Unit VII Emergency Management

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School

Columbia Southern University *

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Course

EMG 6301

Subject

Geography

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

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3

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Disaster Recovering from a natural disaster is not easy in any situation. A lot goes into the recovery process at every level of government from the federal level to the local level. Much of what happens after a natural disaster is out of the general public’s ability to decide. For this reason, all levels of government should have a well discussed and communicated plan to deal with natural disasters that frequent their geographical area. Obviously, there are some priorities that need to be addressed before others can be considered. For example, to do pretty much anything after a hurricane, the electrical grid would have to be fixed for safety concerns and provide electricity for cleanup efforts. As with any other natural disaster that occurs in a densely populated area, EVERYONE will need assistance. The state will need assistance from the federal government, the city government from the state government and the public from the city government. In this essay, I will discuss the devastating effects of hurricanes on my community and what can be done to assist in the recovery efforts after the devastation to assist in the recovery efforts. Corpus Christi, Texas I live several miles outside of Corpus Christi, Texas which is a coastal city located in South Texas. The city of Corpus Christi is located on the Gulf of Mexico and is surrounded by numerous beaches. Along with beaches, several marinas and waterfront attractions are nearby. According to DATAUSA, in 2021, Corpus Christi had a population of 422,000 people with a median household income of $59,483. While Corpus Christi does have a few barrier islands that provide some protection from hurricanes, history has shown that mother nature’s awesome power can seldomly be controlled or diminished. Corpus Christi, which spans an area approximately 460 square miles of low flat land(Ranger Guard), is easily overwhelmed by high storm surges associated with hurricanes. What are Hurricanes
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hurricanes are low- pressure systems with organized thunderstorm activity that form over tropical or subtropical waters and gain their energy from warm ocean waters. One of nature’s most powerful storms, hurricanes are capable of producing strong winds, storm surges and heavy rainfall that usually leads to tornadoes, inland flooding and dangerous rip currents. As the storms strengthen into hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones, the surface winds move continuously in a circular motion. With major hurricanes having wind speeds of at least 111 mph and reaching sustained winds of 180 mph with possible wind gusts of 200 mph (NOAA), hurricanes are formidable adversaries. The Gulf of Mexico, with its hundreds and hundreds of nautical miles of warm water and favorable atmospheric conditions, is the perfect nursery for hurricanes. The impact of hurricanes on the Gulf Coast region can be devastating, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and natural habitats. The high winds and storm surges associated with hurricanes can lead to coastal erosion, flooding, and the destruction of property. In addition, the heavy rainfall associated with these storms can result in freshwater flooding, further exacerbating the impact on communities and ecosystems in the region. The social and economic consequences of these events are significant, often resulting in the displacement of populations and long-term recovery efforts. On August 3, 1970, Hurricane Celia came barreling through Corpus Christi with 140 mph winds which the National Weather Service says were measured at Corpus Christi International Airport. The National Weather Service goes on to say that 115 fatalities and 466 injuries were the result of Hurricane Celia’s devastating power. Along with the fatalities and injuries, thousands of structures were damaged or a total loss, 3,000 power poles were knocked down and mobile homes shredded which amounted to an estimated 453.8 million dollars in crop and property damage which gave hurricane Celia the distinction of being the costliest storm to hit Texas at the time (National Weather Service).
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