Lessons learned from Hurricane Irma
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0513Keywords:
Hurricane, Irma, Emergency Management, Lessons Learned, Meteorology, Florida, TropicsAbstract
In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Emergency Managers looked at the challenges faced during the storm and found areas for improvement. Some of those challenges included evacuation procedures, staffing at the Emergency Operations Centers, slow debris removal times, and prolonged power outages. This research considers various counties impacted directly and indirectly by Hurricane Irma. The After-Action Reports of several counties have been summarized, including not only the problems, but recommendations for improving or preventing those problems from occurring again. The lessons learned from Hurricane Irma could lessen the impact of future storms, not only for those who dealt with Irma, but for all communities that can face high impact natural disasters.
References
National Hurricane Center: National Hurricane Center tropical cyclone report: Hurricane Irma. Accessed January 28, 2019. Available at: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL112017_Irma.pdf.
IEM. Fuel for thought: What Hurricane Irma taught us about evacuation planning. Accessed January 31, 2019. Available at: https://iem.com/fuel-for-thought-what-hurricane-irma-taught-usabout-evacuation-planning/.
Miami-Dade County. Hurricane Irma After-Action Report. Doral, FL: Miami-Dade Office of Emergency Management, 2018.
Sarasota County. Hurricane Irma After-Action Report/Improvement Plan. Sarasota, FL: Sarasota County Emergency Management, 2017.
Polk County. Hurricane Irma After-Action Report/Improvement Plan. Des Moines, IA: Polk County Emergency Management, 2017.
Charlotte County. (n.d.). After Action Report Hurricane Irma. Punta Gorda, FL: Charlotte County Emergency Management.
Florida Division of Emergency Management: Scott: More than 65 percent of power outages restored statewide. Available at: https://www.floridadisaster.org/news-media/news/gov.-scott-morethan-65-percent-of-power-outages-restored-statewide/. Accessed March 20, 2019.
Tampa Bay Times: Irma causes one of the largest disaster power outages in the nation. Available at: https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/nearly-a-million-tampa-bay-residents-stillwithout-power-after-irma/2337158. Accessed March 20, 2019.
Sun Sentinel: 12 nursing home deaths in Hollywood rules as homicides. Available at: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/hollywood-nursing-home-hurricane-deaths/fl-sb-nursing-homehomicides-official-20171122-story.html. Accessed March 13, 2019.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Deaths related to Hurricane Irma. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6730a5.htm. Accessed March 20, 2019.
People.com: Two teens and their mom die from carbon monoxide poisoning after running generator post Hurricane Irma. Available at: https://people.com/human-interest/family-poisoned-carbon-monoxide-hurricane-irma/. Accessed March 20, 2019.
Sumter County. Sumter County Response & Short-Term Recovery from 2017 Hurricane Irma. Wildwood, FL: Sumter County Emergency Management Division, 2018.
Pinellas County. Hurricane Irma After-Action Report. Largo, FL: Pinellas County Emergency Management, 2018.
Orange County Government: Emergency debris removal. Available at: http://www.orangecountyfl.net/traffictransportation/streetsanddrainagemaintenance/managingstormwateranddebriscleanup/emergencydebrisremoval.aspx#.XJltDPnwZaQ. Accessed March 25, 2019.
Collins J, Ersing R, Polen A, et al.: The effects of social connections on evacuation decision making during Hurricane Irma. Weather, Clim, Soc. 2018; (10): 459-469.
Florida Public Service Commission. Review of Florida’s Electric Utility Hurricane Preparedness and Restoration Actions. State of Florida, 2018.
Sun Sentinel: Sue ‘em, fine ‘em, resolve Hurricane Irma debris pickup war. Available at https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/editorials/fl-op-editorial-hurricane-irma-cleanup-20170921-story.html. Accessed May 2, 2019.
Brevard County. Hurricane Irma Response and Recovery. Rockledge, FL: Brevard County Emergency Management, 2017.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright 2007-2023, Weston Medical Publishing, LLC and Journal of Emergency Management. All Rights Reserved