated by land use

planning, building barriers, and the development of technology to forecast flooding.

The opposite of flooding are droughts which means an imbalance in the supply and

demand of water. Climate change impacts droughts are due to an increase in rising temperatures

annually and alter atmospheric patterns which can shift storms to make landfall (Denchak, 2018).

This can cause extreme crop damage and lead to the death of many animals. Mitigation of

droughts can only be managed when countries and individual works together to use alternative to

fossil fuels to decrease climate change, which will slow down the rise of earth’s temperature,

which is driving climate change and more severe droughts.

Meteorological hazards can be devastating to both infrastructures and human life. If these

hazards make landfall, they have the potential to become a natural disaster. These hazards

include hurricanes, monsoons, tornadoes, ice storms, thunderstorms, wildfires, sandstorms, and

climate change. All these hazards can be devastating to regions, which is why proper mitigation

strategies and planning is so important. Tornadoes, for example, hit the Unites States on average

Commented [JW6]: As this is a subpoint under the earlier one, this is a Level 2 Subheading. It should be bolded and left indented.

5

1,200 times per year and are mostly formed when a thunderstorm has a well-defined

mesocyclone (well- defined radar circulation) (National Severe Storms Laboratory, 2021).

Hurricanes originate in the tropical ocean and consist of a revolving mass of wind that is around

a relatively calm center called the eye (Schwab et al., 2016, pp. 52-53). Wildfires are devastating

because they can be started without any real warning. They spread fast and can devastate

vegetation, animals, and infrastructures (Wildfires, 2021).

Geological Hazards

Geological hazards include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides, and

floods. Earthquakes are a form of energy, which is transmitted to the surface in the form of

waves called seismic waves. The reason why we feel shaking when an earthquake hits is from

the tectonic plates moving over one another. This huge release of energy is detrimental and

causes massive loss of life and properties due to buildings collapsing and damage to roads and

bridges. A tsunami is a massive sea wave caused by earthquakes on the ocean floor or an

undersea landslide, these waves are massive in size and height. Landslides occur on uneven or

unstable hillsides when water runs through the rocks causing the loose layer of rocks to move

downward due to gravity and sometimes it is a rapid movement (United States Geological

Survey, n.d.).

The Dangers of Man-Made Hazards

Man-made hazards differ from natural hazards because humans are responsible for the

effects of man-made hazards. Examples of man-made hazards are terrorism, technological

hazards, civil unrest, and mass shootings. During a technological hazard event, there is usually

little to no warning at all when the incident happens, or if the hazard is a bioterrorism attempt the

victim could be affected years later (Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA], 2021).

Commented [JW7]: Be wary of sources with no date. However, this is from a .gov site, so it is permissible. Check thoroughly to ensure a date is not listed on the page somewhere.

Commented [JW8]: By noting FEMA here, then subsequent citations can refer to FEMA as opposed to the full organization name.

6

Chemicals are used every day, and for the most part, cause no harm to humans unless

they are released improperly into the environment at dangerously high levels. There is a planning

committee called the Local Emergency Planning Committee responsible for collecting data on

the chemicals in the designated community and creating a document for the public to view at any

time as part of the response action to a chemical hazard (FEMA, Technological Hazards, 2021).

Nuclear power plants can be very dangerous if a disaster occurred involving one. Nuclear

power plants have the potential to emit dangerously high levels of radiation into the atmosphere

by means of radioactive material or radioactive gas particles (FEMA, Technological Hazards,

2021). Local and state governments have response plans for when this type of event occurs.

Terrorism is a human-made threat that America knows all too well. In fact, the

Department of Homeland Security was created because of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. Terrorism

is when violence is used against the people and in violation of criminal law for purposes of

intimidation or ransom which include, kidnapping, bomb scares, cyber-attacks, and biological

warfare (Monroe County, Florida, n.d.). Human-made hazards can be prepared and mitigated

more easily than natural hazards because humans are more predictable than nature.

Hazards vs. Disasters

Many people think that the terms hazards and disasters can be used interchangeably when

talking about naturally occurring events, but they are different. Natural hazards are just what the

name suggests. They are a natural extreme event that initially causes no harm to humans.

However, a natural disaster comes into play when a natural hazard has an effect on human life

and property and overwhelms the ability to cope and respond (PennState College of Earth and

Mineral Sciences, Department of Geography, n.d.). A hurricane, for example, can form in the

middle of the ocean and never make landfall, so it remains a hazard because it has no effect on

Commented [JW9]: Note that because this paper is moving from subpoints, it returns to a Level 1 Heading

7

human society. When a hurricane forms in the ocean and hits populated regions like Florida or

the Bahamas, it is now a natural disaster because infrastructure will be damaged, and lives may

be lost.

Hazard Mitigation: The Basics

In any situation, it is always good to prepare for the worst. Hazard Mitigation planning

allows communities the opportunity to come up with a plan that identifies long-term solutions to

potential natural disasters (New Hampshire Department of Safety, n.d.). On a state level, having

a mitigation plan in place for every natural hazard that can occur in that geographical region is

imperative. To be eligible for federal funding during a declared state of emergency, there must

be an approved mitigation plan. To continue to be eligible for FEMA grant funding, local

mitigation plans must be updated every five years. The mitigation plans are written at the state

level by contributions from local stakeholders and local government and approved by FEMA.

Implementation and planning of mitigation plans are costly. That is why in 2000, Congress

adopted the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, which provides federal funding to mitigation efforts

New Hampshire Department of Safety, n.d.). The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA)

replaced the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 because

the focus was going to be more on mitigation prevention. The DMA rewards local and state pre-

disaster planning and encourages sustainable communities as part of a disaster prevention

strategy (Schwab et al., 2016, pp. 197).

Yet no state planning is perfect. Mitigation efforts start with local government. Locals,

being aware of the natural hazards in their community, can help them prepare their properties

and homes for when a natural disaster occurs. To help people prepare for disasters, both natural

Commented [JW10]: Note the transition to a more narrow solution here.

8

and human-made, public training and education play a pivotal role in preparedness (Bullock,

Haddow, & Coppola, 2013).

Federal Mitigation Programs

There are many different approaches to hazard mitigation, but the common goal is the

same, to eliminate risk to people and property. The federal government steps in to assist in

natural disasters only then the state level have exhausted all their resources. Over the years

federal programs have been revised or replaced in order to be kept up to date with climate

change and mitigation prevention efforts. The most well-known federal program is the Federal

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA promotes improvement and capability to

prepare, respond and recover from disasters (FEMA, Mission & Strategic Plan, 2021). The

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding through FEMA to state, local, tribal, and

territorial governments so they can rebuild post-disaster to mitigate future damage to

communities (FEMA, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, 2021). HMGP helps communities

through property protection. If an area of land is prone to hazards, the government, through the

HMGP, can acquire the land and that allows the homeowner to relocate to a safer area. This

reduces the need for constant funding to rebuild post-storm and federal dollars can be spent more

conscientiously. On the other hand, flooding is a problem in some areas and the HMGP can also

assist in funding for protective barriers that prevent floodwaters from destroying communities.

The HMGP is only available after the president declares a state of emergency but since flooding

is so hazardous the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program has funding available yearly. This

program has three types of grants: planning, project, and technical assistance (Schwab et al.,

2016, p. 199). Mitigation through prevention has shown positive outcomes to storm

preparedness. The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program assists the local governments with funding

9

for preventative measures within their communities through project grants. These projects must

be designed and implemented to show reduce the damage to properties and loss of life. However,

the PDMP program is newly being replaced by a program called Building Resilient

Infrastructure Communities Program (BRIC), and it is shifting the focus to community resilience

for prevention measures (FEMA, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, n.d.).

These programs are some of many that provide relief to states and communities that experience

natural disasters.

Conclusion

Hazards and disasters both human and natural are events that will continue to occur on

earth. How people and communities respond to these events are a key factor in surviving these

events. Climate change is only going to increase so mitigation efforts need to stay up to date and

research needs to continue prevention strategies. All the processes above have been appearing

throughout Earth’s history, but they become a hazard when the effect on human life is negative

(Tulane University, 2018). Mitigation strategies are the only way to prepare and respond

appropriately to hazards and disasters. Communities need to continue to form and build

partnerships with local and state governments to ensure the importance of storm mitigation

planning.

10

References

Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2013). Mitigation, prevention, and

preparedness. Introduction to Homeland Security, 435–494.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-415802-3.00010-5

Denchak, M. (2018, September 13). Drought: Everything you need to know. National Resource

Defense Council. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/drought-everything-you-need-

know?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxM28sb_v7gIV0b3ACh2NNwGYEAAYASAAEgJVNfD_

BwE

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021, February 26). Hazard Mitigation Grant

Program (HMGP). https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/hazard-mitigation

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021, February 26). Technological Hazards.

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/technohazards.pdf

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021, January 4). Mission & Strategic Plan

https://www.fema.gov/about/mission

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021, May 19). Building Resilient Infrastructure and

Communities (BRIC). Retrieved February 23, 2021, from

https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/building-resilient-infrastructure-communities

Monroe County, Florida. (n.d.). Man-Made Disaster. Retrieved February 25, 2021, from

https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/904/Man-Made-

Disaster#:%7E:text=Man%2Dmade%20disasters%20have%20an,%2C%20cyber%2Datta

cks%2C%20etc.

National Severe Storms Laboratory. (2021). Severe Weather.

https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/tornadoes/

Commented [JW11]: Note the alphabetization, hanging indents, and accurate APA 7 references.

11

New Hampshire Department of Safety. (n.d.) Hazard Mitigation Retrieved February 23, 2021,

from https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/hsem/HazardMitigation/planning.html

PennState College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Department of Geography. (n.d.) What is a

Natural Hazard? Retrieved February 15, 2021, from https://www.e-

education.psu.edu/geog30/node/378

Schwab, A. K., Sandler, D., & Brower, D. J. (2016). Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness: An

Introductory Text for Emergency Management and Planning Professionals, Second

Edition (2nd ed.). CRC Press.

Tulane University. (2018, January). Natural Hazards and Natural Disasters.

https://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/Natural_Disasters/introduction.pdf

United States Geological Survey (n.d.). What is a landslide and what causes one? USGS

Retrieved February 25, 2021, from https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-a-landslide-and-

what-causes-one?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products

Wildfires (2021, March 16). Ready. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from

https://www.ready.gov/wildfires