Recovery

Many first responders deal with a stigma that if they’re not tough enough to handle some of the worst events one can see, they need to leave the field. That’s not true and they need to know it’s OK to ask for help.

(TNS) - Three decades after the Loma Prieta Earthquake, local landmarks are rebuilt on legacies of their former existence, while others are made famous for surviving the temblor.

A drive through Mexico Beach tells visitors all they need to know about what happened in the small coastal town: large empty slabs of land, no gas stations, no sit-down restaurants and lots of food trailers set up.

Even after getting $1.3 billion in assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies, much of the region remained devastated from Michael's estimated $25 billion in total damage.

Unreliable communications make disaster recovery more dangerous, and for state, local and federal first responders, a decentralized communication system enables low-cost, long-range connectivity and situational awareness.

Debris removal, so far, is estimated at $90,000, and that number will grow. Emergency protective measures totaled $10,000, and repairing public utilities is estimated at $210,000, for a public property total of $310,000.

David Maurstad, FEMA flood chief, was in St. Louis on Monday to speak with Mississippi River mayors about disaster preparedness money and acknowledged the recognition that you can’t just do mitigation after a disaster.

The storm battered much of southeast Texas last week, and officials still are surveying many of the worst-flooded areas. It’s not clear if the region had enough damage for Gov. Greg Abbott to request FEMA assistance.

A spokeswoman for the island’s Emergency Management Agency said that there were no immediate reports of damage following the quake. The National Weather Service in San Juan also said there’s no risk of a tsunami.

Charley brought the strongest winds. Frances officially devolved to tropical storm status in Polk County, while Jeanne was still at Category 1 strength, but both slow-moving Frances and Jeanne brought much rain.

Ohio lawmakers are expected to consider new legislation that would speed up the process of devaluing damaged or destroyed properties, which could significantly reduce next year’s tax obligations.

Because it was so intense and slow-moving, and because it so narrowly missed Palm Beach County, Dorian forced Floridians to face the possibility of massive destruction, despite the state's decades-long efforts in mitigation.

Puerto Rico’s decade-long recession, years of austerity programs, federal programs unprepared to deal with the idiosyncratic island, corruption fears and excessive oversight are all creating obstacles.

"Rain is falling faster than we can drain," Doug Canant, district engineer for Jefferson County Drainage District 6, said in a statement to county officials during Thursday's frantic response to the unfolding disaster.

What separates Disaster Tourism from journalism is that the former is more concerned with providing an experience rather than educating the public. The disconnect is a lack of understanding with regards to both timing and situational awareness.