NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #20/NN_1992_20.iso/spool/misc/emergse/3673

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Here's the latest from DISASTER RESEARCH  September 9, 1992

                DISASTER RESEARCH 99
                 TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1)  Latest Network Problems
2)  Researcher in U.K. Seeks Information on Nicaragua Tsunami
3)  Researcher in Australia Seeks Information on
    Storm Surge and Building Collapse
4)  Another Researcher in Australia Seeks Information on
    Adjustments to Floods in Non-English Speaking Countries
5)  The Need for a Response Network
6)  Hazards Center Offers Quick Response Funds
7)  Speaking of Quick Response . . . Hurricane Andrew Research
8)  World IDNDR Day Coming Up

                        ************
Dear Readers,
As you peruse through the messages and information requests below, please
remember that the success of Disaster Research depends in large part on its
knowledgeable clientele responding to one another and providing the
information that others seek. We hope you will be able to help some of these
people.

                         ************

1)----------
                  Latest Network Problems

As you are no doubt aware, a series of goof-ups recently led to another
network meltdown and the inundation of all DR recipients with multiple
messages (your editor arrived last Monday morning to find some 70 notes piled
in his electronic mail box).

The problem was traced to a machine in Germany that was sending the same
message over and over to the entire DR mailing list - i.e., there was a
*double* mistake: 1) the computer was screwing up (by sending the same message
over and over), and 2) the original message had been sent to the list of DR
recipients (PLEASE DON'T DO THAT), instead of to [e-mail]
(please *DO* send messages to this address).

Your editor has been wrangling with the computer services people here at the
University of Colorado to install some kind of protection to prevent just this
sort of thing from happening, and those people now seem to be convinced that
such safeguards are necessary. Anyway, we're working on it, and hopefully we
can avoid these snafus in the future.

Thank you all for your patience. And again, please don't hesitate to send
messages to [e-mail]. Thanks, Ed.

2)----------
      Researcher in U.K. Seeks Information on Nicaragua Tsunami

[Received the following from  [e-mail]  "Shaozhong Shi"
Subj:  Nicaragua Tsunami on Tuesday]

I heard the news that there was a disastrous tsunami (tidal wave) . . .
on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua on Tuesday. I am researching into
a coastal flooding event that occurred in the North Sea about 7,000 years
ago. We believe that the flooding was caused by a tsunami. Therefore, we are
very interested in obtaining detailed account of the Nicaragua tsunami and
possibly some sediment that has been deposited by it. Obtaining vital
information is very important to understanding this catastrophic phenomenon.

I will be very grateful if you could give me some clues about the ways to get
in touch with someone and to get some detailed information.

I am looking forwards to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,
Shaozhong Shi

[The Hazards Center has already sent some suggestions, but we're sure
additional leads will be greatly appreciated.]

3)----------
            Researcher in Australia Seeks Information on
                 Storm Surge and Building Collapse

[Received the following from  [e-mail]  Att: Dingle Smith]

       Tropical Storm Surge - Information on Building Collapse

The Centre for Resource & Environmental Studies at the Australian National
University has been researching all aspects of flood damage for many years.
Much of the hard data is from ANUFLOOD, a computer package that assesses
damage and mitigation options. This program is widely used commercially in
Australia and one of the inputs is a building by building data base. This has
been combined with flow velocity and depth data to assess the flood conditions
under which different types of buildings (wooden, brick, 1-story, 2-story
etc) would be in danger of collapse. The program has been employed in studies
of extreme floods and potential dam failure.

Funding has just been received from the Australian National Committee for the
IDNDR to extend ANUFLOOD for similar studies of tropical cyclone storm surge.
The pilot location will be Mackay in central Queensland, which experienced a
major surge in 1918.

This request is for information on the effects of wave height/energy on
buildings of different types - either references or comments. This would be
incorporated into the program, as with ANUFLOOD, to estimate likely damages
and to assist with emergency procedures. If anybody wants further information
on flood studies at CRES I would be pleased to assist.

American readers may like to know that the IDNDR Committee considered the
application as Hurricane Andrew was approaching Miami - an event which
received much media cover down-under. Thanks for this help with the
application!

Replies to Dingle SMITH, CRES, ANU, GPO Box 4, Canberra 2601, AUSTRALIA, or
fax [phone] or e-mail [e-mail]

4)----------
            Another Researcher in Australia Seeks Information on
            Adjustments to Floods in Non-English Speaking Countries

[Received the following from  [e-mail]]

I am preparing a paper on flooding for an international hazards education
group, which is affiliated with the IGU. My emphasis is on how people live
and cope with floods, rather than on flood hydrology.

I have no shortage of material from the US, Britain and Australia. But am
hunting for articles on flooding in non-english speaking countries. I would
be grateful for references or for advice on where to obtain material on
flooding in the non-english speaking world. The references can be in any
language.

Cheers
John Handmer
[e-mail]

5)----------
                  The Need for a Response Network

Immediately after Hurricane Andrew swept across Florida and Louisiana, we
received several messages from concerned readers wanting to know if there was
a network available that they could monitor to determine 1) what was happening
and/or 2) what they could do to help (several individuals were willing and
able to go to the disaster site(s) to provide emergency medical or relief
services).

In addition, as you all well know, we've received several messages asking the
same sorts of questions about the situation in Somalia.

We offer below some of these messages as discussion items (in some cases with
names and addresses omitted to protect anonymity).

                            ----------
From:   Anonymous
Subj:   Andrew Disaster Response

Are you aware of any networks involved with disaster response that we could
monitor. Our emergency response team here is interested in following this
disaster? . . . [A]re you aware of any requests via e-mail networks
for disaster response teams (i.e. search rescue, USAR, etc.) or equipment? I
was curious as that seems like it would be a natural extension of this
technology.
----------
----------
[The note that created the latest brouhaha . . .]

Subj:   Organizing for Somalia

Is there a discussion going on anywhere on the nets among people working
in disaster relief about efforts to aid Somalia?  (I don't mean to
denigrate the seriousness of the situations in "Yugoslavia" and Florida,
but Somalia is in far worse shape.)

I realize that many or most of the people on this list are academics,
but it is the personal responsibility of each of us to get involved in
such a dire situation by organizing, raising money, writing advocacy
letters -- or by using our academic or professional expertise to assist
efforts to do those things.

If there is a discussion going on the nets, please send me a pointer to
it.  If not, this would be as appropriate a place as any to start one.
I'd be pleased to do what I can to share ideas, and I hope everyone else
on the list will agree to do so also.

Seth Grimes, [e-mail]
----------
----------
Subj:   RE:  Organizing for Somalia

Yes.  Seth.  Lists where I have seen references to Somalia are:

   Activ-l
   Africa-l
   soc.culture.african.american (UseNet NewsGroup)
----------
----------
From:   IN%"[e-mail]"
Subj:   RE: Organizing for Somalia

Please share with us on Africa-l about what can be done by us concerning
the serious situation in Somalia.

--- Chelagoi
----------
----------
From:   Anonymous

What did you find out in the question of organizing for somalia.  What is
ACTUALLY going on down there?  The newspaper says there is one religion,
basically one ethnicity of peoples, so why is the fighting so damn bitter?
Im wondering if some other nation might be backing one of these clan factions.
Some powerful nation...
----------
----------
From:   IN%"[e-mail]"
Subj:   RE: Organizing for Somalia

Hi, Seth.
I received a mailing from hazards-list about your interest in starting a
discussion on Somalia. I am interested in disaster response and mitigation
in general and am wondering if we should not start a newsgroup (besides
clari.news.disaster) to address issues in disaster mitigation. I am actually
trying to start a company (non-profit) that looks for solutions to natural
and man-made disasters. Maybe you are interested in this area as well?

Hope to hear from you ...

Douglas Ling
Fire Station EARTH
----------
----------
From:   Anonymous

I'm brand new on this net.  All I've seen so far is a couple of
the bulletins.  I will confess to being a bit annoyed.  I'm a
ski patroller (which means I'm current in A DOT-approved EMT-
equivalent first aid program).  I was willing to go to Flordia
at my own expense, and I couldn't get any information on whom
to contact, etc.

[Follow up to the above message:]

My annoyance is with the local and regional organizations that all
of the PBS radio announcements told volunteers to contact. Nobody
in the relief organizations or agencies had any idea who to get in
touch with in Florida.  Point being only that I share the frustration
of someone who wants to help in Somalia and can appreciate how much
greater must be the difficulties making useful contacts, etc.
                           ----------

Clearly, there are some organizations (such as the American and International
Red Cross) that a person should be able to contact to determine what
contributions are needed or can be made. But at the same time, there also
appears to be a real need and opportunity for an organized computer
network/list for discussing and disseminating information about current
disasters, relief efforts and needs.

To a very limited extent, Disaster Research has fulfilled this function in the
past, although providing situation reports and\or a means for responders to
communicate was *not* the original intent of DR. UNIENET, of course, is
designed to offer much of this information; however accessibility to the U.N.
network has been a problem (UNIENET is not currently available on the
Internet).

Any ideas?????

6)----------
                  Hazards Center Offers Quick Response Funds

On October 1, 1992, the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information
Center expects to have funds available to support its "Quick Response
Research" Program for Fiscal Year 1993. The Quick Response Program provides
small grants (averaging between $1000 and $3000), enabling researchers to
conduct short-term field investigations of disasters immediately after impact
in order to collect data that might otherwise be lost.

Researchers interested in the program are invited to submit short proposals to
the center describing their research project, proposed methodology,
anticipated results, and estimated budget. These proposals will be reviewed,
and, if approved, kept on file for the next 12 months. Should an appropriate
disaster occur, and a pre-approved researcher desire to enter the field,
she/he can contact the center to activate the project. If funds are still
available, the center will authorize the project.

Researchers who would like more information on the Quick Response Program
should contact
                Mary Fran Myers, Project Manager
                Natural Hazards Center
                Campus Box 482
                University of Colorado
                Boulder, CO 80309-0482
                303-492-2150; FAX: [phone]
                e-mail: [e-mail]

7)----------
                        Speaking of Quick Response . . .
                         Hurricane Andrew Research

The Natural Hazards Information Center is sponsoring the following quick
response research into the effects of Hurricane Andrew. Details are available
from the principle investigators listed below.

--    Assess Damage to Engineered Structures Caused by Hurricane Andrew
      Contact:    Chris Rojahn
                  Applied Technology Council
                  555 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 550
                  Redwood City, CA 94065
                  415-595-1542
                  FAX:  [phone]

--    Evaluate the Organizational Structures Established by FEMA and the Red
      Cross to Respond to Hurricane Andrew
      Contact:    Jack Harrald
                  Department of Engineering Management
                  The George Washington University
                  Washington, DC 20052
                  202-994-7153
                  FAX: [phone]
                        &
                  Kathleen Carley
                  Department of Social and Decision Sciences
                  Carnegie Mellon University
                  Pittsburgh, PA 15213
                  412-268-3225

--    Evaluate the Impact of Planned Disaster Response on Minority
      Populations - Particularly the Elderly in the Wake of Hurricane Andrew
      Contact:    Brenda Phillips
                  Department of Sociology and Social Work
                  Texas Woman's University
                  P.O. Box 23928
                  Denton, TX  76204
                  817-898-2117

--    Study the Role of Mapping in Emergency Response Activities for Hurricane
      Andrew
      Contact:    Ute Dymon
                  Department of Geography
                  Kent State University
                  P.O. Box 5190
                  Kent, OH 44242-0001
                  216-672-2045

--    Study the Care-Giving and Care-Receiving by the Aged in the Tent Cities
      near Miami in the Wake of Hurricane Andrew
      Contact:    Elizabeth Guillette
                  Department of Anthropology
                  University of Florida
                  1350 Turlington Hall
                  Gainesville, FL 32611
                  904-392-2130
                  FAX: [phone]


We are also aware of the following research being conducted by other
individuals and research centers:

--    Assess the Magnitudes of Wind Conditions, Assess the Performance of
      Various Structures, and Determine Adequacy of Codes and
      Construction Practices
      Contact:   Dale Perry
                 Texas A&M University
                 College of Architecture
                 College Station, TX 77843
                 [phone]

A disaster investigation team organized by the Wind Engineering Research
Council (WERC) arrived in Miami on the evening of August 27, 1992. Their
preliminary findings include: roof connection provisions in the South Florida
Building Code did reduce the number of structures with total loss of entire
roofing systems and enhanced structural performance; however the codes do not
adequately treat roof coverings. Mobile homes are unsafe in strong winds even
if they are on strong foundations or tied down. Power outages were extensive
and both wood, and concrete power poles failed in areas experiencing the
strongest winds. The winds encountered were such that building and structures,
even conventional housing, could have been constructed to survive with minimal
damage. A final report will be issued by WERC upon completion of
investigation.

--    Medical Examiner Report of Deaths Associated with Hurricane Andrew
      Contact:    Eric Noji, M.D., M.P.H., Chief
                  Disaster Epidemiology Section
                  Division of Environmental Hazards
                  National Center for Environmental Health
                  Centers for Disease Control
                  Mailstop F46
                  4770 Buford Highway, NW
                  Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
                  404-488-7350
                  FAX: [phone]
As of September 1, 1992, only the Dade County Medical Examiners (ME) office
had reported deaths attributable to Hurricane Andrew to the CDC. Thirty-two
(32) deaths were associated with the storm, 14 directly and 18 indirectly. In
addition, one person on a boat was missing and presumed dead. In Florida, most
deaths directly attributed to the hurricane resulted from blunt trauma or
asphyxia. In the past, hurricane-associated mortality has typically included
high numbers of drownings. In addition to the mortality surveillance, the
state of Florida with the assistance of CDC, is conducting a rapid damage
assessment survey to determine the extent of injuries and loss of utilities
and health services that resulted from Hurricane Andrew.

--    Evaluate the Disaster Evacuation Behavior Among Tourists in Miami
      Contact:    Tom Drabek
                  Department of Sociology
                  University of Denver
                  Denver, CO 80208-0209
                  303-871-2050
Drabek has a three year NSF grant to assess the disaster evacuation behavior
of transient populations, including tourists, and will use Hurricane Andrew as
one of his case studies.

--    Organizational Response
      Contact:    Disaster Research Center
                  University of Delaware
                  Newark, DE 19716
                  302-831-6618
The Disaster Research Center routinely sends teams to major events. We
understand DRC has sent two teams to Hurricane Andrew, and are awaiting
information on the exact focus of the research.

--    NOAA/NWS Survey Teams
      Contact:    Don Wernly
                  NOAA/National Weather Service
                  1325 East-West Highway
                  Silver Spring, MD 20910
                  301-713-0090
                  FAX:  [phone]
NOAA has deployed two teams: one to Florida and one to Louisiana. These teams
typically evaluate National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center
performance with respect to a given disaster.

--    Assess the Impact of Hurricane Andrew on Lifelines: Power, Water, and
      Telephones
      Contact:    Charles Scawthorn
                  EQE Engineering
                  595 Market Street, 18th Floor
                  San Francisco, CA 94105
                  415-989-2000

Additionally, the Coordinator of Research related to Hurricane Andrew at the
University of Miami, School of Medicine is:
                  Bob Tomchik, M.D.
                  Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
                  University of Miami, School of Medicine
                  Miami, FL  33101
                  P.O. Box 016069 (R-669)
                  [phone]

8)----------
* * * October 14 * * *
                         World IDNDR Day Coming Up

The world will observe the second Wednesday in October as the "International
Day for Natural Disaster Reduction" - an occasion to review what has been
achieved to date to reduce disaster impacts and to re-examine the goals and
objectives of the International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR).
In keeping with recent historical trends and this year's landmark UNCED
conference in Rio, the theme for the 1992 IDNDR Day is "Natural Disaster
Reduction for Sustainable Development."

To learn what national committees have done in the past to observe this day,
to obtain additional ideas about what can be done this year and in the future,
and to gain further support, contact Ms. Maris Kohn, Expert for National
Committees, IDNDR Secretariat, United Nations, Palais des Nations, CH-1211,
Geneva 10, Switzerland.

----------
DISASTER RESEARCH is a moderated bulletin for creators and users of hazards
research information. Queries, conversations, and contributions are
encouraged. Items received will be posted unless otherwise indicated. Send
messages to:

        David Butler
        Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center
        Institute of Behavioral Science #6
        Campus Box 482
        University of Colorado
        Boulder, Colorado  80309-0482
        USA

        Telephone: [phone]
        Fax: [phone]

        [e-mail]
        (Do **NOT** send messages to: [e-mail])

Subscriptions, cancellations, and other distribution requests can be directed
to the above addresses; however, BITNET/Internet subscriptions and orders for
back issues can also be handled directly by Mailserv software at the
University of Colorado. Commands should be sent to:

        [e-mail]
        (Do **NOT** send messages to: [e-mail])

Any of the following commands can be sent: HELP (returns a help file), INDEX,
LISTS (of services on this mailserver), SEND (see examples below), SEND/LIST,
SUBSCRIBE, or UNSUBSCRIBE. Commands should be in the body of an e-mail
message, not on the "subject" or "RE:" line. For back issues of Disaster
Research, send one of the following commands to the MAILSERV address above:

     SEND [HAZARDS]INDEX.LIS     for a list of available DR issues
     SEND [HAZARDS]DR##.TXT      for a specific back issue - substitute the
                                  number of the issue you want (01 - 94) for
                                  the ## in the command

In the U.S., Disaster Research is available via modem on the State and Local
Emergency Management Data Users Group (SALEMDUG) bulletin board system - (202)
646-2887; in Canada, on the Emergency Preparedness Information Exchange (EPIX)
system - [phone] or FIDO 1:153/162. In Australia, it is available on
the Australian Disaster Management Information Exchange (ADMIX) - (054)
262-594 or FIDO 3:632/387, and the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network
(WICEN) - 03-802-0913 or FIDO 3:632/404. All systems operate at 2400 baud, no
parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit (some systems are accessible at higher
speeds).

A bimonthly printed newsletter, the Natural Hazards Observer, is available
from the Natural Hazards Center at the above address. It is free to
subscribers within the U.S. Overseas subscriptions are $15.00.
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