Compounding Disasters in Gulf Coast Communities 2020-2021 Impacts, Findings, and Lessons Learned (2024) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
3 Compounding Disasters in the Gulf of Mexico Region: 20202021
3 Compounding Disasters in the Gulf of Mexico Region: 20202021
Pages 103-148
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 103... ...
This section of the chapter includes a description of the format of the information-gathering sessions, summaries of the content of the sessions, and discussion of the common themes that arose in each session. SYNOPSIS OF DISRUPTIVE EVENTS Detailing the costs, frequency, and number of previous disasters in the GOM region provides important context; however, to fully grasp the toll these compounding disasters exact on affected individuals and communities, a closer, qualitative examination is required.
|
From page 104... ...
COVID-19 spread expansively in time and space throughout the GOM region, complicating the dynamics of all other disaster events throughout the region. A graphic from the Fifth National Climate Assessment (USGCRP, 2023)
|
From page 105... ...
Medically high- Increased risk Increased risk Life-threatening risk risk patients Matrix: Psychological Stressorsk Potentially Exposure to Exposure to COVID-19 illness traumatic storm hazards storm hazards Hospitalization, ICU events Personal injury Personal injury admission, mechanical Perceived threat Perceived threat ventilation to life to life Life threat Exposures at work Loss Loss of life Loss of life Loss of life Damage/ Damage/loss of Isolation loss of home, home Loss of employment possessions Life change Displacement Displacement Work/school from home from home disruptions Financial Financial Isolation hardship hardship Financial hardship Workforce stress Increased workload/ hours Mental exhaustion Balancing work/home demands continued
|
From page 106... ...
106 COMPOUNDING DISASTERS IN GULF COAST COMMUNITIES 2020–2021 TABLE 3-1 Continued Disaster Health Winter Storm Consequences Hurricanesa Uri COVID-19 Health Care Access and Disruption of Services Damage to Moderate to Moderate to None facilities severe severe Damage Moderate to Moderate to None to power, severe severe infrastructure Redirected Facility- Facility- Extensive -- entire services specific -- specific -- units/facilities shifted related to related to to COVID-19 impact on impact on Prolonged and periodic facility facility Time-limited Time-limited Disruption of Facility- Facility- Extensive, widespread services specific -- specific -- Prolonged and periodic related to related to impact on impact on facility facility Time-limited Time-limited Public Health Services and Workforce Public health Active Active Lead role role participatory participatory role role Risk of harm/ Negligible Negligible Tens of thousands death for of public health public health professionals sickened personnel and hundreds of frontline personnel died in GOM region Disruption of Major but brief Major but brief Extreme and prolonged services Community Statewide in throughout GOM level Texas region Work stress for Significant Severe/ Unprecedented/ personnel relatively brief prolonged Increased workload/hours Mental exhaustion Balancing work/home demands
|
From page 107... ...
Winter Storm Uri, and COVID-19; Table 3-2 shows total deaths, deaths per 100,000 GOM residents attributable to COVID-19, and rating GOM states for COVID-19 mortality. COVID-19 Mortality in Gulf of Mexico States COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in the United States in 2020 and 2021.
|
From page 108... ...
108 TABLE 3-2 Total Deaths, Deaths per 100,000 Residents Attributable to COVID-19, and GOM State Rankings for COVID-19 Mortality Rates 2020 2021 Rate/ State Rank for Rate/ State Rank for 100,000 COVID-19 100,000 COVID-19 Deaths Residents Mortality Rate Deaths Residents Mortality Rate U.S.* 350,831 85.0 - 416,893 104.1 Louisiana 6,533 118.0 6 6,329 116.9 16 Mississippi 4,466 123.5 4 5,082 146.3 5 Texas 30,840 105.2 9 44516 151.4 3 Alabama 6,544 103.6 11 9,491 152.8 2 *
|
From page 109... ...
Simultaneously, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season produced a record total 30 named storms, including 11 that made landfall in the United States (NOAA, 2021m) .1 In August 2021, the situation in the GOM region was repeated when, again, GOM states led the nation in a massive flare-up of COVID-19 cases.
|
From page 110... ...
Throughout 2020–2021, the emergence and spread of COVID-19 transformed the public health risk of compounding disasters in the GOM region by amplifying health-compromising exposures and underlying vulnerabilities and modifying emergency procedures for weather-climate events. Trivedi (2023, p.
|
From page 111... ...
That storm spawned an EF0 tornado south of Tallahassee, Florida, and wind damage caused power outages and tree damage in much of North Florida. Figure 3-2 depicts the tracks of the hurricanes and tropical storms in the GOM region in 2020–2021.
|
From page 112... ...
Hanna's primary hazards included excessive rainfall, rip currents, and winds. New Orleans experienced street flooding as the outer bands from the developing storm skirted the Gulf coast (NOAA, 2021c)
|
From page 113... ...
. Hurricane Delta 10/9/20 LA, MS 2.9B+ 2 Winds and rainfall from Delta compromised already weakened structures damaged by Hurricane Laura.
|
From page 114... ...
. Tropical Storm Claudette 6/18/21 SE LA, MS, 375M 4 Claudette moved onshore south of Houma, Louisiana.
|
From page 115... ...
and a minimum central pressure of 930 millibars. Ida was of KY and VA, one of three hurricanes in recorded history to make landfall in Louisiana with SW VA 150 mph winds, along with Hurricane Laura in 2020 and the Last Island hurricane of 1856.
|
From page 116... ...
. Extreme cold temperatures and winter weather overwhelmed parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi during a weeklong storm event -- Winter Storm Uri -- in February 2021.
|
From page 117... ...
COMPOUNDING DISASTERS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO REGION: 2020–2021 117 TABLE 3-4 Tornadic Events in Gulf of Mexico States in 2020–2021 Date(s) GOM State(s)
|
From page 118... ...
SOURCE: NOAA, 2019. IMPACTS OF COMPOUNDING DISASTERS IN REGIONS OF TEXAS, LOUISIANA, AND ALABAMA To gain an understanding of how compounding disasters affect the lives and livelihoods of individuals who live and work in the GOM region, the Committee on Compounding Disasters in Gulf Coast Communities, 2020–2021, held a series of 13 in-person information-gathering sessions with local, state, and federal representatives from two adjacent counties/ parishes in three GOM states: Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas.
|
From page 119... ...
When defining the recovery time lines in Figure 3-4, the committee asked session participants to identify specific indicators they view as signs that a community has "recovered" from a disaster. The committee found that there is no single indicator or consistent set of indicators that represent when or if a community and its members have fully recovered.
|
From page 120... ...
. Following the definition of recovery indicators and time lines, discussions with participants focused on COVID-19's impacts on disaster preparation, adaptations and/or changes in preparations for the 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons, specific impacts of the identified disasters, "bright spots," and lessons learned.
|
From page 121... ...
; (2) public officials representing floodplain and emergency management, homeland security and public safety, housing, engineering, and public health in Harris County (Harris Officials Panel)
|
From page 122... ...
As a result, at the time of Winter Storm Uri, Texas was still sheltering Louisiana residents from Hurricane Laura, all within the restrictions necessary to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. A secondary hazard event, Hurricane Nicholas, a Category 1 storm that made landfall in mid-September 2021, also affected these areas.
|
From page 123... ...
Panelists listed recovery indicators that included repair of burst pipes and backed-up sewer lines, restoration of power, a decline in boil-water notices, the ability to ship donated blood, hospitals being "normal busy" instead of in "catastrophic mode," and dialysis centers reopening with the ability to admit more patients. Harris County officials noted that disaster recovery is often seen at the community level and can be considered concluded when everyone is "whole" and back to work again.
|
From page 124... ...
Realized Impacts of 2020–2021 Disasters Winter Storm Uri was a weeklong event that included multiple days of dangerously cold temperatures that affected the GOM region, compounding the severity of power and water outages, disruption of renewable energy production, and transportation stoppages. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
|
From page 125... ...
So, I think that needs to be addressed." Another state official expressed the need for greater collaboration with houses of worship and other local purveyors of information to improve pathways for trusted and accurate risk communication. Moreover, many people had relocated to Harris County prior to Winter Storm Uri, but many were unfamiliar with emergency protocols, shelter locations, and evacuation routes used in hurricane preparations that would have provided a level of familiarity with general emergency protocols.
|
From page 126... ...
According to traditional risk assessment, planners are advised to identify and prioritize risks with the highest probability of occurring locally. This approach can lead to the neglect of atypical and rarer events and leave communities susceptible to an unanticipated, but not unimaginable, event such as Winter Storm Uri.
|
From page 127... ...
has been working with social scien tists to improve communication products, notably the tropical cyclone "cone of uncertainty" product. In early 2024, the NHC announced the upcoming release of an experimental tropical cyclone forecast cone graphic for the 2024 hurricane season (NOAA, 2024)
|
From page 128... ...
. In the second session, the committee heard from Cameron Parish government officials representing floodplain and emergency management, health care, and parish administration (Cameron Public Officials Panel)
|
From page 129... ...
Hurricane Zeta caused some flooding in Cameron Parish, and its impacts also siphoned resources to other areas, affecting Calcasieu and Cameron Parish residents still shelter ing in New Orleans after Hurricane Laura. Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 brought extreme cold weather with freezing rain, causing pipes to burst and acutely affecting water systems for homes and public buildings, such as hospitals and dialysis centers, that were still damaged from Hurricane Laura.
|
From page 130... ...
Panelists noted that new construction was just starting at the time of the information-gathering session in late 2022. Panelists also agreed that COVID-19 and the series of climate and weather-related events follow ing Hurricane Laura prolonged the overall recovery time line, prompting one panelist to quip, "The term compounding disasters -- we've got to be the poster child for that." Having sufficient federal support and cooperation was mentioned as a key factor in the recovery process.
|
From page 131... ...
Delta's winds caused even more power outages, in part because of trees damaged in Laura, further exacerbating utility recovery. Calcasieu and Cameron Parish residents also struggled to access health care facilities after the storms.
|
From page 132... ...
Areas flooded that had never flooded before, in part because of accumulating hurricane debris clogging waterways, explained one participant. At one point, before Delta's landfall, residents were advised to "secure your debris," which they had heaped streetside following the instructions after Hurricane Laura.
|
From page 133... ...
Several panelists mentioned that Hurricane Ida and Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 were additional weather-related events that further interrupted and delayed recovery from Hurricanes Sally and Zeta. These counties
|
From page 134... ...
Recovery Indicators and Timing Panelists listed short-term indicators such as debris removal (which typically is slower in more rural areas of the county) , seeing fewer blue tarps on roofs, power restoration, rebuilding of homes or new construction, reengagement of social connections and networks, insurance claims being settled, schools back in session, and shelters closing.
|
From page 135... ...
One Mobile County official noted that Sally damaged 57 schools and Zeta, 34, explaining that "when you've got that kind of magnitude on the first round and then you've got to come back and determine what Sally damaged and Zeta damaged, and [deal with] insurance [and]
|
From page 136... ...
Utilities were severely compromised after what one panelist referred to as a "weird anomaly of a storm." Power outages lasted for 2–3 weeks after Sally. Many medically vulnerable, electricity-dependent residents were disproportionately affected by the power outages and reduced transportation options resulting from downed trees and closed roads.
|
From page 137... ...
Those are all significant impacts on locations and all kinds of operations. – Harris County Public Official A consistent theme in panelists' remarks was that the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the GOM region's historical approach to disaster preparation, response, and recovery, illuminating the emergent understanding of the concept and impact of compounding disasters.
|
From page 138... ...
Evacuation COVID-19 increased residents' reluctance to evacuate during the 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons or to seek warming centers during Winter Storm Uri. Even if they were willing to evacuate, social distancing or the fear of contracting or transmitting COVID-19 prevented them from sheltering with family or friends.
|
From page 139... ...
One innovation to emerge from Winter Storm Uri was to convert buses, hub houses, and nursing homes into warming centers where people could be safely physically distanced. Panelists discussed the multiple trade-off decisions necessitated by the compounding disasters of the COVID-19 pandemic and weather-climate events.
|
From page 140... ...
Robust social networks that play such a critical role during recovery were less able to function in that vital capacity because of COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing. As a key example throughout the GOM region, fewer people were attending and donating to faith-based organizations (FBOs)
|
From page 141... ...
– Harris County NGO Leader I think there needs to be some way we could help the community, especially in lower socioeconomic situations, help them prepare. – Galveston County Public Official Vulnerable populations, including low-income households, undocumented residents, people of color, seniors, medically high-risk patients, and non-native English speakers, were often among those most affected by the compounding disasters, and a topic discussed at length by panelists in the information-gathering sessions.
|
From page 142... ...
. Panelists in Texas noted how disproportionate impacts were felt at multiple levels during and after Winter Storm Uri.
|
From page 143... ...
of Texas population experiencing blackouts among minority quintiles during the winter storm of February 15–18, 2021. This shows that the share of Texas population experiencing blackouts increased with the share of minorities in a Census Block Group.a a A Census Block Group is a geographical unit used by the United States Census Bureau.
|
From page 144... ...
Non-native English speakers, particularly in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, who were faced with significant flooding, water and soil contamination, and power outages, encountered equity, trust, language, and access challenges. "Disasters hit them harder," an NGO panelist explained, "and the recovery is even longer.
|
From page 145... ...
A Harris County NGO leader stated, "There is a whole population of people whose homes can never get fully repaired, and when the next disaster strikes the grant money will be gone." Many homes with damage from disasters prior to Winter Storm Uri were further damaged by the deep freeze but were denied coverage or reimbursement from their insurance companies or FEMA after the storm struck. In 2020–2021, many GOM residents were still grappling with protracted and incomplete recoveries from hurricanes that had occurred as long as a decade earlier.
|
From page 146... ...
Meanwhile, for parents with frontline response roles, an additional complication was balancing their work demands with managing their children's roller-coaster educational progress. The ripple effects of multiple disaster impacts throughout the GOM region, exacerbated by COVID-19, depleted the resources and personnel needed for recovery for all affected communities.
|
From page 147... ...
Throughout 2020–2021, the emergence and spread of COVID-19 transformed the public health risk of compounding disasters in the GOM region by amplifying health-compromising exposures and underlying vulnerabilities while modifying emergency procedures for weather-climate events. With the onset and aftermath of each successive disruptive event, the effects within communities compounded and recovery processes became prolonged.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.