Addressing Emergency Preparedness, Coursework Example

Introduction

In Florida, the sunshine state  is known to be the home to an array of disasters, the state has experienced tropical  storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical depressions, wild fires but floods has been the only disaster that happens more often in this part of America. Whenever there are floods in Florida, the residents and visitors are mostly affected in terms of property loss and shaken livelihoods, this has demonstrated the vulnerability of Florida’s economy to the whims of Mother Nature.

Florida Flooding

Flooding as a natural disaster is very common in Florida due to its height above the sea level, Florida being near the sea level makes it vulnerable to disasters that even a minor flood in this part of the America is a disaster which costs business and homes millions of dollars. In addition to floods, Florida also experiences a hurricane that causes storms surges. However, if the tropical storms occur at high tides, the effects are usually devastating. Florida also experiences heavy rain and thunderstorms in summers, the thunderstorms has the ability to produces volumes of rain that the drainage system can not contain and this may also lead to floods

Protective Measures

Before the floods it is recommended that people refrain from building their houses in flood plains unless there are plans to elevate and reinforce the home, specific recommendations are also made for elevating the furnace, water heater, electric panels and other electrical appliances, (NEA HIN), 2011) also recommends that check valves should be installed in all sewer traps so as to prevent the flood waters from backing up in addition to construction of barriers such as beams, levees, flood walls. Borland (2009) on the other hand recommends that basements should be seal with water proof compounds in order to a void seepage.

During the Flood

According to Borland (2009), it is advisable to avoid driving  unless the level of floods is ascertained because Six inches of flood water can reach the bottom of passenger cars and can cause loss of control or stalling, while (NEA HIN), 2011) argues that a foot of flood water can float a vehicle. However, it is advisable to note that one feet of rushing water will easily carry away vehicles such as SUV and even pick ups

After a Flood, it is advisable to follow the guidelines bellow;

Listening to news reports to ascertain the safety of the community water supply as flood water at times are contaminated by gasoline, oil, raw sewage or may be even be electrically charge by the downed or underground power line, resident should be cautioned to avoid walking or using moving water, report downed power cables, wait for safety confirmation from the authorities before returning home.

Materials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency: (www.fema.gov, 2011) website also states that motorist should be careful when driving because roads are usually weakened by flood waters and may collapse under the weight of motor vehicles. Borland (2009) also urges flood victims to service any damaged cesspools, sewage systems, septic tanks, and pits as they pose serious health hazards
Though there are many notable gaps, the most notable gap in the information is the estimated amounts of loss that an average house holds incur during floods. The materials also fail to provide information relating to the government intervention in preparation for the regular floods in form of financial assistances apart from the help from well wishers and interest groups

Additional Recommendation

Taking Flood Insurance: floods are common problems in Florida sop homes and businesses are advised to take flood insurance protection to help in mitigating their losses during floods. It is argued by Borland (2009) that flood insurance in Florida is expensive due to floods commonality in this region, and on the contrary the cost associated with not taking an insurance cover is also very expensive, so people should not be ignorant

References

Borland, L. (2009) Emergency Management 101: What Every School District Needs to Know. (U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Washington, DC)

NEA HIN (2011) School Crisis Guide: Help and Healing in a Time of Crisis. (National Education Association (NEA) and the National Education Association Health Information Network http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=48865