This paper outlines a multi-part hurricane response strategy informed by lessons from disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Andrew. It addresses the challenges of managing disaster zones, including controlling access to damaged areas, conducting systematic search-and-rescue operations, deploying National Guard personnel, and maintaining transparent public communication. The paper argues that while any hurricane response involves controlled chaos, adherence to consistent best practices — such as perimeter security, door-to-door verification, phased repopulation, and missing persons tracking — can minimize casualties and restore order efficiently without resorting to excessive force or martial law.
As proven by events like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Andrew, hurricanes are never a good thing and are always a logistical nightmare. Those two storms stand out among many others because the death and destruction they caused was off the charts. Looters and unauthorized individuals tend to be common in the aftermath, as opportunistic actors always take advantage of such calamities. However, some unauthorized entrants are simply searching for loved ones. Regardless of motive, people entering the affected area other than trained and well-equipped emergency personnel are the last thing a hurricane zone needs. While any hurricane response strategy will involve controlled chaos, there are best practices that must be consistently employed.
One plan that must be implemented immediately is the cordoning off of the worst-affected areas — especially those that are impassable — to prevent looting and to keep additional people from being hurt or requiring rescue. While an area is being searched and cleared, only outbound movement should be permitted. People engaging in criminal activity should be arrested and held for as long as legally possible to keep them out of the affected zone. The most reliable way to ensure this is to maintain detention.
People found in the area who are not obviously breaking the law should be issued one warning and, if they refuse to comply with the order to vacate, should be detained. Martial law is an overreach and would not be accepted by the public, but individuals who refuse to protect their own safety must be prevented from becoming a nuisance or endangering themselves and others through their actions or inactions (Dao, 2005).
The second element of this strategy is a door-to-door verification to confirm that no people remain in the affected structures. Forced entry will be avoided where possible, but any homes that are clearly flooded or structurally collapsed will be inspected to ensure no one is inside. Cadaver dogs and other less intrusive means will be employed throughout this process. Homeowners will be given the opportunity to call in and confirm that no one is present at their residence, eliminating the need for forced entry or structural damage in those cases.
"Controlled resident re-entry and limiting media presence"
"State and federal military assistance coordination"
"Informing residents and tracking missing individuals"
Dao, J. (2005, September 1). New Orleans is awaiting deliverance. The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/02/national/nationalspecial/02orleans.html
Fussell, E. (2010, January 1). Race, socioeconomic status, and return migration to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. National Institute of Health. Retrieved July 28, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2862006/
Greenhill, J. (2012, November 4). National Guard relieves suffering after Hurricane Sandy. ARMY.MIL, The Official Homepage of the United States Army. Retrieved July 28, 2014, from
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