In this podcast Pete Gaynor, the immediate past Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security shares what he knows about how the national disaster response system functions. The roles and responsibilities of local, state and the federal government. We also dive into some of the malicious lies being told about FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene and Milton.

The purchase of a home is likely the biggest investment that individuals and families will ever make during their lifetimes. In this podcast we discuss navigating the potential risks of a disaster impacting the property you might purchase and how to avoid making a home buying disaster.

First, I must say that much has been written about the Federal Emergency Management’s (FEMA) flood mapping capabilities. It feels like going back a decade or more there was a push to modernize the flood maps that are being used throughout the United States. Yet, every time there is a big flood, the maps are found lacking.

To answer that question is to say, “It is really bad!” We’ve now moved way beyond rumor control. I like most things about our very connected world that we inhabit today, but now the disinformation and outright lies are going to make anyone’s job in the profession of emergency management very difficult.

I can imagine that in this new century when in a job interview you might not be asked, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Today, I would not be surprised if someone asked instead, “What is your superpower?” I guess my response to that question is that, “I can control the weather!”  Sounds stupid? Well it is, but that is what is just one of the rumors out there on the Internet, along with FEMA is confiscating property from people and hoarding disaster supplies. 

The property insurance challenges are everywhere these days. This includes being able to find insurance, the price of insurance—and finally, when you suffer a loss, being paid for your property damages that you have paid premiums to a company to cover.

Hurricanes can be very deadly. Many deaths come from drowning when the ocean storm surge inundates the coastline and people have not evacuated. Then, as you move further inland, flooding from rains is another deadly killer, again usually from drowning and people driving through high water and being swept away.

Eric Holdeman

Oct 3, 2024, 8:53 PM (18 hours ago)

to me

I just watched one national news cast that was critical of the federal government’s disaster response to Hurricane Helene, especially in North Carolina.

In reality I don’t have “on the ground information” but I do know what is being done to respond from an organizational and priority perspective.

Once again, a disaster will teach a lesson that no one wants to learn. When flood waters inundate your home, your insurance (if you have it) won’t cover flood damage. Flood damages are only covered by an additional policy that is backed by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The value of continuous improvement and disaster mitigation is offered up on the altar of “saving money” and “making money” and if the Piper is to be paid, it hopefully won’t be on my watch. “Why should I spend money on something that only ‘might happen’ when there is a buck to be made or saved today?” 

The above type of thinking leads to deferred maintenance and weak building codes. Two news stories from today highlight both.

I came across an excellent article that addresses many, not all, of the issues that Hurricane Helene is bringing to light. Check out this Wired story, Hurricane Helene Shows How Broken the US Insurance System Is

At this writing we are 31 days out from the November election. Ever since 2016 and then again in 2020 people have questioned the integrity of our national election system that is administered at the county level. In this Disaster Zone Podcast we talk to one of the over 3,000 county election officials who administer elections

People like to be where there is sunshine, warmer temperatures in the winter and more opportunities for recreational activities. The fact that they are moving to locations that are at risk of having a major disaster is not on there list of options for location and the type of home they want to own.

People who are impacted by a significant disaster need help to arrive as soon as possible. In fact, it can’t arrive soon enough.

The forecasters were not wrong about Hurricane Helen. They predicted that it could rapidly increase in severity and the size of the storm was well understood. Storm surge predictions were on the money. However, the results were much more impactful than people expected.

All disasters have a  political aspect to them from the local, state and national level. When you have a mega disaster, shall I say “catastrophe” like Hurricane Helene the politics of a disaster goes sky-high in a presidential election year.

Rethink how long you need to be prepared to be without electrical power and factor that into your disaster preparedness equation—which includes the number of days you will be on your own.

This appears to be a new effort to help coordinate on a national level the support that can be provided by National Football stadiums. They are using the term “Mission Ready Venue.” I know back in the day we always worked to have good relationships with ballparks of all types, both baseball and football. But, this makes it more “official” and with backing from the National Football League.