Hurricane Laura

Pages:

6

Academic Level:

Masters

Paper Type:

Case Study

Discipline:

Environmental studies

Environmental Health

Instructions for the Final Paper

expectation in this scenario is 5-6 pages with 8 sources 3 of which are peer-reviewed journal articles.

For the final paper: scholarly paper of 5-6 double-spaced pages (exclusive of the Reference list, Type font Times New Roman 12, 1” margins) with a minimum of 8 references , 3 of which must be peer-reviewed journal articles.

The final paper is a paper on an environmental/occupational health topic. The topic should be related to any RECENT (past THREE years) environmental/occupational health incident or accident that occurred in the past in a community, state, or country. This might include any natural disaster or man-made accident that you heard about in the news or reports. Your paper may include the following sections:

1. Introduction

a)     Description of the incident/accident

b)     Short-term health effects of this incident/accident on the affected population

c)     Long-term health effects of this incident/accident on the affected population

d)     Short-term effects of this incident/accident on the surrounding environment/settings?

e)     Long-term effects of this incident/accident on the surrounding environment/settings?

2. Description of the risk factors/causes that led to the development/occurrence of this incident/accident.
3. Policy/measures Development and Implementation

a)     The measures/policies/regulations developed to prevent the occurrence of this incident/accident in the first place?

b)     The measures/policies/regulations developed to decrease the consequences associated with this incident/accident?

c)     Strengths and weaknesses of the developed policies/measures?

d)     Lessons learned and addressing potential policy/regulations/plans to prevent such incidents/accidents from happening again and/or minimizing the severity in the future?

The report must include Headings/Subheadings that reflect the above applicable questions/issues.

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Hurricane Laura

 

 

 

 

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Hurricane Laura

Description

Hurricane Laura, in 2021, was the third most powerful hurricane ever to hit the coastal areas of Louisiana; it caused massive damage and displaced massive amounts of people. Lousiana city's infrastructure was compromised, and the power was cut off (Cecco et al., 2022). The Louisiana neighborhood was especially hard-hit by flooding, although there was some help from the emergency departments, especially in the shelter and basic needs relief. The government issued a state of emergency in this area and provided additional aid to all people in addition to the resources by the redcross. The hurricane had many health impacts because of the injuries, depression, and strained healthcare systems because of the disruption of power and structures.

Health Short-Term Effects

The storm impacted the health of many residents of Louisiana as well as their neighbors across state lines. The wind damage caused by Hurricane Laura is believed to be responsible for a spike in cases of respiratory infection due to mold exposure in these communities. The immediate impact of Hurricane Laura was that it led to a sharp increase in mortality rates due to increased respiratory infections and heart attacks among the elderly or otherwise vulnerable (Maldonado & Peterson, 2021). This is especially true for children under six whose developing immune systems are most vulnerable to the effects of mold exposure. In addition, some doctors noted an increase in cases of asthma among those affected by Hurricane Laura's flooding because air pollution from nearby factories increased dramatically after the storm hit.

Health Long-Term Effects

The long-term health impact of Hurricane Laura on the population will be much more difficult to gauge because so much time has passed since the event occurred. However, there are some indications that this disaster may have had long-term negative effects on mental health and economic growth rates in these areas. Increased illness and death rates also occurred for people living in low-income communities and those with preexisting conditions such as cardiovascular disease and asthma (Minovi, 2021). Hurricane Laura also significantly impacted the healthcare system in Louisiana; it caused delays in receiving medical care for those who needed it most: pregnant women and infants with congenital heart defects or other major medical conditions requiring immediate attention (e.g., open-heart surgery). The rate of depression among those who lost their homes increased by 42%. The rate of anxiety increased by 27% (Brauer et al., 2022). The long-term health impacts will depend on how long residents recover from these effects, but some damage will likely linger for years after an event like this.

Environmental Short-Term Effects

The short-term effects of Hurricane Laura on the surrounding environment were all related to the storm's power and driving rain without shelter. The aftermath of Hurricane Laura was so dangerous that it took three months for people to start rebuilding their homes and communities—and even then, there were still many problems. For example, some people could not find food or water for themselves or their families because electricity lines had been damaged by trees falling during the hurricane (Zhou et al., 2021). They also lacked access to healthcare services because hospitals had been destroyed by floodwaters or damaged by falling debris. The wind and rain battered the trees, which blocked roadways and left many people trapped. This also caused flooding, which affected electrical systems and other infrastructure. This was caused by the storm surge, which caused water to rise and flood out low-lying areas. The flooding also happened due to heavy rainfall and high winds (Kim et al., 2022). The surrounding environment/setting destroyed many trees and caused flooding, making it difficult for local wildlife to find food sources. As a result, many animals became stressed or even died. Some birds also had to move away from their usual areas because they could no longer find food.

Environmental Long-Term Effects

Long-term effects of Hurricane Laura will be seen in the years following the storm, as it leaves behind various environmental issues, including damaged topography and ecosystems and high levels of property damage. There will be long-lasting changes to the natural landscape, native wildlife populations, human health, and safety. These are permanent changes that will have a negative impact on environmental health in the region for years to come. Hurricane Laura was one of the most destructive hurricanes in history. It caused massive destruction to homes, businesses, and infrastructure throughout Louisiana (Momin et al., 2022). The effects of this hurricane were felt for months after its passing due to heavy rains and wind damage caused by high tides during high tide cycles. This pollution contributed further to the degradation of marine ecosystems due to increased bacterial levels in these systems and increased levels of organic matter, which contributes directly to algal blooms and hypoxia levels within these ecosystems.

Risk Factors

The hurricane from a tropical wave formed off the coastal regions and naturally caused widespread damage across Louisiana. The cause for tropical cyclones is human-caused climate change, which has led to warmer ocean temperatures around the globe and increased precipitation from El Nino events in particular. Hurricanes are most likely to develop when there is a high amount of moisture in the atmosphere, which can occur when there is a strong El Niño or La Niña event. This means there are usually many more hurricanes during these times, making them more likely to cause serious damage (Collins et al., 2022). Increased precipitation in the Louisiana coasts increases the risk of flooding due to heavy rains, which can cause major damage when coupled with high winds or storm surges. The storm's path was affected by a high sea surface temperature, which caused it to develop quickly. The storm was also affected by an area of low pressure to its north that increased wind shear. These conditions slowed down the development of Laura into a hurricane and fueled its strength during its early stages.

Policy Measures Development and Implementation

Preventive Measures

The first measure is to be more prepared for future hurricanes. The state will build more shelters, improve drainage systems, and ensure that emergency relief workers are prepared with supplies and equipment before any new storms hit the area. In addition, the National Guard will be deployed to help with recovery efforts if another hurricane does hit Louisiana. They will also assist with evacuations in areas prone to flooding or landslides during storms. The Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development has also been developing better ways to protect roads from flooding during hurricanes and other severe weather events (Momin et al., 2022). This includes creating barriers out of sandbags or buying materials like gravel or concrete, which can be used as fill material when needed so that roadways don't cave in due to heavy rains or high winds. The government has developed a new policy requiring all businesses in the state to have emergency plans. The plan must be approved by the local emergency management office and must include evacuation routes, power sources, and other information necessary for citizens to be able to survive an incoming storm.

Measures to Decrease Consequences

To help decrease the consequences associated with hurricane Laura in the future, there should be a plan to rebuild infrastructure like roads and bridges to withstand future storms and their aftermaths. One measure is to provide better training for emergency response personnel. In addition to requiring that all emergency responders be trained in emergency management and crisis communications, the state has also put in place a system for tracking emergency response issues and having a plan for addressing them (Greer et al., 2022). This helps emergency responders know what needs to be done when facing an emergency. Also, there should be an effort to educate citizens about preparing for storms to protect better themselves and their families from potential damage caused by hurricanes and other disasters. The state also created a website where residents can find out how to apply for federal disaster aid. The website also includes information about applying for individual assistance and programs that provide grants or loans for homeowners who need help paying for repairs after hurricanes or flooding. Other measures include creating an infrastructure committee to improve communication between different agencies involved in disaster response, developing guidelines on preparedness activities, providing funding for coastal restoration projects, and establishing a communications plan specifically for communicating with the public during times of crisis.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Measures

The measures developed to prevent hurricane Laura on Louisiana coast are simple and effective for the strengths. The measures also have low costs. The measures were developed with the support of climate scientists and meteorologists, who understand what is needed to ensure safety during a hurricane (Maldonado & Peterson, 2021). The measures have been implemented by local governments and other agencies, which means that they are prepared to respond to a hurricane and can make decisions on their own. Because individuals with prior experience leading groups developed the measures, these individuals will be able to put them into action in a timely and effective manner while continuing to involve all relevant parties.

The weakness of the measures is that they are not very flexible. They do not account for environmental changes or how people will react when they see signs of a storm coming. There could be landslides, flooding, or other problems caused by the hurricane that require attention immediately. In some cases, this could lead to disaster because residents will not be able to evacuate when they should or will choose not to evacuate because of their beliefs about what will happen if they leave home.

Lessons Learned from the Hurricane.

The first and most important lesson learned is that climate change is real, it's happening now, and it's not going away. There is a trend toward warmer temperatures and higher sea levels. This means that hurricanes are more intense and destructive, especially in coastal areas where land-based communities are located. The second lesson learned is that we must prepare for a changing climate by building infrastructure, including levees and floodwalls, which will help protect people, property, and infrastructure from rising sea levels and stronger storms. We must also ensure that we have enough water supply for our communities so that people can stay safe during severe weather events. The third lesson learned is encouraging local governments to work with state agencies to plan for future disasters (Minovi, 2021). This includes developing evacuation plans for low-lying areas near rivers or streams; developing plans for removing debris after storms; having a plan in place when schools close due to flooding or other disasters; training first responders before emergencies strike their community so they can save lives. It is important to have proper communication between all levels of government and private organizations so that everyone knows their responsibilities during a hurricane event and how they can work together effectively during this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Brauer, N. S., Alford, A. A., Waugh, S. M., Biggerstaff, M. I., Carrie, G. D., Kirstetter, P. E., ... & Moore, R. W. (2022). Hurricane Laura (2020): A Comparison of Drop Size Distribution Moments Using Ground and Radar Remote Sensing Retrieval Methods. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 127(16), e2021JD035845. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD035845

Cecco, B., Sasaki, E., Paulsen, D. B., Fontenot, C., Navarre, C., Healy, K., & Langohr, I. M. (2022). Livestock fatalities attributed to a massive attack of Psorophora Columbia following Hurricane Laura. The Bovine Practitioner, 56(1), 14-18. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol56no1p14-18

Collins, J., Polen, A., Dunn, E., Jernigan, I., McSweeney, K., Welford, M., ... & Zhu, Y. J. (2022). Hurricanes Laura and Sally: A Case Study of Evacuation Decision-Making in the Age of COVID-19. Weather, Climate, and Society. https://doi.org/10.1175/WCAS-D-21-0160.1

Greer, A., Huntsman, D., Wu, H. C., Murphy, H., & Clay, L. (2022). Household Hurricane Evacuation During a Dual-Threat Event: Hurricane Laura and COVID-19. Available at SSRN 4197593. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4197593

Kim, H. S., Meixner, J., Thomas, B., G. Reichl, B., Liu, B., Mehra, A., & Wallcraft, A. (2022). Skill Assessment of NCEP Three-Way Coupled HWRF–HYCOM–WW3 Modeling System: Hurricane Laura Case Study. Weather and Forecasting, 37(8), 1309-1331. https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-D-21-0191.1

Maldonado, J., & Peterson, K. (2021). Justice-Driven Disaster Recovery: Baseline Data to Support Safe Communities, Healthy Ecosystems, and a Rejuvenated Future. Natural Hazards Center Quick Response Grant Report Series, 323. https://hazards.colorado.edu/quick-response-report/justice-driven-disaster-recovery

Minovi, D. (2021). Toxic Floodwaters on the Gulf Coast and Beyond: Commentary on the Public Health Implications of Chemical Releases Triggered by Extreme Weather. Environmental Justice, 14(2), 105-109. https://doi.org/10.1089/env.2020.0051

Momin, K. A., Kays, H. M., & Sadri, A. M. (2022). Identifying Crisis Response Communities in Online Social Networks for Compound Disasters: The Case of Hurricane Laura and Covid-19. arXiv preprint arXiv:2210.14970. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2210.14970

Zhou, S., Kan, P., Huang, Q., & Silbernagel, J. (2021). A guided latent Dirichlet allocation approach to investigate real-time latent topics of Twitter data during Hurricane Laura. Journal of Information Science, 01655515211007724. https://doi.org/10.1177/01655515211007724