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Connecticut examines ways to bolster electrical grid during disasters –
Following Tropical Storm Irene and the29 October nor’easter that left thousands of homes without power across the northeast, Connecticut is considering new regulations that could bolster the power grid and improve resiliency during natural disasters
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California’s flood-protection system crumbling
California has a patchwork of aging flood-protection system; it was built over the last 150 years by individuals, localities, and the state government; experts say this system, now protecting an estimated $69 billion in assets, is woefully inadequate
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2011 natural disasters cost U.S. insurers more than $32 billion
2011 saw U.S. government set record for disaster declarations; the severity of the disasters set a record as well, with twelve separate billion-dollar weather/climate disasters in 2011, with an aggregate damage total of approximately $52 billion (this number reflects both insured and uninsured losses)
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Buffalo – second best prepared city in U.S. for disasters
Buffalo, New York was recently declared the second best prepared city in the United States for a major terrorist attack or disaster in terms of public health
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California lawmakers work to improve utilities’ disaster preparedness
California lawmakers are considering a bill to better prepare public utilities for emergencies and disasters following a series of severe storms that left thousands without power across the state
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Death toll climbs in Philippines, president orders review
Following the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,000 people, President Benigno Aquino III has ordered a review of the government’s disaster response
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Hosting a holiday disaster kit potluck
Cindi Shank, the executive director of the Southwest Colorado chapter of the American Red Cross, is encouraging local residents to host a party where instead of bringing potluck dishes they bring flashlights and bandages
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Fukushima reaches cold shutdown conditions, critics scoff
Last week Japanese officials declared that the beleaguered Fukushima Daiichi power plant had become stable enough for engineers to complete a “cold shutdown”; officials also stated that the facility had ceased to leak substantial amounts of radiation, a claim received skeptically by critics
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Building earthquake-proof buildings
Researchers in Australia are leading an international project to help identify buildings most vulnerable to earthquakes and the best ways to strengthen them
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Thai health officials prevent outbreaks in historic floods
Thanks to Thailand’s aggressive public health and emergency response operations, the country managed successfully to prevent disease outbreaks following record floods
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New York moves swiftly to spend Hurricane disaster funds
Less than a week after Hurricane Irene blasted New York with wind and rain, state emergency officials had authorized disaster relief funds and were swiftly distributing them to hard hit farmers and residents
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Developing prototype for early warning quake system
In an effort to help catalyze the creation of an early warning earthquake system along the West Coast, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation recently awarded $6 million to three universities in the quake prone region
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Officials say D.C. prepared for disasters following earthquake and snowstorm
This year a massive snowstorm and earthquake left D.C. residents stuck in traffic for hours as they attempted to leave the city, but emergency officials say they are better prepared for future disasters because of those incidents
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Decontaminating radiation-laced water at Fukushima Daiichi
Thanks to special radiation devices, made by UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, cleanup crews in Japan have been able to treat five million gallons of water contaminated by radiation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
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Disaster evacuation plans need to incorporate family perspectives
A recent study sponsored by the National Science Foundation found that most respondents felt the evacuation of New Orleans residents to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina was a “failure” and this opinion has shaped their willingness to accept shelter if offered in an emergency evacuation
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The long view
Huge Areas May Face Possibly Fatal Heat Waves if Warming Continues
A new assessment warns that if Earth’s average temperature reaches 2 degrees C over the preindustrial average, widespread areas may become too hot during extreme heat events for many people to survive without artificial cooling.
Trump’s Cuts to Federal Wildfire Crews Could Have “Scary” Consequences
President Donald Trump’s moves to slash the federal workforce have gutted the ranks of wildland firefighters and support personnel, fire professionals warn, leaving communities to face deadly consequences when big blazes arrive this summer. States, tribes and fire chiefs are preparing for a fire season with minimal federal support.