Post 9

Respond to at least one peer by supporting agreement or polite disagreement and adding additional information and ideas to further the discussion.( write me up a paragraph responding to this post below ).

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that mainly affect the United States’ southeastern region, occasionally making their way to more northern coastal states. According to a 2017 article by Brandon Griggs of CNN, Virginia has experienced 13 direct hurricane hits since 1851. Along with the high winds and heavy rainfall hurricanes can produce, they may spawn tornadoes, floods, and landslides (Hurricanes).

Preparation for a hurricane is best when done before the season begins, from June 1st and continues through November 30th. Necessary preparations include having emergency kits for homes and cars. Items beneficial for home emergency kits include water, food, first aid supplies and medications, clothing and bedding, tool and emergency supplies, and important family documentation. Car emergency kit necessities include blankets, a first aid kit, booster cables, cell phone charger, tool kit, water, canned or dried food and a can opener, and a flashlight and extra batteries (Virginia Department of Health). More elaborate preparations include bringing loose, lightweight items inside and anchoring items that cannot come inside, trimming trees, cleaning and securing rain gutters, purchasing a portable generator, and documenting the home’s condition before the storm (Hurricanes).

Evacuation laws and procedures are crucial to the safety of individuals and communities before a hurricane. Maintaining order during natural disasters minimizes the chances of illness, injury, disability, and premature death.  The Emergency Services and Disaster Law allows the Governor to proclaim and publish rules and regulations in the event of a disaster. This law put much power into the Governor’s hands to decided where funds and resources should be allocated first. This law’s construction can be viewed as both positive and negative because every individual and community may feel as though their situation requires immediate attention.

Response from local, state, and federal agencies are critical during times of disaster. The National Emergency Management System (NIMS) provides funding to local and state governments that adopt their system. NIMS is crucial as it would allow for more resources to be provided to Virginia after a hurricane.   At the federal level, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may assist with grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, medical, and many other serious disaster-related expenses. FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program provides state government, local government, and private non-profit programs funds to aid in rapid responses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also makes preparations to provide food, housing, and farmer and rancher assistance.  On the state level, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) The local Red Cross is usually the first to mobilize, providing shelter, food, and comfort to families displaced by hurricanes. Other organizations like the Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VaVOAD) comprise many organizations with different skills and expertise to aid in service after disasters.

Communication and efforts to protect at-risk populations like those in senior care centers should be improved. Working in a long term care facility during a low-level hurricane allowed me to experience how hectic things can become in disaster situations on a small scale. In a large-scale case like hurricane Katrina, it was noted that nursing homes were not included in community planning or recognized as community health care resources (Laditka, S. B. et al., 2008). The hurricane’s aftereffects on the nursing home were insufficient supplies, medication, information, and limited communication. As the most vulnerable population, there should be more effort to integrate nursing facilities into community disaster planning and an emergency priority similar to hospitals.