MOS6801
Unit IV: Major Disaster Declarations
Columbia Southern University
MOS6801
Sometimes a focusing event forces an administration to look at the policies in
place and evaluate whether they need updating. There can be several reasons for this, an
outcome that was unexpected, a flaw in planning becomes apparent, or even a completely
new form of emergency that has little to no planning in place. We will look at five major
disaster declarations since 2002 and investigate what we learned, were we prepared, did
the response meet the needs of the impacted communities, were special programs or
monies crated to better prepare, and how FEMA has changed in light of new information.
Emergency
Declarations
Date of Declaration State/Territory Event FEMA Disaster Focused President Issuing Declaratio
Relief, Improvements Declaration n
Current $
(in millions)
22-Aug-20 California Wildfires per
$21,481,954 See Text Trum DR-4558
(2021) p
2-Feb-21 Navajo Nation COVID-19 $0 See Text Biden DR-4582
Pandemic
8-Oct-08 Virgin Islands Hurricane $2,743,204 See Text Bush DR-1807
Omar (2021)
5-Nov-18 Alabama, Hurricane $1,635,852,51 See Text Trum DR-4406
Florida Michael 5 (2021) p
11-Sep-14 California Earthquake $45,144,326 See Text Obama DR-4193
(2021)
California Wildfires 2020
In 2020, California was inundated with a record setting wildfire season that
resulted in the burning of approximately 100 million acres of land (Yan, Mossberg,
Moshtaghain, Vercammen, 2020). The cause of these fires was predominantly lightning
, strikes, though arson has been suspected in some instances. California is routinely
ranked as one of the most susceptible to wildfire states. As such, they have taken a
leadership role in wildfire hazard and risk assessment ( Zurichna.com, 2020). Where
California was not prepared was the size and scope of the wildfires. There were some
takeaways from these fires that showed how lessons were learned from previous events
and how future events can be mitigated. First, the memory of the Tubbs fire, when
warnings were not issued to prevent panic and 22 people were killed. For these fires,
emergency announcements, warnings, and evacuations were ordered much earlier in the
event. Climate change is also effecting the abundance of potential fire fuel
sources, as dry conditions throughout the state have left underbrush perfect conduits for fire to
spread rapidly. FEMA met the needs of the community through relief efforts and support,
including monies for housing assistance, public assistance grants, and hazard mitigation
programs. FEMA also researched how wildfires can be contributing causes to the increased
severity of flashfloods in the area, even if they are not traditionally prone to such events, due the
changes in the landscape that would usually mitigate this effect.
Navajo Nation Covid-19 Pandemic 2021
Some emergencies are not on the radar of the authorities due to the recent discoveries or
belief that previous encounters with a similar event will be able to contain the situation. In
2020, COVID-19 created worldwide havoc and disruption to lives. Disaster relief within the
borders of the territories of the indigenous peoples. While the federal government has an
obligation through treaty to protect tribal rights, they are considered domestic dependent
nations. This prevents FEMA or other emergency organizations from responding as they would
in other parts of the United States. It would be foolish to ask whether the Navajo Nation was
Unit IV: Major Disaster Declarations
Columbia Southern University
MOS6801
Sometimes a focusing event forces an administration to look at the policies in
place and evaluate whether they need updating. There can be several reasons for this, an
outcome that was unexpected, a flaw in planning becomes apparent, or even a completely
new form of emergency that has little to no planning in place. We will look at five major
disaster declarations since 2002 and investigate what we learned, were we prepared, did
the response meet the needs of the impacted communities, were special programs or
monies crated to better prepare, and how FEMA has changed in light of new information.
Emergency
Declarations
Date of Declaration State/Territory Event FEMA Disaster Focused President Issuing Declaratio
Relief, Improvements Declaration n
Current $
(in millions)
22-Aug-20 California Wildfires per
$21,481,954 See Text Trum DR-4558
(2021) p
2-Feb-21 Navajo Nation COVID-19 $0 See Text Biden DR-4582
Pandemic
8-Oct-08 Virgin Islands Hurricane $2,743,204 See Text Bush DR-1807
Omar (2021)
5-Nov-18 Alabama, Hurricane $1,635,852,51 See Text Trum DR-4406
Florida Michael 5 (2021) p
11-Sep-14 California Earthquake $45,144,326 See Text Obama DR-4193
(2021)
California Wildfires 2020
In 2020, California was inundated with a record setting wildfire season that
resulted in the burning of approximately 100 million acres of land (Yan, Mossberg,
Moshtaghain, Vercammen, 2020). The cause of these fires was predominantly lightning
, strikes, though arson has been suspected in some instances. California is routinely
ranked as one of the most susceptible to wildfire states. As such, they have taken a
leadership role in wildfire hazard and risk assessment ( Zurichna.com, 2020). Where
California was not prepared was the size and scope of the wildfires. There were some
takeaways from these fires that showed how lessons were learned from previous events
and how future events can be mitigated. First, the memory of the Tubbs fire, when
warnings were not issued to prevent panic and 22 people were killed. For these fires,
emergency announcements, warnings, and evacuations were ordered much earlier in the
event. Climate change is also effecting the abundance of potential fire fuel
sources, as dry conditions throughout the state have left underbrush perfect conduits for fire to
spread rapidly. FEMA met the needs of the community through relief efforts and support,
including monies for housing assistance, public assistance grants, and hazard mitigation
programs. FEMA also researched how wildfires can be contributing causes to the increased
severity of flashfloods in the area, even if they are not traditionally prone to such events, due the
changes in the landscape that would usually mitigate this effect.
Navajo Nation Covid-19 Pandemic 2021
Some emergencies are not on the radar of the authorities due to the recent discoveries or
belief that previous encounters with a similar event will be able to contain the situation. In
2020, COVID-19 created worldwide havoc and disruption to lives. Disaster relief within the
borders of the territories of the indigenous peoples. While the federal government has an
obligation through treaty to protect tribal rights, they are considered domestic dependent
nations. This prevents FEMA or other emergency organizations from responding as they would
in other parts of the United States. It would be foolish to ask whether the Navajo Nation was
