From HSNwire: All wildfires are not alike, but the U.S. is fighting them that way
Wildfires
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Another Take on the FEMA AAReport
From the New Republic: The Troubling Failure of FEMA’s Disaster Relief
The agency wasn’t ready for last year’s record-breaking hurricane season, and it wants the public to know that it’s not ready for another one.
Can Your Government Afford a Disaster?
From Governing.com: It’s Natural Disaster Season. Can Your Government Afford It? Most states don’t know how much they spend on extreme weather events.
Note that the report on state spending was cited in a posting here on June 19 .
More Details re FEMA’s Role In Disaster Recovery in PR
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.
FEMA After-Action Report on PR Response [A very important report.]
- From the WashPost: FEMA admits failures in Puerto Rico disaster response, in after-action report.
- From the NY Times: FEMA Was Sorely Unprepared for Puerto Rico Hurricane, Report Says
- Direct link to 65-page After Action Report.
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.
Ellicott City, MD is Test Bed for New Technology
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.
NFIP Adrift
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
The Thai Cave Rescue
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.
When Government Isn’t Listening
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.
Photos of Japanese Floods
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.
Recovery Diva 