Most communities face many types of disasters. It is important to learn the risks specific to your community whether it’s flooding, tornadoes, or hurricanes. Learning from these natural disaster lessons helps improve future training and protocol. Using these crisis management case studies will improve disaster response strategies.
Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy hit the U.S. in 2012. Severe wind, rain, and water destroyed homes, left hundreds of thousands of people without power, damaged critical public and private infrastructure, and left many people vulnerable with limited access to food, drinking water, health care, and other critical services.
Lessons Learned
Communities must be self-reliant for at least three days (or longer): Communities can request state and Federal government disaster assistance during severe weather emergencies when local resources are exhausted or require additional support. However, these requests are not immediate. Applying for assistance takes time and requested resources depend on preliminary damage assessments.
Unexpected buildings may become shelters: Certain buildings, such as libraries, community centers, or other public buildings become a last resort for shelters. For example, a fire department may be forced to become a shelter and firefighters will need to train to become a place people turn to when community and infrastructure fail. Firefighters, or other public employees, may find themselves managing shelters and providing mass care for survivors in ill-equipped facilities for survivor comfort.
Be prepared for unexpected challenges: During Superstorm Sandy, many emergency services faced challenges where they were not prepared or properly equipped. Training provides first responders, emergency management officials, private and nongovernmental partners, and other personnel with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for crisis management. Organizations should make training decisions based on assessments, strategies, lessons from natural disasters, and plans developed in previous preparedness cycles.
Alabama-Georgia Tornadoes
The 2011 Alabama-Georgia tornado outbreak was one of the most devastating tornado outbreak days in U.S. history. From April 25th to 28th, there were 178 tornadoes.
Despite planning, staffing, training, and equipment, this disaster exceeded almost every community’s self-sufficiency. The state emergency management agencies, mutual-aid organizations, FEMA assistance, and work by local responders and citizens contributed to the local successes.
Lessons Learned
Public works departments must have an incident command system (ICS) in place: Natural disasters quickly turn into public works events. Public works personnel must be prepared to participate in ICS, as well as take an active role in leading recovery efforts.
Address lack of preparedness: Some communities were better prepared to face the natural disaster than others. Many responders admitted that they didn’t know the details of their community Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). Communities with staffed emergency management offices, strategic plans, and a training program were well prepared, while other communities explained that emergency operation planning was nonexistent.
The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
In 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, struck the northeastern coast of Japan. The quake was followed by a tsunami and damaged nuclear power plants, resulting in radiation leakage.
Around 20,000 people were declared dead or missing due to the disaster. In addition, around 122,000 buildings were destroyed and more than 280,000 suffered severe damage. Despite the high loss of life and property damage, Japan’s advanced disaster response prevented further devastation.
For example, the country’s disaster risk management system emphasizes the importance of:
- Investing in structural measures such as reinforced buildings and seawalls.
- Advancements in risk assessments, early warning systems, and hazard mapping.
- Building sophisticated tools for data collection, simulation, communication, and scenario planning to assess risks and coordinate responses (e.g., evacuations).
- Encouraging communities, schools, and workplaces to engage in emergency preparedness such as practicing evacuation drills.
- Ensuring legislation that mitigates the effects of disaster is in place and enforced.
Lessons Learned
Investing in preventative measures works: Reinforced buildings, seawalls, and early warning systems reduced casualties and damage. For example, all bullet trains stopped safely during the earthquake without casualties.
There are limits to structural solutions: While investing in infrastructure significantly decreases the risks of a natural disaster, it is not the only solution. The earthquake also demonstrated the value of community-based evacuation plans, education, and communication.
Emphasizing learning saves lives: Japan has invested in data collection, allowing them to revise their hazard assessments and scenario planning. Using this data improves policies, laws, regulations, and decision-making processes.
Pre-established frameworks are essential: Coordinating government bodies, volunteer-based groups, international agencies, and community groups can be challenging. However, ensuring all stakeholders have clear roles and responsibilities is pivotal in managing shelters, evacuation, and disaster recovery.
Protect vulnerable groups: The 2011 earthquake highlighted the importance of keeping vulnerable populations safe. Two-thirds of fatalities were among people over the age of 60. When managing a crisis, it’s important to remember vulnerable populations and how they may have unique needs during a disaster.
Want to learn more about disaster preparedness? Visit the QuickSeries library where we equip you with the tools necessary to handle and respond to a crisis. Get an all-hazards overview designed to help you prepare, plan, and respond to an event or disaster.