National Partnership for Reinventing Government
July 17, 2000
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Averting Disaster Damage in Tillamook County — a Case Study Floods in Tillamook County, Oregon, in the winter of 1996, forced thousands of people from their homes, destroyed highways and businesses, and drowned more than 700 dairy cows. Federal help covered about $8 million, but uncompensated losses totaled $53 million - a devastating blow for a small county of 25,000 people with average incomes of $18,000 a year. |
The Perfect Storm Plan
Storms happen. So do other disasters.
In the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, it’s wise to be alert — and prepared.
The storm that took Captain Billy Tyne by surprise off the coast of Nova Scotia in October 1991 was more than a hurricane. It was a puzzling convergence of weather conditions so rare that scientists have called it the "perfect storm."
Billy and his small crew on the Andrea Gail perished in waves more than 100 feet high. The boat was never found. This true story was first a book, and now a hit movie. The Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service had important roles — government workers just doing their job, and a heroic one at that.
FEMA: The Emergency Preparedness Hub
Preparedness is the answer to reducing the loss of lives and property when disasters hit. The agency that is charged with helping us survive disasters is also charged with helping us get ready for them — the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Both FEMA and the National Weather Service are designated high impact agencies (HIAs) by the National Partnership for Reinventing Government. A HIA is an agency that serves a large majority of Americans.
Much can be done to prevent or reduce the impact of disasters, the loss and suffering - to manage emergencies and disasters, says FEMA Director James Lee Witt.
FEMA works with other federal agencies, state, and local emergency management agencies, and local governments to help communities get ready for disasters.
They need to plan. So do individuals.
The government websites below will help you make the perfect disaster-preparedness plan.
Disaster Preparedness, Relief, and Recovery
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA works with 26 federal agencies, local governments, and 1000 private sector partners to make 200 communities disaster-resistant.
FEMA’S National Flood Insurance Program
Most hurricane damage comes from flooding, not winds. Get insurance now.
As each disaster approaches or hits, this site has news, warnings, briefings, preparedness, evacuation tips (including animals), emergency response updates, and links to other sites.
Supporting Special Needs and Vulnerable Populations (9 languages)
National Interagency Fire Center
Wildland Fire Prevention and Education
U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers
The U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) works closely with the FEMA in response
and recovery missions.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Administration on Aging
Department of Agriculture
U.S. Geological Survey
Geographic Information Systems
GIS software products can turn raw data about populations, highways, biological resources, disease, the environment, and crime statistics into understandable maps or displays that can support community planning. An example is where to develop flood control and where to protect specific property.
American Red Cross
Red Cross Disaster Services Guide
This guide is a resource for anyone providing disaster safety information to the public. You’ll find a family disaster plan, a disaster supply kit, and a lot of information about preparing for disasters of all kinds.
This guide represents the hard work and collaboration of many professionals affiliated with the organizations that founded the National Disaster Education Coalition:
National Governors Association Emergency Management Best Practices
Online Storm Alerts and Tracking
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service homepage
The National Weather Service provides warnings and forecast of hazardous weather, including thunderstorms, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter weather, tsunamis, and climate events. The National Weather Service is the official voice for issuing warnings during life threatening weather situations in the United States.
National Weather Service Administration Sites
National Weather Service Active Warnings
Weather Information Super Highway
Information on Buying a NOAA Weather Radio Receiver
National Hurricane Center Tropical Prediction Center
This server maintains a current database of meteorological and hydrological data, historical data, and written information generated by the National Weather Service or received from other official sources. In addition, this server accesses in real-time a selection of current official weather observations, forecasts, and warnings from U.S. government sources for use by the national and international community.
NOAA’s National Environmental, Satellite, Data, and Information Service
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
USGS’s Center for Integration of Natural Disaster Information (CINDI)
This website is a gateway to a variety of information about earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, geomagnetic storms, epidemics, volcanic eruptions, and other natural hazards and disasters. Scientific information produced by the U.S. Geological Survey is emphasized, but the site links to information from other public and private sources.
Coast Guard
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Stories
NOAA Meteorologists Recall Drama of Forecasting "The Perfect Storm"
Rented Emergency Beacon Leads to Rescue of Boater, NOAA Reports
NOAA Weather Radio: A Lifesaver for the Cost of a Pair of Shoes
Other Links
State Hurricane or Disaster Sites
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
California Fire and Emergency Response
Delaware Natural Disasters (with Hurricane PDF)
Massachusettes - Under construction
About the Author
List compiled by Patricia B. Wood, editor, Access America E-Gov E-Zine. Pat is a member of the Communications Team at the National Partnership for Reinventing Government. You may reach her at pat.wood@npr.gov or (202) 694-0063.
Press Contact: Kelly Paisley, National Partnership for Reinventing Government, kelly.paisley@npr.gov or (202) 694-0051.