Detailed Account of Electrical Infrastructure Problems in PR

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From the NYTimes, this detailed, well-researched account of the electric grid problems before and after Hurricane Maria.  See: How Storms, Missteps and an Ailing Grid Left Puerto Rico in the Dark. “It took months to restore electricity in Puerto Rico after hurricanes dealt a one-two punch. Many homes are still without power, and the system’s future is far from certain.”

There are many elements of this article worth delving into, but one that I would like to highlight is this question: Is the Stafford Act adequate to deal with a catastrophic event?

An Article to Ponder

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Reinventing America

This article from the May issue of The Atlantic has nothing to do with disasters. But it does provide an optimistic view of small town American life, which is refreshing. The thought occurs to me that there is hope for interest, competence, and commitment to dealing with hazards and potential disasters at the local level, at a time when our federal leadership is questioned every day.

No Mention of Climate Change in FEMA’s Strategic Plan

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From the HuffPost: FEMA’s Latest Excuse For Why It’s Ignoring Climate Change: It Forgot

Rep. Keith Ellison asked the agency why, and so far he’s not happy with the answer. In its latest response, FEMA says it basically forgot.

“There was no decision, and no direction, to deliberately avoid or omit any particular term in the writing of the 2018-2022 Strategic Plan,” FEMA Director Brock Long wrote on April 12, referring to the document the agency uses to help anticipate and prepare the nation for natural disasters.

Long’s claim is a remarkable one given that 2017 was the costliest, most-damaging year on record for weather and climate-related disasters in the U.S., and the third-warmest year on record. Experts predict those costs, which directly impact FEMA’s operation, will increase as the climate shifts further and further from its baseline.

NPR on FEMA’s Failure re Puerto Rico

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From National Public Radio (5/1/18): How FEMA Failed to Help Victims of Hurricanes in Puerto Rico Recover.

Also on 5/1, the Public Television show Frontline did a program titled The Blackout in Puerto Rico.

Update:  My fellow blogger, Eric Holdeman also posted comments about these citations, and ends with a worthy warning:

Thus, when people point the finger at Mike Byrne  [federal coordinating officer] and FEMA, remember that three fingers are pointing back at you and others. You own a portion of this failure to have a national culture of preparedness and community resilience.

 

 

Warning re Biothreats

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From HSToday:  U.S. ‘A Lot More Fragile Than We Realize’ on Biothreats, Experts Warn. “The nation is critically underprepared to confront transnational biological threats ranging from DIY bioterror agents to natural pathogens that outpace current pharmaceuticals and overwhelm medical facilities, the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense heard at a Wednesday event at the Hudson Institute.”

From the NY Times: Inside the secret U.S. stockpile meant to save us all in a bioterror attack