Running Head: ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT
Environmental Threat
Week 7 Assignment
Lindsay Ann Abrigo
April 18, 2014
MPH 584 – Community Health
Dr. Kimberly Brodie
1
ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT
2
Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall,
inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes, and rip currents (NOAA, 2014). The National
Weather Service is responsible for protecting life and property through issuance of timely
watches and warnings (NOAA, 2014), but it is essential that your family be ready before
a storm approaches.
During a hurricane, there is a triple threat of damage from high winds, elevated
surf due to storm surge, and flooding associated with heavy rains (The American Red
Cross, 2014). The greatest public health threat was from the loss of power, according to
Manuel (2013). Hurricane Sandy knocked out electricity for more than 8.5 million
people in 21 states, in 2012 (Manuel, 2013). This loss of power, coupled with the absence
or flooding-related failure of backup generators, translated to the shutdown of heating
systems, life support, and other technologies that were vital to people’s survival (Manuel,
2013). Additionally, flooding and loss of electricity pose serious health issues, in relation
to food and water safety.
The Food and Drug Administration emphasize the importance of keeping food
and water safe when power outages and flooding should occur. Some basic tips for
keeping food safe, in the event that the hurricane has caused a power outage, includes:
keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to preserve the cold
temperature; when planning to consume refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish, or eggs
while they are still at safe temperatures, it is important that each food item is cooked
thoroughly to assure that any foodborne bacteria present is destroyed (FDA, 2014). When
flooding occurs, the following precautions are recommended by the FDA to keep both
food and water safe: use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters; if no
ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT
3
bottled water is available, boil water to make it safe as it will kill most types of diseasecausing organisms that may be present; refrain from consuming any food that may have
come into contact with flood water; discard any food that is not in a waterproof container
if there is any change that it has come into contact with flood water; inspect canned foods
and discard any food in damaged cans; thoroughly wash cooking instruments and utensils
(FDA, 2014).
One misperception around the state is that a hurricane will only strike the island
of Kauai and, therefore, residents of the other islands do not need to prepare. This is
based on the impacts to Kauai from Hurricanes Dot (1959), ‘Iwa (1982), and Iniki
(1992), states the American Red Cross (2014). However, this is not the case, it is
essential that each of the Hawaiian Islands and its residents are adequately prepared for a
hurricane or other emergency (The American Red Cross, 2014). When Hurricane Iniki hit
in 1992, coordination among emergency personnel of the local level in Kauai and Oahu
and the state and federal governments prior to, during, and after Hurricane Iniki
significantly minimized the number of casualties. After the storm, public shelters were
used to accommodate to some 12,000 people, respectively. On Oahu, 110 public shelters
were opened, and an estimated 30,000 people sought public shelter for evacuation (U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1993). Prizzia
stated, “rather than sending tourists to public shelters, two major hotels kept their visitors
in the buildings during the storm” (2007). Employees from the Department of Parks and
Recreation, with some support from the American Red Cross, State Department of
Education, the Salvation Army, and volunteers from the University of Hawaii, primarily
staffed the shelters on Oahu, which were opened as “refuge only” shelters so they did not
ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT
4
provide food, cots, blankets, medications, or other comfort items (U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1993).
During an emergency or threat of disaster, Civil Defense information will be
broadcast over local radio and TV stations. When an evacuation is necessary, these
broadcasts may include information about the location of public emergency shelters in
affected areas (The American Red Cross, 2013). Additional information, including the
location of shelters designated for people with special health needs and facilities for
household pets may be broadcast, as well as when shelters will be opened for the public
and will aid in directing evacuees to appropriate shelters (The American Red Cross,
2013).
Each County Civil Defense will work in coordination with the Hawaii Red Cross
to open hurricane evacuation shelters statewide and continue to monitor the needs for
shelter once the storm has passed the islands The American Red Cross, 2013). Due to
Hawaii’s isolation and vulnerability, Red Cross and Civil Defense recommend that
people prepare their emergency kits for 7 days and bring their emergency supplies with
them to shelters because airports and ports may be damaged by the storm and slow down
the resupply process for local stores (2013). In addition to opening evacuation shelters,
the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Emergency Management along with the
Department of Civil Defense Division, provide printable information sheets to learn more
about how to be prepared for a disaster such as a hurricane, guidelines on how to put
together a basic disaster supplies kit, develop an emergency plan, etc.
Emergency preparedness kits should contain the essentials families need to
survive during a disaster. Having two is ideal; a multi-purpose kit that with provisions for
ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT
5
more activities for the home and a transportable slimmed down kit with bare necessities
for survival when on the go (Hawaii State Civil Defense, n.d.). When preparing a disaster
preparedness kit, first plan for the essentials for survival. Think practical first, and think
comfortable second. All essential needs should be able to fit in a 5-gallon bucket;
absolute necessities include food, water, and warmth (Hawaii State Civil Defense, n.d.).
Any preparations should be accompanied by an emergency plan, in addition to knowing
where family members are and how to keep in contact in the event of a disaster.
History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common
threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing and understanding vulnerability
and what actions should be taken, individuals, families, and the community as a whole
can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Being prepared for disaster is important.
When disaster strikes, there may not have ample time to respond and ensure the resources
necessary to survive are available. Moreover, hundreds of other families in the area share
the same concerns, and it will be difficult to get access to the necessities needed due to
shortages and competition.
ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT
6
References
The American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter. (2013). Disaster preparedness:
Hurricanes. Retrieved from website: http://www.redcross.org/hi/honolulu/
programs-services/disaster-preparedness/hurricanes
Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (2014).
What consumers need to know about food and water safety during hurricanes,
power outages, and floods. Retrieved from website:
http://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/consumers/ucm076881.htm
Hawaii State Civil Defense, (n.d.). Recommendations for disaster preparedness kit.
Retrieved from website: http://www.scd.hawaii.gov/dp_kit.html
Manuel, J. (2013). The long road to recovery: Environmental health impacts of hurricane
sandy. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(5), A152–A159. Retrieved from
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/121-a152/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, National
Centers for Environmental Protection. (2014). National hurricane center.
Retrieved from website: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
Prizzia, R. (2007). The role of coordination in disaster management. Disaster
Management Handbook, Retrieved from http://www.huizenga.nova.edu/5463/
Readings/C005 Coordination in Disaster Management.Prizzia.pdf
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(1993). Hurricane Iniki assessment: Review of hurricane evacuation studies
utilization and information dissemination. Retrieved from Post, Buckley, Schuh,
& Jernigan, Inc. website: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/hes/docs/postStorm/
H_INIKI_ASSESSMENT_REVIEW_HES_UTILIZATION_INFO_DISSEMINA
TION.pdf