The ways in which law and policy affect all aspects of weather, from warning systems to disaster relief, are made evident in the recent disaster of Hurricane Katrina. While forecasting systems effectively notified us of the coming storm and its intensity, the federal, state, and local laws and regulations did not serve their purposes in providing resources, protection, and relief for all those affected. This book looks at forecasting systems (both their development and current regulation), disaster relief laws and agencies such as FEMA and their role in mitigating the results of weather disasters, and the laws affecting the aftermath of a weather disaster, including the insurance coverage for victims of looting as well as other liability issues. Other types of natural disasters are also covered: drought-related issues such as fires; rain- and hurricane-related issues such as flooding and mudslides; blizzard-related issues such as cold weather utility regulations; and wind damage.

Disasters often strike without warning and leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Yet armed with the right tools and information, survivors can fend for themselves and get through even the toughest circumstances. Matthew Stein's When Disaster Strikes provides a thorough, practical guide for how to prepare for and react in many of life's most unpredictable scenarios. In this disaster-preparedness manual, he outlines the materials you'll need-from food and water, to shelter and energy, to first-aid and survival skills-to help you safely live through the worst. When Disaster Strikes covers how to find and store food, water, and clothing, as well as the basics of installing back-up power and lights. You'll learn how to gather and sterilize water, build a fire, treat injuries in an emergency, and use alternative medical sources when conventional ones are unavailable. Stein instructs you on the smartest responses to natural disasters-such as fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and floods-how to keep warm during winter storms, even how to protect yourself from attack or other dangerous situations. With this comprehensive guide in hand, you can be sure to respond quickly, correctly, and confidently when a crisis threatens.

Disasters happen! These are the stories of love and loss, death, and destruction. Many victims died in disasters. These are the stories of how survivors live and strike back. Survivors were trapped, but then set free when they were rescued! The question of life and death was asked when victims were stranded without food and water or left to die from their injuries. Some are man-made disasters, while others are natural disasters. The survivors of disasters include child abuse victims, domestic violence survivors, battered wives, war veterans, orphans, riots survivors, and victims of the terrorist attacks. These survivors live to tell the tale after seeing a natural disaster such as deadly storms.

No one can outrun Mother Nature, but science is trying to fight the worst of Earth’s natural disasters as they happen. Readers explore the science behind combating the worst weather on Earth, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and even earthquakes. Readers will discover what science is doing to help keep humanity safe—a ‘Winning or Losing?’ feature updates readers on the latest in man’s struggle with Mother Nature, while ‘Breaking Through’ chronicles the cutting edge science that gives our smartest scholars the tools necessary for victory.

Initial priorities for U.S. participation in the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, declared by the United Nations, are contained in this volume. It focuses on seven issues: hazard and risk assessment; awareness and education; mitigation; preparedness for emergency response; recovery and reconstruction; prediction and warning; learning from disasters; and U.S. participation internationally. The committee presents its philosophy of calls for broad public and private participation to reduce the toll of disasters.