DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Nov 04 2025EDUCATION

A Day to Honor Heroes: SLU's Veterans Week Kicks Off

Southeastern Louisiana University is gearing up for a big week of events to honor veterans. The highlight? A special lecture on Veterans Day, November 11th, at 11 a. m. in the Student Union Theatre. The guest speaker is retired U. S. Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, who's got a lot of stories to share. He's a big deal in leadership and disaster management, especially ...

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Oct 26 2025WEATHER

Jamaica Braces for Powerful Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa is on a collision course with Jamaica, expected to hit as a category 4 storm with winds over 130 mph. This storm is not to be taken lightly, as it can cause severe damage and flooding. The storm is currently moving northwest and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). Melissa is the 13th hurrica...

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Jul 10 2025ENVIRONMENT

Flood Warnings: Who Pays the Price?

In Texas, Kerr County faced a tough choice: invest in a flood warning system or risk lives. The county knew the danger. Nearby, Wimberley County had already lost 13 people to flooding. Kerr County's officials wanted to act, but money was the problem. They looked to FEMA for help, but the state turned down their request. Then, they checked state funds, but the grants ...

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May 13 2025ENVIRONMENT

Local Wisdom in the Forefront of Natural Hazard Prediction

In the vast, rural landscapes of South Africa, local communities have been honing their skills in predicting natural hazards for generations. These skills are not just hobbies, but crucial tools for survival. The Joe Morolong Local Municipality in the Northern Cape is one such place where this traditional knowledge is alive and well. This knowledge is not just about ...

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May 08 2025HEALTH

How Disasters Hit Those Fighting Opioid Addiction

The opioid crisis has been a major public health issue since 2017. It is still a big problem. During this time, there were 164 disasters that cost 1 billion dollars or more. These events can be very tough on people who use drugs. But, how well do opioid treatment programs handle these disasters? This is an important question. The goal is to make these programs strong...

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Jan 04 2025ENVIRONMENT

How Mindset Shapes Up for Mountain Disasters

Let's dive into how our thoughts and feelings can greatly impact how ready we are for disasters, especially in places like the mountainous regions of China. Researchers have been looking at the link between our minds and how well we prepare for four different kinds of disaster situations. They've also been trying to understand why it's tough to turn our good intentio...

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Nov 09 2024HEALTH

South Africa's COVID-19 Response: A Lesson in Legislative Limits

Imagine having a roadmap to deal with disasters, like having a DRM legislation in place, but then a real disaster like COVID-19 hits and you find out your map has a few missing roads. That's where South Africa's experience during the pandemic can teach us a lot. Since 2002, the country has been praised for its progressive disaster risk management (DRM) legislation. I...

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Oct 10 2024WEATHER

Hurricane Milton: What You Need to Know as It Heads to Florida

Hurricane Milton is a powerful storm heading towards Florida's west coast, expected to hit on Wednesday night. The hurricane has been fluctuating between Category 4 and 5, but the main concern is its strength and the storm surge, flooding, and high winds it will bring. Make sure you're prepared by checking these resources. Many coastal communities have already start...

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Oct 09 2024WEATHER

The Waffle House Storm Check

You might think that a 24/7 breakfast chain like Waffle House wouldn’t have much to do with serious storm tracking. But think again! In the South, when a big storm hits, the status of your local Waffle House can tell you a lot. If it’s open, even with a limited menu, it’s a good sign the storm isn’t too bad. But if it’s closed, that’s when you know it’s time to worry...

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Oct 03 2024ENVIRONMENT

A Storm Reveals Taiwan's Weaknesses

Imagine this: a storm hits Taiwan, and it’s not just any storm. It pours heavy rain, brings strong winds, and causes massive flooding. People are left wondering if their region will ever recover. This storm was special; it showed the cracks in Taiwan’s flood defenses. The drainage systems got overwhelmed, causing homes and businesses to get damaged by water. Resident...

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