You are here

Disaster Risk Reduction

Multi-Billion Dollar Electric Grid Risks Need Risk Transfer: Swiss Re

CLICK HERE - REPORT - Swiss Re - LIGHTS OUT: THE RISKS OF CLIMATE AND NATURAL DISASTER RELATED DISRUPTION TO THE ELECTRIC GRID - 25 July 2017

artemis.bm - July 25, 2017

Risks to the electric grid due to severe weather, natural catastrophes and climate change can cause losses in the billions of dollars, and while threats make our energy future more uncertain there is a role for risk transfer and potentially the capital markets in helping to stave off economic disruption.

A new report published by reinsurance firm Swiss Re but authored by students at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) explains that the electric grid is among the most important pieces of our critical infrastructure, but is also one of the most exposed to natural disasters, weather and climate related threats.

Country / Region Tags: 
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

Free Resources for Disaster Resilience

Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

No person or place is immune from disasters or disaster-related losses, and recent events have proven that even prepared communities can be overwhelmed in a state of emergency. Our reports provide guidelines and targeted resources for all stakeholders in a disaster response, including state and local governments, emergency medical services and health care centers. Read these online for free.
CLICK HERE - Related Books

Scientists Glimpse New York’s Perilous Path in an Ancient Patch of Marsh

In Pelham Bay in the Bronx, an ancient salt marsh has provided a unique laboratory to study historic sea levels and perhaps see what lies ahead. Credit Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Image: In Pelham Bay in the Bronx, an ancient salt marsh has provided a unique laboratory to study historic sea levels and perhaps see what lies ahead. Credit Todd Heisler/The New York Times

nytimes.com - January 19th 2017 - Marc Santora

Surrounded by landmarks of modernity like Co-op City in the Bronx, a sliver of New York’s ancient past remains relatively untouched.

It is one of the city’s last salt marshes, a coastal ecosystem dominated by dense and sturdy stands of plants and grasses that has been trapping and binding sediments from the flow of the tides for thousands of years.

The sediment there tells a story of the past and, according to a new study, offers a dire warning about the future that corresponds with similar research conducted around the world.

Country / Region Tags: 
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

To Flood-Proof Subways, N.Y. Looks At Everything From Plugs To Sheets

Engineers test the Flex-Gate, a big sheet of waterproof fabric designed to cover subway entrances and keep water out. Its creation was inspired in part by roll-up metal doors used to cover store entrances. Joel Rose/NPR

Image: Engineers test the Flex-Gate, a big sheet of waterproof fabric designed to cover subway entrances and keep water out. Its creation was inspired in part by roll-up metal doors used to cover store entrances. Joel Rose/NPR

npr.org - October 8th, 2015 - Joel Rose

New York City may have dodged a major storm recently when Hurricane Joaquin headed out to sea, but it was an unwelcome reminder of what happened three years ago when the city suffered catastrophic flooding during Superstorm Sandy. Now, the New York subway system is racing to get new flood-proofing technologies ready in time for the next big storm.

Country / Region Tags: 
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

Geographic information helps provide public health intelligence at mass gatherings

MEDICALNEWS TODAY                                                            Jan. 6, 2015

Infectious diseases are one of the many health issues that worry the organizers of mass gatherings, such as the Hajj and the World Cup. Geographers' tools of the trade can help event organizers to better plan, monitor and respond timely to such eventualities. The ways in which geographers gather, analyze, and visualize information provide health officials with clearer pictures of the transport routes and environmental factors that may further the spread of viruses to and from the attendees' home countries.

In Chapter 3 of the new book Health, Science and Place: A New Model, geographer and biologist Dr. Amy Blatt explains how geographic information is used for disease surveillance at mass gatherings.
Read complete article

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/287577.php?tw

Read excerpt from the book,chapter 3.

by Dr. Amy Blatt
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-319-12003-4_3

Country / Region Tags: 
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

Extra caution amid Ebola screening at NYC airport

USA  TODAY                    Oct. 12, 2014

Melanie Eversley and Marisol Bello,

NEW YORK — As federal officials at New York's Kennedy International Airport stepped up efforts to stop the spread of the deadly Ebola virus with extensive screening of passengers arriving from countries hit hardest by the outbreak, passengers and employees were taking their own precautions.

Maria Uruchimadecriollo cleans a bathroom JFK Terminal 4 international arrivals in Jamaica, NY. Uruchimadecriollo is wearing a mask that her husband bought for her yesterday, with the hope that it would keep her safe from the Ebola virus. This is the first day that the airport will begin screening passengers for Ebola coming in from the affected areas in Africa.(Photo: Jennifer S. Altman, for USA TODAY)

Agents with the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection screened travelers from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, taking their temperature and observing them for other Ebola symptoms.

Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

NY Spends $40M on Microgrid Contest

August 29, 2014 Linda Hardesty

New York is hosting a $40 million NY Prize Competition to inspire a new generation of local power by challenging New York businesses, entrepreneurs, and electric utilities to design and implement community-based microgrids.

The competition aims to inspire new plans for protecting and strengthening the electrical system in the face of major storms.

http://www.energymanagertoday.com/ny-spends-40m-microgrid-contest-0104504/

Country / Region Tags: 
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

FEMA Calls for Focus on Resilience and Risk during May Observance

submitted by Goldie Rosenberg

fema.gov

Release date: May 20, 2014
Release Number: SRFO-NJ-NR-020

LINCROFT, N.J. -- The New York and New Jersey Sandy Recovery field offices are supporting a national initiative to maximize resilience and minimize risk. FEMA is encouraging those rebuilding from Hurricane Sandy to join the agency in its recognition of the 34th annual Building Safety Month (BSM) to promote the importance of high building standards, protecting the environment and saving energy.

BSM is a public awareness campaign established by the International Code Council (ICC). The global campaign focuses on public outreach and education to increase the overall safety and sustainability of buildings through the adoption of model building codes and promotion of code enforcement—elements for New York and New Jersey to consider as the area rebuilds after the storm.

Country / Region Tags: 
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

NY District Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Projects and Studies Map

                                            (CLICK ON THE MAP IMAGE BELOW TO ENLARGE)

      

nan.usace.army.mil

Click the names of projects and studies in the link below to learn more about them

http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/About/Hurricane_Sandy/CoastalStormRiskReductionProjectsandStudies.aspx

Country / Region Tags: 
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

What is My Base Flood Elevation (BFE)? Address Lookup Tool (Formerly What is My ABFE?)

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What is My Base Flood Elevation (BFE)? Address Lookup Tool (Formerly What is My ABFE?)
The interactive 'What is My BFE?' tool below can help you compare the current effective and the revised FEMA flood hazard data available for your propertyGet information for your property in three easy steps: http://www.region2coastal.com/sandy/table
 
 
Help connect individuals to the information they need to make informed decisions by sharing these resources via your website, blog, social networks, and other communication channelshttp://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/partner/tools_resources.jsp
 
Final Draft 2014 NYC Hazard Mitigation Plan
Country / Region Tags: 
Problem, Solution, SitRep, or ?: 

Pages

Subscribe to Disaster Risk Reduction
howdy folks