The ShoreZone mapping system has been in use since the early 1980s and has been applied to more than 40,000 kilometers of shoreline in Washington and British Columbia—now Alaska’s extensive coastline is also being imaged and mapped. This project has been funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a number of other agencies and organizations throughout the years.
As Arctic sea ice continues to contract and thin, energy exploration and transportation activities will be increasing in the region, escalating the risk of oil spills and accidents. In anticipation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and interagency partners are actively preparing for these possible emergencies.
This website, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is an informational resource providing guidance on health- and safety-related issues related to preparing for natural disasters and severe weather. The site offers information on earthquakes, extreme heat, floods, hurricanes, landslides and mudslides, wildfire, tsunamis, and more. Information is categorized by hazard, and includes health and safety information pertinent for all disasters.
Ready is a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Sustainable and Climate Resilient Health Care Facilities Initiative (SCRHCFI) is an effort to help assure the continuity of quality health and human care before, during, and after extreme weather events.
Extreme weather events often lead to fatalities and a variety of health impacts on vulnerable populations, including impacts on mental health such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The phone-based Disaster App from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services helps responders provide quality support to survivors.
In addition to their immediate physical effects, extreme weather events can also have substantial psychological consequences on people (for example, losing a loved one, losing a home, or being forced to relocate). To help people plan for disasters and cope with their aftermath, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a webpage that collects numerous resources on disaster-specific preparedness and response.
Extreme weather events can damage or otherwise incapacitate dialysis facilities, endangering the individuals who rely on that treatment. The dialysis facility comparison tool allows users to search a list of all dialysis facilities registered with Medicare. Users can search by city, zip code, state, or facility name, and results include the addresses and phone numbers of the facilities. The tool also provides information about the services and quality of care provided by each facility.
More than 80 major storms have threatened Delaware’s coast over the past three decades, putting lives and property at risk. This resource suggests practical measures that can keep people safe and minimize damage to homes and property. While it is never possible to eliminate all damage from a natural disaster, homeowners can take action to implement many small and cost-effective steps that could significantly lower their risk.
Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps provide a concise summary of coastal resources that are at risk if an oil spill occurs nearby. Examples of at-risk resources include biological resources (such as birds and shellfish beds), sensitive shorelines (such as marshes and tidal flats), and human-use resources (such as public beaches and parks).