There is no denying we have had one of the most active hurricane seasons on record in 2020. So far, we have seen 26 tropical or subtropical cyclones, 25 named storms, 9 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. As Hurricane Delta bears down on the Gulf, it is important to note that not everyone has been as prepared as they should be and we have made several assumptions about the publics’ ability to prepare for and respond to compounding disasters (technological, biological, natural).
A quick look at the storm footage and visits to the damaged areas quickly reveal where we have fallen short. Boats not tied down correctly are washed into front yards, above ground telephone poles are snapped in half, insulation and roofing litter the streets, and non-secured yard objects are projectiles in the windows of a neighboring house. So, in a place like coastal Alabama and Mississippi, where storms are not a new occurrence and residents are familiar with the drill, what is happening?
If you were to take a moment and ask a storm survivor about their experience, the common answer is “We were just not prepared.” And can we really blame anyone for this answer? We pull together forecasts, build websites, create apps and an array of tools to aid in preparation, but there is always one thing missing: practice. If we want to enhance our ability to respond to future storms, then shouldn’t we do the same thing we would do with any other skill we are trying to master? Why have we become so complacent when it comes to preparing properly for storms? To be fair, there are faults at all levels of government but the real practice we need to encourage comes at the household level.
Sea Grant wants to improve individuals’ capacity to respond. Toward that end, we have been documenting all the “points of weakness” when it comes to household level response. For example, who do you depend on most immediately following a disaster? If it is within the first 72 hours, it is your neighbor. Many people do not even know their neighbors’ names, much less have any idea if they have a generator, know how to work a chainsaw or could call on them to assist with debris removal. So, this is an appropriate starting point: building neighborhood resilience.
Sea Grant is working to prepare a curriculum that builds healthy and resilient communities one block at a time. By starting with the basic skills an individual needs to fully prepare for a storm, we will train neighborhood residents to be ready and resilient so they can assist those around them.
Unlike the static resources we find on web pages, practicing these skills using scenarios will ensure community members can spring into action. Trained individuals will be able to answer questions such as: How long do we need to boil water before we can drink it? How do you turn on a grinder pump? How do you turn off the water to your house? What is the safest way to use a chainsaw? What kind of fuel should I use in my generator? When someone new moves to their neighborhood, these individuals will be storm liaisons to assist by making sure new owners are aware of the potential risk and how to mitigate them.
In short, we are going back to the basics. We’ve made a lot of assumptions about what people know how to do in the event of an oncoming storm. It is time to put into practice the important skills we know can lead to a quicker recovery and better experience after the storm. Stay tuned for how you can become involved and even become a neighborhood asset.
Meet the author
Tracie Sempier, Ph.D.
Resilience Engagement Lead
Tracie Sempier serves as the resilience engagement lead at Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant. She engages with communities to help them become more resilient and works to decrease negative impacts of... Read more
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