From ScienceDirect: Hospital preparedness for one of the worst predicted hurricane seasons on record – why this time is different.

Hurricane Ian in 2022 devastated western Florida becoming the seventh deadliest hurricane in US history with 66 total direct deaths attributed to the storm of which 41 were a result of storm surge. The leading causes of death were blunt trauma and drowning due to storm surge and flooding, particularly in Lee County, Florida. Freshwater flooding caused additional fatalities in central and eastern Florida.^4,5

Several lessons were learned from hurricane Ian that are instructive for healthcare systems to consider to adequately prepare and respond to future hurricanes.

• 1.Misplaced focus on the National Hurricane Centers (NHC) forecast cone: The public concentrated on the NHC Forecast Cone, which only indicates the probable path of the storm’s center, rather than understanding the broader impact areas. Large storms like Hurricane Ian have effects that extend well beyond the cone and may not follow the predicted forecast cone.
• 2.Delayed Evacuation Orders: Local officials delayed issuing evacuation orders, which reduced the time available for residents to safely evacuate from high-risk areas. This delay contributed to higher fatalities during the storm.
• 3.Underestimating Water Risks: People tend to underestimate the dangers of water (storm surge and flooding) compared to wind during hurricanes. This leads to inadequate preparation and response to water-related threats.3, 5

From The Hill: Fourteen attorneys general ask FEMA to make wildfire smoke, extreme heat eligible for major disaster aid

“Thirteen Democratic state attorneys general and their counterpart in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday wrote to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to voice support for rules making extreme heat and wildfire smoke events eligible for major disaster declarations.

The letter is in support of a June petition by a coalition of unions and green advocacy groups that called for expanding the regulatory definition of “major disasters” to include smoke and heat. This move by FEMA would make the federal agency’s funds and resources available to communities dealing with their effects.”

From Inside Climate News: Hurricane Beryl Was a Warning Shot for Houston
The category one storm dealt the city disastrous damage. Houston’s first direct hit from a hurricane in decades showed how vulnerable the nation’s energy capital remains.

From HSNewsWire: MANAGED RETREAT Disaster Recovery: What Community-Driven Relocation Could Look Like.
Over the past forty years, the Gulf Region has experienced devastating hurricanes and flooding, costing 232 billion dollars. The gut reaction after any disaster is to rebuild and protect-in-place, but sometimes communities have to consider relocation — but the conversations around rebuilding versus relocation continue to be challenging for policymakers and the communities impacted by disasters

From Fortune: FEMA is denying requests for aid as relief fund runs dry amid record number of costly disasters

“FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund could be depleted by mid August without additional money from Congress, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told the Associated Press last month. The fund faces a more than $6 billion deficit without supplemental appropriations, according to its most recent monthly report.

Last year, the Disaster Relief Fund was forced to halt payments for about a month – the first time it had to do so since 2017 — for thousands of projects not considered immediate as it was running out of money. For example, funding was delayed for projects related to past hurricanes and wildfires.”

“If FEMA funding doesn’t grow at the same rate of disasters, something is going to give,” said Sarah Sullivant, a managing director at S&P Global Ratings. “These disasters are getting more costly. It will require more funding for FEMA. If that funding is not forthcoming, we are talking about long-term state and local governments being on the hook for more.”

From HSToday: FEMA and HUD Partner to Boost State Housing Recovery and Resilience.

“Yesterday, FEMA in partnership with the U.S. Department of Urban Housing and Development (HUD), published the Pre-Disaster Housing Planning Initiative Report to promote collaborative approaches to disaster housing recovery challenges and to bolster state planning for housing recovery before disasters occur.

This joint effort helps build local capacity and ensures states, Tribal Nations and territories adopt a proactive approach to housing recovery. A first-of-its-kind partnership between FEMA, HUD and states, the initiative was created to address these issues during blue sky days to help ensure individuals, families and communities can recover effectively from disasters. This type of planning also helps states move from short-term sheltering programs to more sustainable housing solutions.”

This recent report from RAND puts the spotlight on massive recovery efforts underway in TX and adjacent states and the special problems they are encountering. See Climate Change Risk to National Critical Functions.

From HSToday: Texas Residents Advised to Take Precautions Amid Hurricane Beryl Recovery.

“Residents of Texas are urged by FEMA to take necessary precautions as they assess damage and begin the cleanup process following the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. With millions of people still without power, the dangers of extreme heat are a significant concern. As the storm moves northeast across the Midwest, those in its path should remain vigilant and heed the advice of local officials.”

From the NYTimes: As Climate Toll Grows, FEMA Imposes Limits on Building in Flood Plains. New restrictions are meant to reduce damage during floods. The rules were first proposed in 2016, then the Trump administration scrapped them.

“We are going to be able to put a stop to the cycle of response and recovery, and rinse and repeat,” Deanne Criswell, the FEMA administrator, said during a call with reporters. The new rule will “enhance resilience in flood-prone communities, by taking future flood risk into consideration when we rebuild,” she said.

From  SanageloLive: FEMA Issues Relief Plan for Tropical Storm Beryl

“Prior to the hurricane’s landfall, FEMA stockpiled commodities and critical supplies, including 500,000 meals and 800,000 liters of water, that are ready to distribute at the state’s request. FEMA also has 60 generators on-site to provide power to critical infrastructure, if needed.

To ensure communication capabilities on the ground, FEMA has two Mobile Emergency Response Support vehicles prepared to deploy.”