Mitigation In Memphis Metro Area
One of the major hazards that many communities have dealt with in the recent past is flooding. The Memphis metropolitan area is no different. In fact, The Memphis metro area dealt with severe flooding as recently as 2011. With this being said, the overall goal of mitigation is an important factor in the preparation and response to disasters such as these. That goal being, to create economically secure, socially stable, better built, and more environmentally sound communities that are out of harm’s way (Haddow, Bullock, & Coppola, 2017).
The main mitigation tool available to those who are potentially exposed to flooding in our area is that of hazard identification and mapping. Additionally, structural controls are equally as important in the
preparedness phase. However in the response phase, insurance is a very important mitigation tool for obvious reasons. The mapping tool is widely used and available for any area in the United States that may be affected by flooding. Furthermore, these maps are available from the National Flood Insurance Program, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] (2017). At the same time, structural controls such as clearing debris from sewer and drainage systems are important mitigation tools in the preparedness phase of a flooding threat. Accordingly, the response phase’s main mitigation factors include insurance and financial incentives when available either by private entities or FEMA.
This emphasis on mitigation tools is not intended to prevent disasters or potential hazards. However, it is intended to minimize the impact of the hazard. Communities such as Memphis will continue to learn from each incident and hopefully use what is learned to create and improve upon existing mitigation tools for the next incident or disaster.
References
Haddow, G. D., Bullock, J. A., & Coppola, D. P. (2017). Introduction to emergency management. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann
National Flood Insurance Program: Flood Hazard Mapping. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2017, from https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-flood-hazard-mapping
The main mitigation tool available to those who are potentially exposed to flooding in our area is that of hazard identification and mapping. Additionally, structural controls are equally as important in the
preparedness phase. However in the response phase, insurance is a very important mitigation tool for obvious reasons. The mapping tool is widely used and available for any area in the United States that may be affected by flooding. Furthermore, these maps are available from the National Flood Insurance Program, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] (2017). At the same time, structural controls such as clearing debris from sewer and drainage systems are important mitigation tools in the preparedness phase of a flooding threat. Accordingly, the response phase’s main mitigation factors include insurance and financial incentives when available either by private entities or FEMA.
This emphasis on mitigation tools is not intended to prevent disasters or potential hazards. However, it is intended to minimize the impact of the hazard. Communities such as Memphis will continue to learn from each incident and hopefully use what is learned to create and improve upon existing mitigation tools for the next incident or disaster.
References
Haddow, G. D., Bullock, J. A., & Coppola, D. P. (2017). Introduction to emergency management. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann
National Flood Insurance Program: Flood Hazard Mapping. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2017, from https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-flood-hazard-mapping