From the NY Times, Hurricane Season, Already Busy, May Get Even Busier.
Active Hurricane Season Likely
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Author Archives: recoverydiva
Three Reactions to Latest Climate Report – as of August 8
- NY Times published the draft climate report to bypass President Trump if he does not release it publicly and seemingly to gain support for the findings. The report is 573 pages.
- Another account of the same report, the draft of which has been released by at least two sources, from Bloomberg News.
- An article by a cartoonist and satirist re the EPA Administrator’s take on the climate issue.
Update/Correction on August 10: The Wash. Post criticized the NYTimes article noted above.
Disasters and Climate Change: Managing Risks and Building Resistence.
Both an infographic and an upcoming conference deal with the topic Disasters & Climate Change: Managing Risks & Building Resilience. The conference will be in Washington, DC on Sept. 6-7, 2017. Details are not yet complete.
For more information about the Global Disaster Relief & Development Summit, visit disaster-relief.aidforum.org or contact Alina O’Keeffe at marketing@aidforum.org
Why No Hurricane Has Directly Hit VA, MD, or DE Since 1851
From the Wash post, this article: Why a Single Hurricane Has Not directly Hit VA, MD, or DE since 1851.
The Diva is glad this area is relatively safe from hurricanes, since there are enough man-made disasters in the Washington, DC area to keep us all busy.
Hurricane Safety Guide
Basic advice in nicely illustrated brochure: download here.
NRDC Report on Flood Ins. Program
From the NRDC, this new report on the National Flood Insurance Program: Troubled Flood Insurance Program Traps Homeowners in Floodprone Areas .
The U.S. flood insurance program has repeatedly rebuilt some of the most flood-prone properties in the country, unintentionally setting a trap for owners of modest homes who would prefer to move out of harm’s way, according to a new national report from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). For every $100 the nation spends to rebuild homes with national flood insurance funds, FEMA spends just $1.72 to better protect people by moving them to safer, less flood-prone land.
NRDC’s Seeking Higher Ground, calls on Congress to adopt a series of climate smart reforms, including changing the mindset of “flood, rebuild, repeat,” to buying out homeowners who no longer want to rebuild on a vulnerable property.
In Defense of the Chemical Safety Board
From the NY Times: A Dangerous Idea: Eliminating the Chemical Safety Board
If the board is abolished, hundreds of thousands of people who live near chemical factories and refineries will be at greater risk. I came to appreciate the board five years ago, when its experts came here to my hometown to investigate a huge fire at the Chevron refinery at the end of my street.
FEMA’s Ability to Cope Effectively Not Yet Known
Trump’s Leader for FEMA Wins Praise, but Proposed Budget Cuts Don’t
Even with Mr. Long leading the agency, FEMA still faces issues that are not related to its leadership. His skill will soon be tested.
The Trump administration has proposed cutting a number of programs and grants at the agency that many cities and states say will leave them unprepared to deal with disasters. And despite Mr. Long’s extensive experience as a state emergency manager, the federal agency has yet to face a major disaster under his leadership.
The Costly Outcomes of Slashing Science Funding
For the Impact of Trump Slashing Science Funding, Look North. “Canada gutted its science budget a decade ago under Harper. The sky didn’t fall, but a slow-motion decline ensued.” One quote from the article:
“If you really want to keep building innovative products, the government needs to keep investing in fundamental research,” he said. “That’s the great lesson that America has taught the world.”
Excellent Analysis and Recommendations for Needed Recovery Improvements
The Diva was very impressed with this new 53 page paper titled Rebuild the Plane Now: Recommendations for Improving Governments’ Approach to Disaster Recovery and Preparedness. The author is Holly Leicht, former Regional Administrator (Region I) of HUD.
It is well written – – clearly she has been on the front lines of federal recovery efforts, and she provides 41 specific recommendations for improvements. Please share this report with those in a position to effect changes in recovery policies and practices.
Update: be sure to read the comments below, including some from the author.
Recovery Diva 