How Would You How Would You React to React to a Major a Major

Hurricane ?Hurricane ?

Disaster Planning Disaster Planning to Mitigate to Mitigate

ImpactsImpacts

Hoot GibsonTerry EbbertBob McGoughPatty KuntzBill Bozzo

National Environmental

Partnership Summit, New Orleans, May 8, 2007

TerminologyTerminology• Watch: Hurricane conditions possible

within 36 hours• Warning: Hurricane force winds are

expected in 24 hours or less• Hurricane Strength (Safford-Simpson Scale)

• Wetlands Surge Rule: Each 2.7 miles absorbs 1 foot of surge

Cat Wind-mph Surge-ft Damage

1 74-95 4-5 Unanchored mobile homes & trees

2 96-110 6-8 Mobile homes, Structure roof, door, and window damage

3 111-130 9-12 Some structural damage & curtain wall failure

4 131-155 13-18 Some roof failures, extensive curtain wall failure

5 >155 >18 Many roof failures, some complete building failures

• 4 PM CDT Tuesday• Sustained Winds 35 MPH

Katrina Builds, Nears Florida Katrina Builds, Nears Florida

Katrina Builds, Nears FloridaKatrina Builds, Nears Florida• 4 AM CDT Wednesday• Sustained Winds 35 MPH

Katrina Builds, Nears FloridaKatrina Builds, Nears Florida• 4 PM CDT Wednesday• Sustained Winds 45 MPH

Katrina Builds, Nears FloridaKatrina Builds, Nears Florida• 4 AM CDT Thursday• Sustained Winds 50 MPH

Katrina Builds, Nears FloridaKatrina Builds, Nears Florida• 4 PM CDT Thursday• Sustained Winds 75 MPH (Cat 1)

Katrina Leaves FloridaKatrina Leaves Florida• 4 AM CDT Friday• Sustained Winds 75 MPH (Cat 1)

• 4 PM CDT Friday• Sustained Winds 100 MPH (Cat 2)

Katrina Track Moves WestKatrina Track Moves West

• 10 PM CDT Friday• Sustained Winds 105 MPH (Cat 2)

Katrina Track Moves WestKatrina Track Moves West

Katrina’s Energy SourceKatrina’s Energy Source

• 4 AM CDT Saturday• Sustained Winds 115 MPH (Cat 3)

Katrina Track Moves WestKatrina Track Moves West

Hurricane Watch IssuedHurricane Watch Issued• 10 AM CDT Saturday• Sustained Winds 115 MPH (Cat 3)

• 4 PM CDT Saturday• Sustained Winds 115 MPH (Cat 3)

Hurricane WatchHurricane Watch

Evacuation ConsiderationsEvacuation Considerations

• 1 million people in 38 hours

• 10 PM CDT Saturday• Sustained Winds 115 MPH (Cat 3)

Hurricane Warning IssuedHurricane Warning Issued

• 4 AM CDT Sunday• Sustained Winds 145 MPH (Cat 4)

Hurricane WarningHurricane Warning

• 4 PM CDT Sunday• Sustained Winds 165 MPH (Cat 5)

Hurricane WarningHurricane Warning

• 4 AM CDT Monday• Sustained Winds 150 MPH (Cat 4)

Katrina’s 1Katrina’s 1stst Gulf Landfall Gulf Landfall

• 10 AM CDT Monday• Sustained Winds 125 MPH (Cat 3)

Katrina’s 2Katrina’s 2ndnd Gulf Landfall Gulf Landfall

• 4 PM CDT Monday• Sustained Winds 75 MPH (Cat 1)

Katrina DowngradesKatrina Downgrades

Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

Scale of FloodingScale of Flooding

• Tidal Surge Damages Tank

• Nearly 50 spillsoccur

• Spill Contaminates 2000 Homes

Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

Sociological ImpactSociological Impact

Economic ImpactEconomic Impact

Post Katrina – Next 2 WeeksPost Katrina – Next 2 Weeks

• What are your:– Actions– Priorities– Challenges

Challenges: Challenges: City of New OrleansCity of New Orleans

• Transportation/Sheltering• Mission vs Compliance• Risk Management vs Risk Avoidance

– Mission vs Resources (Funding)– Pets, Guns, ADA

• Command and Control– Joint Field Office– Logistics/Push– Distribution of Assets

Rita ApproachesRita Approaches• 4 PM CDT Sunday• Sustained Winds 40 MPH

Rita Approaches GulfRita Approaches Gulf• 4 PM CDT Monday• Sustained Winds 70 MPH

Rita Approaches GulfRita Approaches Gulf• 4 PM CDT Tuesday• Sustained Winds 100 MPH (Cat 2)

Hurricane Watch IssuedHurricane Watch Issued• 4 PM CDT Wednesday• Sustained Winds 165 MPH (Cat 5)

Hurricane WatchHurricane Watch• 4 AM CDT Thursday• Sustained Winds 175 MPH (Cat 5)

Hurricane Warning IssuedHurricane Warning Issued• 4 PM CDT Thursday• Sustained Winds 145 MPH (Cat 4)

Hurricane WarningHurricane Warning• 4 PM CDT Friday• Sustained Winds 125 MPH (Cat 3)

Rita’s LandfallRita’s Landfall• 4 AM CDT Saturday• Sustained Winds 120 MPH (Cat 3)

Rita DowngradesRita Downgrades• 4 PM CDT Saturday• Sustained Winds 50 MPH

Rita ImpactsRita Impacts

Goals: City of New OrleansGoals: City of New Orleans

• Create “Preference to Evacuate”– User friendly shelter plan– Better personal evacuation plans

• Improve Special Assistance– Medical special needs– Elderly and hospitals– Lack of transportation

• Enhance city security– Safety of city employees– Protection of equipment– Anti-looting

ConclusionsConclusions

• Business Continuity Implications– Environmental– Economic– Social

• Planning and Practicing

• Second Guessing