In a New York Minute

“It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark” — Howard Ruff

Leafing through a magazine recently, I came across an ad for Feeding America that read, “The storm just hit and we went from donating to the food bank to needing it.” Life can change in a New York minute. 

Disasters can be natural or man-made; occur with fair warning or no warning at all. Disasters do not need to impact whole populations; a family losing control of their vehicle and going off a cliff can be considered a disaster. And despite all that technology can provide, warnings cannot prevent disasters. 

Think about what occurred on I-95 near Fredericksburg, Virginia, on January 3, 2022, when travelers became stranded for over 17 hours. Just two days previously, the temperature was an unseasonable 61 degrees. Between seven and 11 inches of snow accumulated in the area on the third, with much of it freezing as the sun went down. 

Despite warnings to the contrary, drivers took to the roads, returning from the holidays. Even after more than 2,000 calls about conditions on I-95, this major East Coast north/south artery remained open. A Virginia Department of Transportation review of the incident acknowledged key state agencies “lost situational awareness.” Most stranded drivers lacked any provisions or supplies to buffer them from the bitter cold. 

 According to a 2021 Wells Fargo financial survey, four out five Americans live in an area that has been subject to some sort of disaster in the preceding three years. Yet, despite the vulnerability, 40 percent of those surveyed say they’ve never thought about making a detailed emergency plan. 

In addition to lacking a physical plan, many Americans also are not prepared financially. The survey found that less than half of the respondents have started an emergency savings account, and about 40 percent say they have no emergency cash at home. In addition, only half of those surveyed have recently reviewed insurance policies to see if they have the needed coverage should disaster strike. 

Moreover, only about a third of respondents who are parents have discussed the implications of disasters with their school-age children or have made plans for those children in case the parents can’t get home. Alarmingly, survey results indicate only 13 percent have discussed disaster plans with their extended family, neighbors, or community. 

While disasters are an equal opportunity battle axe, recovery is not. According to a Brookings study, females—who account for over half of the 200 million people affected annually by natural disasters globally—are typically at greater risk from natural hazards than males, particularly in underdeveloped nations or among the poor. 

The United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction network views poverty as both a driver and consequence of disasters. Those impoverished are more likely to live in hazard-exposed areas and the lack of access to insurance and social protection means that people in poverty use their already limited assets to buffer disaster losses, driving them further into poverty. The communities in which they live cannot support prevention measures, making impoverished areas more vulnerable and devastation greater during disasters. 

Age, disability, language, legal status, and location are all factors that can make someone more vulnerable during times of crisis: 

• As the US population has grown, more individuals are residing in coastal and flood-prone areas. 
• Disaster loss in rural areas may be less visible, as rural livelihoods have little or no surplus capacity to absorb crop or livestock income losses. 
• Warnings and instructions related to disaster preparations and relief are commonly in English, leading to mis- or even non-communication across many communities. 
• Social protection programs providing safety nets and disaster relief are not available to those with a questionable legal status. Even when available, many individuals are hesitant to seek relief for fear of prosecution.

Each September, US government agencies join with over 3,000 organizations globally to highlight what can be done at the individual and community levels to prepare for a disaster. In the US, this is done in part to commemorate the tragedies that occurred in our country on September 11, 2001. 

This year’s campaigns focus on older adults, who can be disproportionately impacted by disasters. Mobility, chronic disease processes, and lack of family or social connections all play a role in making those with advanced age more vulnerable. For example, of those who perished during 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, over 70 percent were 65 or older. 

Several US websites can assist with disaster planning, including those of the CDC, HHS, FEMA, and Homeland Security. Each site outlines how to set up a basic emergency kit, including food, water, and medications; how and which legal and medical documents to protect; how to handle assistive devices; how to prepare pets; how to plan an evacuation route; and how to communicate with family and community members. 

So, this September, start building or reinforcing your preparedness ark—before the rain comes. When the rain arrives, you’ll be glad you did. ▼

Sharon A. Morgan is a retired advanced practice nurse with over 30 years of clinical and healthcare policy background.