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OMB outlines risk assessment proposal
OMB circulates a proposal detailing how government agencies should assess risk to public security and welfare as they formulate policies and regulations; wouldn’t be a bad idea for the private sector to adopt a similar approach
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Insurance industry divided over federal backstop for disaster coverage
In the wake of 9/11 Congress created a federal backstop “Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA)” for disaster coverage. It was meant to be a temporary measure, but the insurance industry and developers became fond of it, and pushed for its extension last December; division now open among insurers on whether this was a good idea
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Big Blue acquires Classic Blue
IBM Australia acquires disaster recovery company with more than 300 corporate clients
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Disaster performance wins awards
Yes, virtue is its own reward, but it is good to know that there are other rewards as well
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Having business continuity plans is not enough
More and more enterprises develop business continuity plans, but very few of them test these plans in the field
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DHS pushes cities to develop regional disaster recovery plans
DHS insists that cities applying for urban security grants coordinate their disaster and recovery programs with neighboring cities so that they can present a regional disaster recovery plans in their application
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In post-Katrina shift, DHS to consider risk of natural disasters in grants to cities
When DHS absorbed FEMA in 2003, the agency was marginalized, the quality of its leadership declined, and its emphasis on natural disasters was eclipsed by the new emphasis on terrorism; DHS is now trying to recreate an agency with more balance between terrorism and natural disasters
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RAND, Gulf Coast schools to establish center to study long-term hurricane recovery issues
Most of the recovery and rebuilding activities along the Gulf Coast are addressing short-term needs. RAND and seven regional universities have created an institute to look into long-term recovery and rebuilding issues
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Highlights of $29 billion DoD budget hurricane recovery assistance
DoD bill approved Monday contains billions of dollars for Gulf recovery; here are some of the items to be funded by the bill
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Senate passes modified TRIA extension version
White House-backed Senate version of TRIA would extend government backstop of terrorism insurance by two years, increasing the amount to be paid by private insurance companies, and excluding certain items from coverage
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House establishes corporation to redevelop Gulf Coast
Congress creates a government-run corporation to run rebuilding and development efforts in Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast
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House committee report finds Red Cross ill-prepared for disaster relief
Minority staff report harshly critical of Red Cross’ ability to cope with mass-casualty disasters
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Illinois town short on funds for first response team
Where there is a will, there is not always a way: Small Illinois town wants first response capabilities but has no money to pay for them
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Experts urge the inclusion of social science insights into disaster planning
In Japan they wear face masks; in the U.S. they do not — this and other insights from cultural studies should be incorporated into disaster planning, experts argue
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The long view
A Preview of What’s to Come: Climate Change Helped Intensify Hurricane Ida
Hurricane Ida started as a disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean quickly grew to what could be the worst hurricane to hit Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. While scientists are uncertain whether climate change will increase the frequency of hurricanes, one thing is clear: Climate change is here, and it’s making these storms stronger and more destructive.
Threat of Catastrophic Supervolcano Eruptions Ever-Present
Supervolcanoes remain active and hazardous for thousands of years after a super-eruption, prompting the need for a rethink of how these potentially catastrophic events are predicted.
Improving Florida’s Hurricane Resilience: Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Infrastructure
When events like tropical storms or other unforeseen crises disrupt a state’s primary supply of gasoline and diesel, emergency fleet efforts can become hampered as access to fuel is restricted or completely unavailable.
Hitting a Bullseye with Closed Eyes
Recently NASA updated its forecast of the chances that the asteroid Bennu, one of the two most hazardous known objects in our solar system, will hit Earth in the next 300 years. New calculations put the odds at 1 in 1,750, a figure slightly higher than previously thought. Two statisticians put into perspective the chances of asteroid Bennu striking Earth in next 300 years.
Science’s Answers to Flood Disaster
On 14 July 2021, between 60 and 180 mm of rain fell in the Eifel region in just 22 hours - an amount that would otherwise have fallen in several months and which led to catastrophic flooding. The events were far more destructive than existing models had predicted.