Showing papers on "Natural disaster published in 1996"

Environmental hazards : assessing risk and reducing disaster

Abstract: Part One: The Nature of Hazard 1. Hazard in the Environment 2. Dimensions of Disaster 3. Complexity, Sustainability and Vulnerability 4. Risk Assessment and Management 5. Reducing the Impacts of Disaster Part Two: The Experience and Reduction of Hazard 6. Tectonic Hazards - Earthquakes and Tsunamis 7. Tectonic Hazards - Volcanoes 8. Landslide and Avalanche Hazards 9. Severe Storm Hazards 10. Weather Extremes, Disease Epidemics and Wildfires 11. Hydrological Hazards - Floods 12. Hydrological Hazards - Droughts 13. Technological Hazards 14. Environmental Hazards in a Changing World Bibliography Index

Demographic effects of natural disasters: a case study of Hurricane Andrew

Abstract: Many studies have considered the economic, social, and psychological effects of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters, but few have considered their demographic effects. In this paper we describe and evaluate a method for measuring the effects of Hurricane Andrew on the housing stock and population distribution in Dade County, Florida. Using information collected through sample surveys and from other data sources, we investigate the extent of housing damages, the number of people forced out of their homes, where they went, how long they stayed, and whether they returned to their prehurricane residences. We conclude that more than half the housing units in Dade County were damaged by Hurricane Andrew; that more than 353,000 people were forced to leave their homes, at least temporarily; and that almost 40,000 people left the county permanently as a direct result of the hurricane. We believe that this study will provide methodological guidance to analysts studying the demographic effects of other large-scale natural disasters.

The Role of Government Contracts in Discretionary Reinsurance Markets for Natural Disasters

Abstract: A recent surge in natural disaster losses in the United States has created widespread disruptions in the property insurance market and generated calls for federal protection against natural disaster risk. This article examines the market for disaster insurance in the United States and finds that insurance markets are limited in their ability to intertemporally diversify catastrophic risk. In a targeted response, this article proposes a new form of federal reinsurance based on the auctioning of multiple peril catastrophe call spread options that cover industry losses in the range of $25-$50 billion. This article argues that the sale of these catastrophe excess-of-loss contracts utilizes the unique intertemporal diversification capabilities of the federal government to expand the market for natural disaster risk while enhancing the private market equilibrium for insurance.

A methodology for drought preparedness

Abstract: Drought is a normal, recurrent feature of climate that affects virtually all countries to some degree. The number of drought-induced natural disasters has grown significantly since the 1960s, largely as a result of increasing vulnerability to extended periods of precipitation deficiency rather than because of an increase in the frequency of meteorological droughts. This increase in drought-induced natural disasters has resulted in a considerable growth of interest in drought mitigation and preparedness worldwide. The purpose of a national preparedness plan is to reduce societal vulnerability to drought through the adoption of preventive, anticipatory policies and programs. This paper describes a ten-step planning process that nations can follow to develop a drought preparedness plan. This process, originally developed in 1987, has been the basis of discussions at training seminars on drought preparedness for developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It has also been adopted, with appropriate modifications, by state or provincial governments and by municipalities. The process is intended to be flexible so that governments can add, delete, or modify the suggested steps, as necessary.

Natural Disasters as Focusing Events: Policy Communities and Political Response

Abstract: This article explains how large hurricanes and earthquakes influence Congressional agenda activity. By understanding these events as focusing events, we can better appreciate how they induce the news media and Congress to be more attentive to these disasters. While the theory of focusing events outlined here is broadly supported, considerable differences are found between the hurricane and earthquake fields. These differences turn on the political environment in which federal policy to address these disasters is made, and include the nature of the committees charged with policy-making, the nature of testimony offered before the committees, and the nature of the professional communities that are most active in this policy-making. These differences help to explain why there is greater federal involvement in earthquake policy-making than in hurricane policy. The policy implications of these differences are considered. Language: en

The Reclamation Drought Index: Guidelines and Practical Applications

Abstract: Drought is a familiar occurrence that lacks the drama and immediacy of other natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, but the economic repercussions can be equally devastating. The Reclamation States Drought Assistance Act of 1988 was passed in response to the widespread drought conditions that much of the United States experienced in 1987 and 1988. The act allowed individual states to seek assistance in the form of financial aid and resource management from the federal government for the purpose of mitigating the effects of drought. The Reclamation Drought Index (RDI) was developed for possible future use as a trigger in determining when a drought is severe enough for an area to receive emergency drought relief funds from the federal government. This paper presents an example of the usage of the RDI, and the guidelines that should be followed when calculating and applying the index.

Reduction And Predictability Of Natural Disasters

Abstract: Within the past five years, the international community has recognized that it may be possible, through programs of systematic study, to devise means to reduce and mitigate the occurrence of a variety of devastating natural hazards Among these disasters are earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and landslides The importance of these studies is underscored by the fact that within fifty years, more than a third of the world’s population will live in seismically and volcanically active zones The International Council of Scientific Unions, together with UNESCO and the World Bank, have therefore endorsed the 1990s as the International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), and are planning a variety of programs to address problems related to the predictability and mitigation of these disasters, particularly in third-world countries Parallel programs have begun in a number of US agencies

What is a natural disaster

Abstract: Steinberg queries the distinction between natural and human-engineered disasters. Using evidence of floods caused by artificial dams, rain created by cloud seeding, and hurricanes affected by weather control projects, the author suggests that humans are altering the weather and unself-consciously contributing to natural disasters such as floods and droughts. This essay traces the history of natural disasters to underline the changing attitudes towards environmental events during the last two hundred years and distinguishes among weather events perceived to be Acts of God, neutral events, or human-engineered events.

Disasters, the environment, and public health: improving our response.

Abstract: Natural and human-made disasters continue to adversely affect all areas of the world in both predictable and unpredictable ways. To highlight the importance of natural disasters, the United Nations declared the 1990s the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction. This paper considers the public health response to disasters. It highlights environmental health issues and approaches since disasters are extreme environmental events, and it reviews developments relating to capacity building, training, and collaboration. Although progress is noted, a comprehensive federal or academic approach is not evident in the United States and the proper linkage to environmental health is lacking. With the International Decade now half over, public health professionals and others involved with disaster management should reflect on progress made to date and goals for the future.

Predictors of Rural Community Survival After Natural Disaster

Abstract: SUMMARY The Great Flood of 1993 not only devastated much of the midwest, it profoundly changed the social fabric of hundreds of river communities. Why some survived and others did not and the relationship of those outcomes to classic crisis intervention theory is the subject of this year-long qualitative study of eight representative Missouri towns.

Demography of disaster: Population estimates after hurricane Andrew

Abstract: Hurricane Andrew blasted through the southern tip of Florida in August 1992, damaging or destroying tens of thousands of homes and forcing hundreds of thousands of persons to move at least temporarily to different places of residence. The hurricane not only disrupted the lives of many Floridians, but destroyed the statistical basis for producing local population estimates in South Florida as well. These estimates are used for many types of decision-making, from the distribution of state revenue-sharing dollars to choosing sites for fast-food restaurants. This article describes the estimation problems created by the hurricane and how those problems were resolved through the use of existing data sources and the collection of new types of data. It closes with a discussion of several conceptual, methodological and procedural issues that will have to be faced in virtually any attempt to estimate the demographic consequences of natural disasters.

Research as Social Action in the Aftermath of Hurricane Andrew

Abstract: A study conducted 14 months after Hurricane Andrew examined the long term impact of this natural disaster on the homeless in the hardest hit areas of South Florida. The effects of a natural disaste...

The Social Impacts Of Physical Processes: How Do We Manage What We Can't Control?

Abstract: A presentation on how to make our communities less vulnerable to natural disasters. Begins with a discussion of the definition of disaster and with an outline of the national strategies that have been used to date to encourage state and local governments to reduce threats from natural hazards.

Peoples' Perception and Response to Floodings: The Bangladesh Experience

Abstract: Bangladesh, a test case of disaster management, has been continuously internalizing lessons learned by the people, the bureaucracy and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), after successfully responding to major natural disasters, particularly floods. The unprecedented flood of 1988 was a great educator to almost all stakeholders in Bangladesh. Since then, it has improved its capacity to cope with disasters despite some failures in its management of the macro-economy and governance. Credit goes mostly to the ordinary people whose resilience and creativity during and after disasters have been quite heroic. This paper makes an attempt at documenting peoples’perception and response to major floods at different stages of the crisis. An illustrative plan for coping with flood disasters encompassing these stages has also been designed and outlined in this paper.

Coping with Natural Disaster Warnings: The Nature of Human Response and Psychological Preparedness

Abstract: This paper examines a neglected area of natural disaster research in Australia the nature of human response to natural disaster risk communications, with a particular focus on tropical cyclone warning messages and preparedness. The paper provides two windows on ongoing social science research initiatives in North Queensland which address the incidence and human impact of severe cyclone warning situations, and the need for the provision of psychological information along with conventional natural disaster warning messages to foster psychological as well as situational preparedness and mitigate traumatic stress. Reasons for the non utilisation of social science wisdom and research findings in natural disaster warning communications and public educationaI materials are briefly explored, and specific recommendations are made for broadening our thinking about the event status of severe cyclone warning situations and enhancing the effectiveness of cyclone warning and preparedness strategies.

Posthurricane Burnout: An Island Township's Experience

Abstract: In one of the first intensive data collections from an entire town's population on the anniversary of a natural disaster, questionnaires were mailed at the start of a new hurricane season to reside...

No Grand Central stations

Abstract: Reflecting on the lessons of the Kobe (1995), Mexico City (1985), Northridge (1994), and Loma Prieta (1989) earthquakes, two social scientists have proposed that societies invert the traditional way information is communicated in the hours and days after a natural disaster. Rather than the usual top-down, military-style, need-to-know approach to sharing information in the wake of a disaster, the researchers suggest that emergency communications should be decentralized into an “open access” system to serve leaders and ordinary citizens alike.

Trends and fatality of natural disasters in the Arab world

Abstract: Examines attitudes to disasters in Arab countries and argues that they are frequently not reported and therefore not analysed in sufficient detail. Using data from the US Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance describes the types and frequency of natural disasters throughout the Arab world. Concentrates on drought as this is by far the largest cause of fatalities in the region. Outlines current policies regarding disaster prevention and management and concludes by suggesting ways in which the present situation could be improved.

Contemporary Assessment of Tsunami Risk for Australia and its Island Territories

Abstract: As part of Australia's contribution to the United Nation's International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) 1990-2000, Emergency Management Australia's Australian IDNDR Co-ordination Committee has specifically directed one project to assess the risk of tsunamis on the shorelines of Australia and its island territories. This necessitated a multi-disciplinary approach to quantitatively and qualitatively define the hazard and the vulnerability. Tide-gauge records were examined for evidence of tsunami wave signatures and available anecdotal information gathered. More than 350 earthquakes occurring in the Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans and local to the shores of Australia were considered for possible tsunami recordings. More detailed analyses were made of the well-known events - such as the 1960 Chile, 1977 Samba and 1994 East Java earthquakes. Submarine volcanoes and landslides were also considered. Relationships between relevant tsunami parameters are being developed. These hazard assessments, together with tsunami travel time charts and environmental considerations regarding vulnerability, are the information resources necessary for policy-makers to improve the tsunami warning system. They will also be of practical value to emergency services authorities in the event of a future potentially damaging tsunami on our shorelines.

Telecommunications Issues in Disaster Management: A Person-relative-to-Event (PrE) Perspective

Abstract: The individual preparedness for the possible occurrence of damaging earthquakes and other types of natural disasters are studied with particular emphasis on persuasive communication and telecommunication factors. The A Person-relative-to-Event (PrE) model is used to cope with the threat of these increases and specific telecommunication factors that are involved in such increases as applied to emergency management of other natural and man-made disasters and hazards.

The Social Impacts of Extreme Physical Events

Abstract: Good morning. It is indeed a pleasure to be with you today to discuss a topic that has absorbed a great deal of my attention over the years--namely, how do we make our communities less vulnerable to natural disasters. my presentation today suggests a slightly new direction for these efforts, one that I believe is absolutely crucial if we truly want to provide a policy climate that is actually conducive to taking the steps necessary to achieve reduce disaster impacts on our built and social environments.

The Role of the U.S. Army Medical Department in Domestic Disaster Assistance Operations. Lessons Learned from Hurricane Andrew.

Abstract: : Hurricane Andrew, which struck South Dade County, Florida on the morning of 24 August 1992, was the 'worst natural disaster ever to hit the United States...' The capabilities of the local and state governments to respond to the disaster were quickly overwhelmed and federal assistance was requested. Due to the scope of the disaster massive Department of Defense (DoD) support was required. This paper reviews the history of Federal disaster relief legislation and DoD's role in domestic disaster support. It reviews the Federal Response Plan with emphasis on Emergency Support Function & (Health and Medical). The study also addresses the Army Medical Department's role in the Hurricane Andrew operations and closes with a review of the medically related Joint Uniform Lessons Learned and the current status of actions to address those Lessons Learned.

Tallying Up the Cost of Hurricane Andrew

Abstract: Hurricane Andrew, which struck the Miami Metropolitan Area (Dade County) in August 1992, is regarded as the most costly natural disaster the nation has ever experienced. Damage has been estimated at 32 billion dollars, most of it to the county's southern half. The scale of the long-term loss of shelter to its inhabitants has sometimes been compared to that which followed the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, and certainly is the greatest loss to a United States city since that disaster.

Does the hazard change with new legislation? —The New Zealand experience

Abstract: 2 1. In this the fourth year of the Decade, New Zealand has put in place a number of legislative vehicles to achieve the immediate IDNDR targets, and to work towards the long-term goals of the Caring for the Earth strategy and Agenda 21. 2. New Zealand has a system of “nested” plans at all levels of government, dealing with anticipatory measures and provisions guiding communities in their preparation and response to natural disasters. 3. Individual and community responsibility for developing strategies are encouraged by school education programmes, active civil defence volunteers at a local level, regional planning for facilitating and coordinating response, and national coordination in the event of major disasters. In addition, any emergency actions carried out in the event of a natural disaster must be remedied. 4. There is close collaboration between all levels of planning. However, as the Acts are implemented, there will be different styles of collaboration not yet apparent. 5. Protection of natural habitats is mainly provided for in the policy statements and plans at the regional and local levels of planning under the Resource Management Act. Civil Defence Plans would be developed taking this into account. 6. Improved understanding of natural processes requires an ongoing process of public education and explanation of issues, objectives and policies about natural hazards. 7. The Resource Management Act provides mainly for the avoidance of natural hazards in planning for use of natural and physical resources. It is based on river catchments, an important IUCN requirement for sub-national planning. The Civil Defence Act reinforces the need for individuals to develop a sense of personal responsibility for avoiding and mitigating the effects of natural hazards. Over the Decade, there should gradually be less government regulation of land uses and activities and less government funding in the event of individual disasters. 8. There are concerns that as government funding of programmes diminishes, there will not be a corresponding increase in private investment in insurance, research and collaboration. In the event of natural disaster occuring before alternative systems are developed, individuals and communities may suffer hardship.

The National Guard In Disaster Relief Operations, Hurricane Iniki. A Case Study.

Abstract: : During the period from 6 September to 6 November 1992, the Hawaii National Guard (HING) participated in joint disaster relief operations on the island of Kauai after Hurricane Iniki. The devastation was the worst ever recorded in Hawaii and at the time, ranked as the third worst natural disaster ever to strike the United States. The purpose of this paper is to familiarize the reader with the civil-military role of the National Guard (NG) in domestic emergencies. Using the Iniki disaster as a case study, it examines the unique state mission of the NG and the conditions under which it is employed. Using the HING as an example, the paper covers the organization of the NG within a state and reviews its capabilities in disaster response. The paper also provides an overview of the roles of the state, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the active component military, and other agencies in a domestic disaster after a federal emergency is declared. Finally, the paper shares some of the significant lessons learned by the HING, state, and federal organizations.

Improvement of Earthquake-Tsunami Warning Systems and Humanware Management

Abstract: Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the importance of improving earthquake-Tsunami warning systems and human ware management. In 1993 and 1994, Japan encountered two earthquakes in Hokkaido Island, both accompanied by tsunamis. There were sequential events in the process of communication in which every event seemed to enlarge the disaster damage. For the issue of tsunami warning by JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency), it took about ten minutes after earthquakes, which eventually added up to the damage. Therefore, in the tsunami-prone area with the threat of immediate coming tsunamis, it is necessary for residents to evacuate by themselves without waiting for announcement of tsunami warning. To mitigate the human damage due to immediate coming tsunamis or well-prepared tsunamis after earthquake, it is necessary to arrange tsunami evacuation manuals in every local area. In the tsunami-prone areas, the highest height and the shortest arrival time of tsunamis are very useful knowledge to take a quick refuge just after earthquake. The evacuation manuals are prepared with these practical informations. There are several problem associated with Tsunami warning systems that are also highlighted in the chapter. Humanware is very important to manage catastrophic disaster and to reduce human damages and get quick rehabilitation. Numerical simulation technique is gives practical information about tsunami behavior, such as the highest tsunami and the shortest arrival time. Disaster management also aids in mitigating tsunami damage. This includes hardware, software, humanware, and commandware management. Japan also had a first experience of Hanshin–Awaji earthquake disaster as urban disasters on 17 January 1995. The human and property damages were quite huge. The lesson from the 1995 Hanshin–Awaji earthquake disaster is summarized as safety, land, network, redundancy, and vulnerability. Therefore, as our society has become well, every resident has to be equipped with adequate knowledge about natural disasters to avoid such large parameters of destruction in the future.

Civil Engineering and Disaster Responses in Developing Countries

Abstract: This paper raises issues of how natural disasters affect developing countries. Responses to natural disasters, disaster risk, and the role of disaster research and practice are identified. Civil en...