From Reuters, yet another take on the costly and sometimes tragic outcomes from lack of regulation and the problems of the National Flood Ins. Program. See: Unfettered building, scant oversight add to cost of hurricanes in U.S.
In the wake of a ferocious storm season, Reuters finds that homes built in violation of flood-mitigation rules add to the billions of dollars in claims on the already-broke federal flood insurance program
From the NYTimes: Rethinking Electric Power, Prompted by Politics and Disaster. An excerpt from the article:
Researchers’ heads have danced with visions of self-sufficient microgrids and solar-harnessed battery systems as they dream of giving Puerto Rico a new power system that is cleaner and less carbon-intensive than the fossil-fuel-dependent one the storm wrecked. The island is becoming an important proving ground for ideas about how low-carbon energy can be practical, both technically and financially.
Update: On a related topic, here is a 63 page document from the European Union. Power grid recovery after natural hazard impact
From the NYTimes: In a Warming California, a Future of More Fire. The recent cycle of drought and deluge in California led to major fire risk. Climate change makes that cycle worse.
Some Personal Preparedness Advice: Fleeing the California Wildfires: What to Take and When to Evacuate
From CNN, this account of the fire protection measures in place at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles: Getty Museum says it’s ‘safest place’ for art if fires threaten
From the HSDL site, a short summary and direct link to the new report: The 2017 National Preparedness Report.
Developers Said Their Homes Were Out of a Flood Zone. Then Harvey Came.
Update: A related paper (24 pp) from an academic at the Maxwell School at Syracuse:
Drawing Lines: FEMA and the Politics of Mapping Flood Zones
Thanks to Chris Jones for this citation.
New Research results: Hurricane Evacuation.
Hurricane season is finally ending. Interesting facts and figures for the 2017 season of hurricanes.
The latest edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 1600 can be viewed here.
From the National Academy of Sciences: Emergency Preparedness / Disaster Management Collection
Recent events have proven that even prepared communities can be overwhelmed in a state of state of emergency. This collection of reports provides guidelines and targeted resources for all stakeholders in a disaster response, including state and local governments, emergency medical services and health care centers. These reports also examine the improvement of emergency services in rural communities and recommends post-disaster public engagement practices.
Recovery Diva 