Technology in Place Prior 2 Disaster Event - Essay Example

Technology in Place Prior 2 Disaster Event (Who, What, When, Where, Why) Prior to the disaster, people mainly depended on only evaluation process. The scientists had not done search on how to handle such a disaster. There were no forecasts that such a disaster was going to happen and so people should be warned. People had to rescue themselves It was not until the period after the Galveston that marked the beginning of a century of scientific and technological advancement in hurricane forecasting that first and foremost saved lives. "During the first 30 years of the 20th century, the average annual loss of life in US hurricanes was 329. During the next 40 years, the average number of deaths dropped to 70 per year and since 1969, the average has fallen to less than 20". Hurricane research succeeded in prediction and therefore saving lives. People would salvage their property on their own without warning. Those who made it survived and those who were not able to would die. But all the same, New Orleans would not be deserted. People came back after the hurricane to settle down again. Prior to the hurricane, people did not build high walls and canals to drain water. It was not thought of until a research was done after the hurricane. Disasters would strike again and again. People would move away when disaster strikes and come back when it had gone. It is in Virginia Key, FLA. that an accurate hurricane forecasting may be found in the wreckage of its worst failure. Many people died because weather officials did not recognize the powerful dynamics of the storm and failed to warn residents until it was too late to do anything. Homes and businesses were destroyed. Bodies floated in Galveston Bay for days. This is an example of what used to happen long before current technology was used in forecasting and therefore preparing people for such disasters. Discuss Technology Utilized Before, During and After the Event After previous hurricanes, levees, sea walls, pumping systems and satellite hurricane tracking provide a comfort safety margin that has saved many lives. Modern technology and engineering was however an alarming fact. "In the generations since those storms menaced, champagne's ancestors, South Louisiana has been growing more vulnerable to hurricanes, no less". These flood protection efforts here caused sinking land and coastal erosion. These have opened dangerous ways for relatively weak hurricanes and tropical storms to affect new areas inland. A combination of sinking land and rising seas put the Mississippi River Delta very low relative to sea level than it was one century ago and it goes on. It has opened an avenue for the hurricane to proceed to the inland. Having a flood wall divided the Orleans Avenue from the Orleans's Avenue Outfall canal, which is one of the drainage canal that helps to drain storm water into Lake Pontchertrain. This lake helps to back up the canals, resulting in flood waters having a beehive into the heart of the city. In some places such as Shell Beach the owners of Campo Marina raised the clock and Marina shed. This was mainly to stop water from coming up although it is still continues. Computers have shown that there is a threat of flooding across a wide area. Use of digitized maps of the delta landscape from 1800s to a projected map for 2020, has shown how flooding from a hypothetical storm get deeper and spread steadily westward and northward as erosion and subsidence take their toll. Scientists have come up with audacious plans to avert disaster e.g. insurance scientist proposed bisecting New Orleans and Jefferson Parish from East to west with flood wall rising 30ft above sea level starting at the foot of Esplanade Avenue running toward Lake Pont Chatrain and then across the city along the interstate 610 corridor into Metairie. Discuss Who Were The Decision Movers, How Did They Communicate Collaborate With Various Stakeholders. Only recently, the government agencies and political and community leaders mobilized to address people on the risks that are from the storm e.g. the sinking of the coast and the potential catastrophe in the New Orleans area. "The Federal Emergency Management Agency is preparing a plan for the unprecedented response that would be needed if the New Orleans bowl were flooded." The corps have began a study to see whether the levees that surround the New Orleans should be raised so high enough so that they can prevent that scenario. Local scientists are also part of the decision makers. They have forged a consensus with politicians and some businessmen that the region's best shot for long - term survival is a main effort in rebuilding lost marshes and barrier islands. This was to cost $ 14 million. The elected political leaders were also pat of the decision makers. They needed to think together with the planner whether it's worth rebuilding the structures that have been destroyed considering the large cost that would be incurred. The government is a major decision maker. It has to decide how people will be evicted and who are soon and by what means. The stakeholders, who are in this cost the people, get the tips through warning. The research teams take part in informing people on how to handle such a disaster. Guidelines are given as to what one should do to get into safety e.g. making sure they give a contract address to all members of a family incase of a separation after the disaster. This would aid in tracing anyone missing. Quality of decision made by all levels of government and private sector in light of the various technology systems and data available The federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official have started working with state and local agencies in order to come up with plans on what to do when hurricane strikes New Orleans again. Catastrophic disasters totally outstrip local and state resources thus the Federal Government have to play a role. "FEMA is studying evacuation procedures, post disaster rescue strategies, temporary housing and technical issues such as how to pump out water trapped inside the levels." A preliminary report would be completed soon to help in coming up with a good decision by the government on how to handle the disaster. Disaster experts have developed detailed pictures of how a storm could push Lake Pontchartrain over the levees into the city. FEMA mobilized search and rescue teams from across the nation to meet in the city. These included volunteer teams of doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians. They would discuss how the rescuers can get into the city to help in evicting, sector and rescue. From the data given and the technological methods of dealing with hurricane, the rescuers see that there is going to be a problem with stranded survivors even after the storm has passed because of energized electrical wires, contaminated water through sewage and toxic chemicals from industrial plants. A decision has to be made on how evacuation will be done with the above factors posing a threat. An alternative as to how to get rid of floods is by simply blowing holes in the levees or widening existing breaches. These are better than using pumping since its capacity is limited and existing pumping systems are useless. When this decision is made, they would be able to save more lives. Studies are still being carried out as to how best they can deal with the hurricane. Lessons Learned Including What Work and What Didn't, Why and Recommended To Avoid the Same Problems from Accruing In The Future A few lessons were learnt form the hurricane and the following should be observed keenly. One has to accept some responsibility of helping him/herself when such a disaster strikes. One has to know whether it is the first, second or third time that he/she has been asked to vacate. One has to vacate immediately once the alarm has been raised. These should not be an alternative that is acceptable. When one chooses the alternative of not learning, he/ she will end up being casually, dead or a search - and rescue mission. One could survive or die in the process. This is because the buildings were not strong enough to withstand the strong winds from the strong storm. For example "the New Orleans building codes only required houses to withstand wind of 100 Mph, meaning that a strong category to storm with winds between a 100 and 110 Mph, would heavily damage or destroy most homes.'' It is also clear according to the Red Cross that, "operating shelter South of the interstate 10 - interstate is corridor is too dangerous". With a recent study carried out, it is indicated that public refuges of last resort may not be assured that they can withstand winds from a major hurricane. When it rains heavily or when there is a storm surge, flooding can occur. This result in cut off of escape routes and people are likely to get stranded or get trapped in the floods. Some people may seek shelter in rooftops or in trees for many days but they may not survive the storm. This shows that people should always leave when they get warnings of such a disaster. This will not only save their lives but also enable them to secure property that they own in good time. The following tips would also help. One should ensure that their evacuation vehicle would survive the slow trip to a higher ground. One should have contact that can be used by family members incase they are separated after the storm. Families that have sick or elderly people should leave earlier than the rest to he safe. People should prepare water, food, sleeping bags, flashlight, first aid kit etc to use. A waterproof container should be used to sore important papers People who have pets should ensure that there is a safe place for their pets. Trees and shrubbery should be trimmed during hurricane season and things such as toys and other objects should be secure in a secure building. Reference Nola.com (2007): Special Report: Washing Away, Available at, http://www.nola.com/hurricane//washingaway, Accessed on March 13, 2007 Read More