Here is some useful information that provides more details about the changes in recovery that FEMA is making. If is from the STATEMENT OF MICHAEL BYRNE, ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR, FIELD OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, USDHS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. See: Bureaucratic Challenges to Response and Recovery in Puerto Rico; March 2018.
Thanks to Eric Letvin for the citation.
Update on July 14: Editorial in the NYTimes: FEMA Admits It Failed Puerto Rico. Can It Do Any Better? The agency’s disorganization and a lack of supplies and personnel contributed to the havoc.
From Government Technology: Ellicott City Is Hoping DHS’ Flood Apex Program Is a Match Made in Heaven. After two devastating floods in two years, the new technology can’t be deployed quickly enough.
Update: link was fixed.
A serious lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program is about to happen. From the Scientific American, see: As Hurricane Season Ramps Up, Flood Insurance Program Set to Expire. Efforts in Congress to reform the program have stalled, leaving property owners vulnerable
From the Guardian: The rescue of the Thai cave boys is a triumph of bravery, expertise and love. The incredible scenes we have witnessed are a model of international cooperation and coordinated selflessness.
It would be nice to see more such displays.
From the HomeSecurityNewswire: Coastal Peril. Sea level rise and coastal development: Science speaks directly to business.
If you are an investor or a developer with an interest in coastal properties, you are being bombarded with evidence of climate change in the form of sea level rise and its consequences. In the academic community, many interested in the business of coastal development have begun to take into account information from climate scientists and have expressed frustration that government regulators are not doing so.
So far hundreds of people have died and millions have been displaced from torrential rains and landslides. These photos show destruction that looks similar to that from the Sendai earthquake and tsunami — massive damage.
From the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, this new handbook on recovery (148 pp) from Australia. This website has other resources on recovery as well.
Always good to see how others approach recovery. Thanks to our colleagues down under!
New Buildings Rise in Flood Zones. One in eight new residential projects in New York is being built along the riskiest waterfront. The buildings may be resilient, but what about the neighborhoods?
I do not usually print cartoons, but this one in the Wash. Post speaks to our concern with disasters. I provide the link here to avoid any copyright infringement.
