“We had prepared for an emergency. The emergency we had prepared for was an act of terrorism, not this.” Water is incredibly destructive. “Future Is in Limbo for the Damaged Buildings Close to the Water’s Edge“
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State of the Coast Conference June 8-10, Louisiana
Posted on November 9, 2009
From the press release: State of the Coast: Implementing a Sustainable Coast for Louisiana June 8-10, 2010, Baton Rouge, Louisiana The Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and many others have partnered together to host the State of the Coast (SOC) Conference. […]
The Costs of Not Preparing for Climate Change
Posted on September 30, 2009
Even the most conservative project puts sea level rise at 0.5 meter (1.6 feet) higher than current levels. The HRI Socio-Economics Group was asked by the Environmental Defense Fund, with support from the British Consulate General in Houston, to assess what the socio-economic impact might be for the Galveston Bay region of Texas. HRI Endowed […]
Training Opportunity: FEMA 550 – Residential Construction for Gulf Coast Design Professionals
Posted on September 3, 2009
FEMA will be offering its “Recommended Residential Construction for the Gulf Coast Design Professionals” course on September 15, 8:00am – 4:15pm at the Army National Guard Emergency Operations Training Auditorium in Gulfport. Details from the flier: This 1-day course on FEMA 550, Recommended Residential Construction for the Gulf Coast, developed by FEMA is geared to […]
New Report Shows How Urban Governments are Adapting to Climate Change
Posted on July 27, 2009
The Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) released a report highlighting the innovative measures local governments are beginning to implement to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change. Developed by CCAP’s Urban Leaders Adaption Initiative, the report, Ask the Climate Question: Adapting to Climate Change Impacts in Urban Regions, (PDF, 1.8MB) offers best practices […]
Study Finds Florida Home Retrofitting Program Cost Effective
Posted on June 23, 2009
A new assessment of the “My Safe Flordia Home” program found that while there was room for improvement, the program saved more than it cost. More precisely, it found that each dollar spent in the program reduced risk by $1.50. Perhaps most relevant for those working in coastal communities in a time of limited resources, […]
Funding Available! FEMA's Unified Hazard Mitigation Grant Period Begins
Posted on June 9, 2009
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant program provides funding for eligible mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages. In the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) co-administer these grants, and to assist sub-applicants they will be hosting briefings […]
New Cape Cod Flood Maps Project Greater Risk
Posted on June 2, 2009
An article in the Cape Cod Times today reports the results, and some thoughts, on the preliminary revisions of FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for some Cap Cod Communities. For anybody who has been following the issue anywhere along our nation’s coastlines, it’s not surprising to see that rates are expected to increase. It’s […]
REPORT: Interagency Study Concludes Structural Shore Protection Can't Solve All Problems
Posted on May 28, 2009
The Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force (a group organized by the U.S. Corps of Engineers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina) has released a draft of a report evaluating the performance of the New Orleans hurricane protection system during Hurricane Katrina and to assess the risks posed to the New Orleans region by future tropical […]
Rising Sea Levels: Survival Tips from 5000 BC
Posted on May 26, 2009
Recent research has shown that sites in the Caribbean dating back to 5000 BC experienced sea level rise that was “just as bad as anything we are expecting.” Not only did these civilizations survive a changing coastline and more storm surges, but also they stayed put and successfully adapted to the changing world. Ongoing reseach […]