Disaster Vector Control in Mississippi After Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned

ABSTRACT Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, causing an ecological disaster. Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) entomologists established a vector control program in affected areas with the following objectives: 1) helping local vector control agencies reestablish services, 2) performing mosquito surveillance, and 3) establishing mosquito larviciding and adulticiding where necessary. The MSDH personnel also helped write Action Request Forms requesting assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for increased ground spraying in the 6 lower counties. Mosquito surveillance was conducted daily for 2 wk after the storm, then weekly for another month. Sanitation lagged, with people using makeshift latrines or simply piles of rubbish for bathrooms. Filth flies contaminated food and food surfaces. Responders lived in tent cities, many allowing filth fly access. Approximately 2 wk after hurricane landfall, due to increasing mosquito numbers, MSDH entomologists requested FEMA for an aerial spraying of insecticide to reduce nuisance mosquito biting in the area. A private vendor made 1 application of naled (Dibrom®) insecticide in the 3 coastal counties, yielding over 90% control in entire counties in 1 night. No complaints or medical or environmental problems from the increased ground spraying and aerial spraying were reported. Overall, important lessons in disaster vector control were learned, including how to work effectively with Centers for Disease Control, FEMA, and the US Public Health Service personnel, how to manage the public relations/educational aspects, and how to avoid or mitigate political interference in the disaster response.

Download Full-text

On Developing Disaster Resilient Communications Infrastructure

Marine Technology Society Journal ◽

10.4031/002533206787353132 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 27-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew M. Clark

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Disaster Response ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Vital Role ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

White House ◽

Technology Industry ◽

Voluntary Response ◽

Federal Response ◽

The U.S

The August 29, 2005 landfall of Hurricane Katrina on the U.S. Gulf Coast revealed a number of local, regional, state and national shortcomings. Destruction of communications infrastructure hindered emergency response during and immediately after the storm and further contributed to a lagging recovery and rebuilding process. While critical of some government agencies' actions, The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned Report compiled by the White House specifically cited the vital role that the U.S. private sector played through their voluntary response. This paper explores the response by some of the U.S. communications technology industry. Detailed are some of the technologies that were deployed and how each was employed to re-establish communication lifelines during the Katrina recovery effort. While simple good luck is attributed to facilitating the positive outcomes described, recommendations are provided that would ensure flexible solutions are in place for future disaster response operations to facilitate timely restoration of communications infrastructure. Though the focus of this paper is on destruction caused by coastal inundation, these solutions are applicable to other natural disasters, accidents, and acts of terrorism.

Download Full-text

Characteristics of Physician Relocation Following Hurricane Katrina

Journal of Medical Regulation ◽

10.30770/2572-1852-95.1.6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

pp. 6-12

Author(s):

Kusuma Madamala ◽

Claudia R. Campbell ◽

Edbert B. Hsu ◽

Yu-Hsiang Hsieh ◽

James James

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

General Medicine ◽

The United States ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Fisher Exact Test ◽

Exact Test ◽

Factors Associated ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Introduction: On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast of the United States, resulting in the evacuation of more than 1.5 million people, including nearly 6000 physicians. This article examines the relocation patterns of physicians following the storm, determines the impact that the disaster had on their lives and practices, and identifies lessons learned. Methods: An Internet-based survey was conducted among licensed physicians reporting addresses within Federal Emergency Management Agency-designated disaster zones in Louisiana and Mississippi. Descriptive data analysis was used to describe respondent characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with physician nonreturn to original practice. For those remaining relocated out of state, bivariate analysis with x2 or Fisher exact test was used to determine factors associated with plans to return to original practice. Results: A total of 312 eligible responses were collected. Among disaster zone respondents, 85.6 percent lived in Louisiana and 14.4 percent resided in Mississippi before the hurricane struck. By spring 2006, 75.6 percent (n = 236) of the respondents had returned to their original homes, whereas 24.4 percent (n = 76) remained displaced. Factors associated with nonreturn to original employment included family or general medicine practice (OR 0.42, 95 percent CI 0.17–1.04; P = .059) and severe or complete damage to the workplace (OR 0.24, 95 percent CI 0.13–0.42; P < .001). Conclusions: A sizeable proportion of physicians remain displaced after Hurricane Katrina, along with a lasting decrease in the number of physicians serving in the areas affected by the disaster. Programs designed to address identified physician needs in the aftermath of the storm may give confidence to displaced physicians to return.

Download Full-text

A Spatial and Longitudinal Analysis of Unmet Transportation Needs During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management ◽

10.1515/jhsem-2014-0041 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kenneth Joh ◽

Alexandria Norman ◽

Sherry I. Bame

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Longitudinal Analysis ◽

Disaster Response ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Baseline Period ◽

Evacuation Routes ◽

Hurricanes Katrina And Rita ◽

Mass Evacuation

AbstractHurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the US Gulf Coast in 2005, leading to the largest mass evacuation in US history and straining the region’s transportation infrastructure and services. This case study addresses the topic of disaster response to transportation unmet needs through an unprecedented spatial and longitudinal analysis of transportation-related disaster 2-1-1 call data collected in real-time, allowing for the investigation of unmet transportation needs by location and disaster phases. The authors analyze 25,205 transportation-related calls logged in Texas’ 25 regional 2-1-1 Area Information Centers from August 1 to December 31, 2005, including a baseline period before Hurricane Katrina, evacuation and landfall, and 3-months recovery post-Hurricane Rita. The spatial results show that transportation unmet needs were concentrated in Texas’ major metropolitan areas, especially in Houston-Galveston, and along highway evacuation routes. However, after controlling for population size, areas close to the landfall site and evacuation destinations had greater unmet transportation needs. Longitudinally, transportation unmet needs surged during evacuation and immediate disaster response then returned to baseline levels during recovery. Based on the results of the case study analyzing Texas 2-1-1 call data of unmet transportation needs, strategies and policies for improving mass evacuation and transportation support services are proposed and discussed.

Download Full-text

From Disaster to Resilience

Intersections Between the Academy and Practice ◽

10.35483/acsa.aia.inter.15.10 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

David Perkes ◽

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Disaster Response ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Community Design ◽

Design Studio ◽

Mississippi State University ◽

State University ◽

Art And Design ◽

Mississippi Gulf Coast

What is changing in the world so that the word “resilience” is so frequently used? 2015 marks the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the five year anniversary of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio has been working on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina and their work provides the vantage point of this paper. The Gulf Coast Community Design Studio is an off-campus research and service center of Mississippi State University College of Architecture, Art and Design located in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was created to respond to Hurricane Katrina and has evolved from disaster response to long-term efforts of resilience. The design studio’s evolution is not an isolated story. It is part of a national move toward resilience.

Download Full-text

Comparing Actions and Lessons Learned in Transportation and Logistics Efforts for Emergency Response to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey

Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management ◽

10.1515/jhsem-2019-0022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

Author(s):

John Collier ◽

Srijith Balakrishnan ◽

Zhanmin Zhang

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Emergency Response ◽

Disaster Response ◽

New Technology ◽

Economic Loss ◽

The United States ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Primary Role ◽

Emergency Relief ◽

The Government

AbstractOver the past years, the frequency and scope of disasters affecting the United States have significantly increased. Government agencies have made efforts in improving the nation’s disaster response framework to minimize fatalities and economic loss due to disasters. Disaster response has evolved with the emergency management agencies incorporating systematic changes in their organization and emergency response functions to accommodate lessons learned from past disaster events. Technological advancements in disaster response have also improved the agencies’ ability to prepare for and respond to natural hazards. The transportation and logistics sector has a primary role in emergency response during and after disasters. In this light, this paper seeks to identify how effective policy changes and new technology have aided the transportation and logistics sector in emergency response and identify gaps in current practices for further improvement. Specifically, this study compares and contrasts the transportation and logistical support to emergency relief efforts during and after two major Hurricane events in the U.S., namely Hurricane Katrina (which affected New Orleans in 2005) and Hurricane Harvey (which affected Houston in 2017). This comparison intends to outline the major steps taken by the government and the private entities in the transportation and logistics sector to facilitate emergency response and the issues faced during the process. Finally, the paper summarizes the lessons learned from both the Hurricane events and provides recommendations for further improvements in transportation and logistical support to disaster response.

Download Full-text

Task Force St. Bernard: Operational Issues and Medical Management of a National Guard Disaster Response Operation

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x00005185 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 440-447

Author(s):

Carl J. Bonnett ◽

Tony R. Schock ◽

Kevin E. McVaney ◽

Christopher B. Colwell ◽

Christopher Depass

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Disaster Response ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Task Force ◽

National Guard ◽

The United States ◽

Army National Guard ◽

Local Resources ◽

Operational Issues ◽

National Emergency

AbstractAfter Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States on 29 August 2005, it became obvious that the country was facing an enormous national emergency. With local resources overwhelmed, governors across the US responded by deploying thousands of National Guard soldiers and airmen. The National Guard has responded to domestic disasters due to natural hazards since its inception, but an event with the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina was unprecedented. The deployment of >900 Army National Guard soldiers to St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana in the aftermath of the Hurricane was studied to present some of the operational issues involved with providing medical support for this type of operation. In doing so, the authors attempt to address some of the larger issues of how the National Guard can be incor- porated into domestic disaster response efforts. A number of unforeseen issues with regards to medical operations, medical supply, communication, preventive medicine, legal issues, and interactions with civilians were encoun- tered and are reviewed. A better understanding of the National Guard and how it can be utilized more effectively in future disaster response operations can be developed.

Download Full-text

Characteristics of Physician Relocation Following Hurricane Katrina

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1097/dmp.0b013e3180679118 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 21-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Kusuma Madamala ◽

Claudia R. Campbell ◽

Edbert B. Hsu ◽

Yu-Hsiang Hsieh ◽

James James

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

General Medicine ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Fisher Exact Test ◽

Exact Test ◽

Factors Associated ◽

The Us ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTIntroduction: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the US Gulf Coast, resulting in the evacuation of >1.5 million people, including nearly 6000 physicians. This article examines the relocation patterns of physicians following the storm, determines the impact that the disaster had on their lives and practices, and identifies lessons learned.Methods: An Internet-based survey was conducted among licensed physicians reporting addresses within Federal Emergency Management Agency–designated disaster zones in Louisiana and Mississippi. Descriptive data analysis was used to describe respondent characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with physician nonreturn to original practice. For those remaining relocated out of state, bivariate analysis with χ2 or Fisher exact test was used to determine factors associated with plans to return to original practice.Results: A total of 312 eligible responses were collected. Among disaster zone respondents, 85.6% lived in Louisiana and 14.4% resided in Mississippi before the hurricane struck. By spring 2006, 75.6% (n = 236) of the respondents had returned to their original homes, whereas 24.4% (n = 76) remained displaced. Factors associated with nonreturn to original employment included family or general medicine practice (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.17–1.04; P = .059) and severe or complete damage to the workplace (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.13–0.42; P < .001).Conclusions: A sizeable proportion of physicians remain displaced after Hurricane Katrina, along with a lasting decrease in the number of physicians serving in the areas affected by the disaster. Programs designed to address identified physician needs in the aftermath of the storm may give confidence to displaced physicians to return. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2007;1:21–26)

Download Full-text

Rebuilding Affordable Housing on the Gulf Coast: Lessons Learned in Mississippi from Hurricane Katrina

10.7249/rb9409 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Mark Bernstein ◽

Julie Kim ◽

Paul Sorensen ◽

Mark Hanson ◽

Adrian Overton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Affordable Housing ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Lessons Learned

Download Full-text

Black feminism and radical planning: New directions for disaster planning research

Planning Theory ◽

10.1177/1473095218763221 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 24-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Fayola Jacobs

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Low Income ◽

Social Vulnerability ◽

Disaster Response ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Black Feminism ◽

The United States ◽

Planning Theory ◽

Systemic Nature ◽

Comprehensive Framework

After Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the United States’ Gulf Coast, conversations about flooding became focused on the interconnections between so-called “natural” disasters, poverty, gender and race. Although research has long shown that women, people of color and low-income communities are more vulnerable to natural hazards, the disproportionate effects of Hurricane Katrina and subsequent federal and state disaster response efforts forced the national spotlight on the institutional and systemic nature of racism, classism and sexism. Using Black feminism and radical planning theory, two lenses that provides a comprehensive framework for understanding racism, classism and sexism, this article examines the concept and literature of social vulnerability. I argue while social vulnerability research has made significant contributions to planners’ understandings of disasters and inequity, it fails to center community knowledge, identify intersectional oppressions and name them as such and encourage community activism, all of which are keys to making meaningful change.

Download Full-text