Abstract This paper explores the possibilities for increased awareness, preparation and response to naturaldisasters, given the recent history of these events around the world. The paper gives a general overview of naturaldisasters and discusses the ability of private citizens and local, state and federal agencies to prepare for them. The paper goes into detail about some aspects of Hurricane Katrina and what could have been done differently to prepare for her.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
NaturalDisaster Overview
Community Preparedness for Disaster Katrina, an Exercise in Ineffective Preparedness
Recommendations by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Disaster Preparedness
Early Warning Technology
The Future
From the Paper "There is only one thing for certain; disaster will strike again. Meteorologists have noted that the period of reduced activity that occurred between 1971 to 1994 ended, and predict that three or more major hurricanes, rating Category 3 or higher, can be expected each year in the Atlantic, Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico (Beardsley, 2005). Earthquakes will continue to occur, as will tsunamis, wildfires, flooding, and the plethora of other disasters that affect communities around the world. Only through increased preparedness will the citizens of the world be protected from these unavoidable, inevitable events."
Abstract This paper explores many of the emotional issues the elderly encounter when faced with a naturaldisaster. The author addresses feelings of vulnerability and isolation that are particular to the senior population. The writer also discusses how problems the elderly already experiences, such as mental health issues and dementia, may be compounded by a naturaldisaster. A naturaldisaster may also bring out previous traumas from the senior's life. The author concludes that naturaldisasters can increase and exacerbate stress and anxiety in the elderly and possibly lead to serious psychological issues.
From the Paper "Studies have also focused on the fact that the elderly experience certain identifiable and particular stress factors and vulnerabilities in the face of natural disasters. "We must acknowledge that certain vulnerabilities exist among many elders and that these vulnerabilities are likely to intensify at times of disaster and during the often lengthy recovery process" (Oriol W.) The realization of the vulnerability of older people to disaster is evidenced by the collaboration between Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) and The National Council on the Aging (NCOA), in bringing an important resource to communities to improve crisis counseling for the elderly. (Oriol W.) Therefore there is a growing body of research which mirrors the concern about the effects of emotional and psychological stress on the elderly in times of natural disaster."
Abstract The paper compares the naturaldisasters of New Orleans and South Africa in terms of survival statistics in relation to their effect on children in terms of symptomatic trauma, interventions and resources in rebuilding the urban places after the disaster. The paper examines both South Africa and New Orleans to analyze what could have been done to mitigate some of the damage inflicted in these two instances and further to envision what might be done in retrospect to strengthen the response of humanitarian efforts at times of naturaldisasters. The paper includes a map and tables.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Disaster Assessment of South Africa & New Orleans
Flooding Greatest Risk in South Africa and New Orleans
Findings of Risk Assessment
Disaster Mitigation Requires 'Spirit of the Law' Application
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Those most affected were individuals who lived in homes that were constructed poorly. Identification of areas and communities that were affected had no uniformity. The results show that some communities received relief while others did not. Relief agencies were not well represented insofar as informing these individuals of what relief they were entitled to with many failing to miss such relief funding as Social Security for water-damaged property replacement. The report states: "...In these communities, rain or flood-affected households managed their losses alone or, in the case of many farm-workers residing on farms, repaired their homes with the farmer's assistance."
Abstract This paper explores both past and current methods of disaster management when volcanic activity occurs. The paper focuses on monitoring and detection as approaches to handling potentially disastrous situations. Various methods of detection are explained, such as seismic monitoring. The author concludes that new methods offer hope for better predictions of volcanic activity, yet more must be done for disasterpreparation. This is imperative in order to better predict volcanic events and save the lives of those who witness such a naturaldisaster.
From the Paper "Seismic monitoring is one of the most common ways to keep track of volcanic activity (Choi, 2004; Mileti, 1999). Seismometers monitor earth movement, including the earthquakes and tremors that sometimes indicate volcanic activity like underground magma movement (Choi, 2004). Though seismic activity is often linked to volcanic events successfully, not all seismic events indicate a coming eruption (Kerr, 2003). For this reason, seismometer readings do not always provide accurate predictions (Choi, 2004)."
Abstract This paper discusses how Hurricane Katrina was a perfect example of what a naturaldisaster can do to an economy. It looks at how naturaldisasters affect production and consumption of an economy in several major ways and points out that one way naturaldisasters disrupt production and consumption is the loss of jobs and displacement of a work force. Another way naturaldisasters disrupt production and consumption in he economy is a rise in the prices of certain goods and services. The paper also contends that one positive result of a naturaldisaster is the increase in jobs in other sectors connected to reconstruction, the flow of money into the economy, and increased production in the end due to the modernization of structures.
Outline:
Introduction
NaturalDisasters The Loss of Jobs and Displacement of the Workforce
Short Term Rise in Employment and Influx of Money into the Economy
Increase in Production from Modernization of Infrastructure and Capital
Conclusion
From the Paper "Moreover, natural disasters must occur in highly populated areas that are vulnerable to its forces in order to be considered a disaster. Thus, a wildfire or an earthquake in an unpopulated area would not be considering a disaster. Most of major U.S. cities are situated close to water sources such as oceans, rivers or, fault lines in the case of California. These areas are prone to natural disasters. As a result, their larger economies are at a high risk of being disrupted by a natural disaster and have a greater economic impact on the rest of the country."
Argues that naturaldisasters impact society and community differently than do manmade disasters and that this distinction is important to the recovery of communities that have experienced a disasterous event.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 62.95
Abstract Naturaldisasters include such occurrences as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, avalanches or earthquakes. Manmade disasters would include such things as airplane crashes, chemical or nuclear accidents and, of course, war. This paper will demonstrate that the distinction between these two types of disasters is significant, as each triggers different reactions in those individuals and communities who experience them. Such post-disaster impact assumes many forms depending upon variables such as locus of control, and degree of exposure to trauma. It will be argued that community planning to deal with post-disaster impact is equally as important as the reconstruction of the physical landscape after disaster.
Abstract This paper examines human responses to naturaldisasters. Naturaldisasters were traditionally and common sense assumed to generate pathology. Recent research has indicated that, in fact, naturaldisasters inspire a range of individual responses from psychopathology to heroism.
Abstract This paper identifies and analyzes the 10 worst naturaldisasters of 2001. The first section of the paper identifies and ranks the ten worst naturaldisasters of 2001. The second portion of the paper presents a series of figures and tables.
Abstract This paper focuses on the 1993 flooding of the Mississippi basin, one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history which resulted in catastrophic insurance property claims. This paper explores the various homeowners insurance policies that did not provide coverage as well as the National Flood Insurance Program which underwrites all flood insurance in the U.S. This paper also discusses the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in aiding residents after a naturaldisaster.
From the Paper "In 1927 an earlier flood occurred in the lower Mississippi Valley, covering twenty-six thousand square miles of land in as much as fifty-seven feet of water. In response to this natural disaster, the federal government, through the Army Corps of Engineers, dredged the channel, changed the course of the river in places, and built nearly seven thousand miles of levees in an effort to prevent future disasters. But the government's steps to flood prevention sixty-five years earlier were no match for the Mighty Mississippi and the sustained rains the summer of 1993 brought with it."
A look at how Christians throughout Europe responded to naturaldisasters and the ways in which they contributed to certain widespread notions of eschatology.
Abstract This paper argues that Christians, during the late medieval period and the proto-modern period before the advent of the Enlightenment, responded to disasters by seeking out scapegoats and attributing them to something they had done to incur the wrath of God. The paper points out that the determination to find scapegoats for pestilence or crop failure invariably led to the witch hunts that extended over a period encompassing roughly seven centuries, from about the thirteenth century until well into the nineteenth century. To better understand this phenomenon, the paper examines the eschatological assumptions of the age. The paper concludes that Christian eschatology had the effect, for many centuries, of convincing large numbers of Europeans that the return of the Almighty was near and that righteous Christians would fortify their souls by rooting out those who were heretical, unfaithful, and responsible for unnatural naturaldisasters.
From the Paper "Between the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries, it is estimated that one million people in Europe were executed for witchcraft. Additionally, those witchcraft trials which have survived the passage of time appear to have frequently been conducted by ecclesiastical (Christian) courts. In the earliest trials, the institution of the Church took the lead role; by the end of the aforementioned period, it appears as though the Church was rarely, if ever, involved. In any case, whatever the amount of blame one wishes to affix to the European Christian Church, it would be inaccurate to suggest that only religious factors - however important - determined the actions of Europeans when confronted with a meteorological crisis they could not understand."
Abstract This paper discusses the impact of naturaldisaster on European society in the 17th and 18th centuries. The author focuses on the Lisbon earthquake, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and the Great Plague and fire in London. .
Abstract This paper discusses the ability of Turkish authorities to cope with naturaldisasters that occur in the region. It looks at how they reacted to the 1999 Marmara sea region earthquake and the 2000 flooding and discusses how these events challenged the power of the Turkish state to properly ensure the security of its population. The paper then looks at the areas Turkey must improve in order to prevent such massive loss of lives and damages from occurring again.
From the Paper "Overall, taking into account the serious conditions facing Turkey in terms of natural disasters, it can be said that the authorities have acquired an important and useful experience from the past. The 1999 earthquake and the 2000 floods proved the devastation natural disasters can produce and their tragic impact on the human society. Therefore, in order to reduce to the minimum the impact natural disasters have on the human security in Turkey, more action and initiative must be taken in terms of a functional early warning system, as well as in the area of improving the conditions of rivers and their banks."
Abstract This paper examines local, state and federal responsibility in maintaining emergency management services in preparation for naturaldisaster. A tornado is used as an example to demonstrate the varying levels of responsibility involved. An analysis of New York City's level of readiness is presented.
From the Paper "Emergency management departments throughout the nation train year round in preparation for natural disasters. The more prepared the emergency management operation is in any town the more prepared, protected and secure the town residents feel. Emergency management holds responsibilities at several government levels in any disaster. The local, state and federal emergency management teams work together to coordinate the most effective and thorough plan possible in the event a natural disaster occurs.
HYPOTEHTICAL TOWN SITUATION
In the event of a tornado in Pleasant Town USA the emergency management office has several avenues it must travel to ensure all of its responsibilities are met. The federal, state and local teams all have connections and interactions with each other when a natural disaster occurs. The extent of the involvement of the state and federal offices is directly dependent on the amount of damage being done by the natural disaster. If a tornado hit Pleasant Town USA several things would occur at each level.?"
