Matthew Simon’s Post

If you haven't seen it yet, check out our unique disaster preparedness guide for caregivers. Centered around the specific needs of caregivers, this guide covers all the ins and outs of being prepared the best way possible for any natural disaster or community emergency.

Emergency responders gameplan for worst-case scenarios, but rarely see one like this roar to life. A Category 4 hurricane is bearing down on Florida, while resources are strained responding to another devastating hurricane in the same region. Hurricane Milton frightens authorities and experts because it strengthened so rapidly, threatens heavily populated areas, and is hitting so close to Hurricane Helene. Emergency managers in Florida have simulated the "black swan event" in which a Category 4 or 5 hurricane hits Tampa Bay, as Hurricane Milton is threatening to do this week, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) told Axios. "If a Category 5 storm comes into Tampa there are going to be resource challenges that we have probably not experienced before," says Moskowitz, who led the Florida Division of Emergency Management from 2019-2021. Assets and equipment along the East Coast have already been deployed for Hurricane Helene. "The resources will be available, but they will take longer to arrive. Everything is going to take longer," Moskowitz says. However, some resources already in place in Florida to respond to Helene will now be utilized for Milton, says Greg Eaton, a former FEMA Recovery Division Director. FEMA has pre-positioned swift-water rescue teams, debris experts and temporary power experts in Milton's path, says Eaton, now a professor of emergency management at Purdue Global. But just 9% of FEMA's workforce is available to respond to new disasters, according to the agency's daily operations brief. Helene made landfall in the sparsely populated Panhandle. But with Milton, "you potentially are going into major metropolitan areas across the state," former FEMA administrator Craig Fugate tells Axios. That's a very different challenge. Driving the news: Milton "explosively" intensified to Category 5 on Monday before weakening. Now a high-end Category 4, it is forecast to bring unprecedented storm surge to portions of Florida's Gulf Coast. A direct hit on Tampa from the west-southwest — which looks frighteningly possible — would push an 8-to-12-foot storm surge into the bay, the highest forecast on record for that area by the National Hurricane Center. FEMA said Monday it'll remain focused on the Helene recovery while pre-positioning resources ahead of Milton's projected midweek landfall. "It'll be challenging, but we'll make it work," FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told MSNBC. The agency will likely have to redirect some teams and resources from the Helene response to Florida, Fugate says. Local, state, and federal agencies prepare for scenarios involving back-to-back disasters, but "that doesn't make it any less challenging," says Tricia Wachtendorf, director of the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center. "When it happens to the same area immediately after the next one, especially for local and state agencies, that puts a huge burden on them. They're tired," she says.

Overnight Hurricane Beryl strengthened as it barreled across warm Caribbean waters with Jamaica in its sights, triggering warnings to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, the Caymans. Late Monday, Beryl reached Cat. 5, 165 mph winds/higher gusts~the earliest Cat. 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin, 2nd in July. This morning, Tuesday, Beryl was 300 miles SE of Isla Beata, DR, moving west-NW-22 mph. Beryl, forecasted to lose intensity, still a major storm Wednesday near Jamaica; Thursday, the Caymans; Friday, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, per the National Hurricane Center~NHC. “Beryl is expected to still be near major hurricane intensity as it moves into central Caribbean and passes near Jamaica on Wednesday.” Damage Across the Lesser Antilles (the arc of outer Caribbean islands) Beryl made landfall on Carriacou in Grenada Monday as major Cat. 4 storm/150 mph winds. 1 death, destroying entire communities in the Grenadines/St. Vincent. Hardest hit were Petit Martinique in Grenada, and 5 of 32 Grenadines islands: Union Island, Bequia, Canouan, Palm Island, Meru. Both Grenada, St. Vincent, the Grenadines affected ~200,000 people. 40 Grenada shelters opened; 69 in St Vincent and the Grenadines per Int'l Federation of the Red Cross. Greatest damage was northside of the island. . Sandals Grenada reported minimal damage. . Sandals St. Vincent & the Grenadines reported a few landscaping/beach issues, nothing structural. . Coastal streets were flooded . Barbados no reports of major infrastructural damage. . St. Lucia received All Clear by NEMO at 5am, 10a airports opened MORE INFO ON LESSER ANTILLES RELIEF EFFORTS: visit Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s site, cdema.org. MORE INFO STORM TRACKING: visit National Hurricane Center, nhc.noaa.gov. - ongoing updates July 2: Statement from the Grenada Tourism Authority— 'The island of Grenada thankfully largely escaped the effects of Hurricane Beryl. Air and hotels are fully operational! Sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique had wide-spread damage and fatalities. Emergency services, support, and relief efforts are working to restore vital services. Wild Side is focused on the movement of Beryl and wreckage left behind. Did you get caught in a Hurricane? Tell us about it, share your Hurricane 101 certification." What Hurricane, where you were and when? My Hurricane 101 Certification: Hurricane Wilma, Cancun/Riviera Maya 2005 (resort to multiplex theater w/progressive theater to theater destruction to wet underground parking w/demolished elevator to upper floor store for food/store scraps, wade to Bull Ring with any collectables, to resort) * Let's hear your Hurricane 101 Certification stories? Include your email, we'll contact you & send your Hurricane 101 Certificate! Pamela PJ Ott, President, Wedding Elite MBA Wild Side Destinations & Destination Weddings.Travel https://lnkd.in/dF_NBw3B https://lnkd.in/gMUY4mn8

#CaveatLector #CaveatSpectator As we saw with the rumors from previous disasters, there are many factors that coalesce to create the toxic mix of misinformation. What is clear is that all organizations should have clear communication plans, and rehearse and anticipate likely rumors. These rumors follow similar patterns, and can be mitigated. Too often, government and NGOs focus on the immediate and forget the cognitive, which can also hamper relief and recovery efforts.

🌪 Preparing for Hurricane Raphael: Essential Steps for Municipalities, Archdioceses, and Public/Not-for-Profit Entities 🌪 As Hurricane Raphael approaches, municipalities, archdioceses, and public/not-for-profit entities face unique challenges in safeguarding communities, preserving resources, and ensuring operational continuity. At the Sulzer Group, we specialize in helping organizations like yours navigate each phase of disaster management—from preparation to long-term recovery and mitigation. Steps to Take Now: Prioritize Critical Assets & Records: Secure important documents—such as insurance policies, historical records, compliance files, and financial data—in safe, accessible locations or cloud-based systems. Enhance Your Emergency Plans: Ensure staff is briefed on updated response protocols, evacuation routes, and shelter-in-place procedures, and test communication systems across departments. Reinforce Infrastructure & Facilities: Conduct a pre-storm assessment to protect key sites, including schools, hospitals, places of worship, and administrative buildings. Review power systems, water control, and accessibility of essential supplies. Coordinate with Key Stakeholders: Establish clear communication with your community members, board members, service providers, and response teams to align on procedures and updates throughout the storm’s impact. The Sulzer Group has extensive experience supporting municipalities, archdioceses, and public entities through complex disaster recovery processes. From grant administration and FEMA compliance to infrastructure assessment and project management, we offer tailored support to help you meet both immediate and long-term recovery needs. Our team’s deep understanding of these unique organizational requirements ensures an effective, compliant, and resilient recovery strategy. 📞 Contact us today to discuss proactive steps to protect your organization and the communities you serve. With the Sulzer Group, you’re partnering with a team that prioritizes your mission, your people, and your recovery. #HurricaneRaphael #CommunityPreparedness #PublicSectorSupport #ArchdioceseSafety #DisasterRecovery #TheSulzerGroup #EmergencyManagement #Resilience

A Disaster Preparedness Guide for CenterPoint  Maybe CenterPoint needs a primer or how to be ready for a storm, a checklist of sorts, like the ones everyone gives us regular folks once a year. https://lnkd.in/gPr-3jwf

𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧: 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 $𝟗.𝟓 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a $9.5 million emergency funding package for SeaPort Manatee, aiming to accelerate the port’s recovery in the wake of Hurricane Milton. SeaPort Manatee, located at the entrance of Tampa Bay, is the primary deep-water seaport in Southwest Florida. It suffered extensive damage from the hurricane, with initial assessments indicating potential losses of $225 million. The destruction included 10 out of 13 on-site warehouses, three of the ten port-owned docking facilities, and widespread damage to port offices. “This action to get SeaPort Manatee back to full operations will benefit the people of Florida, ensure the hardening of our infrastructure for future disasters, and ensure normal life is resumed for Floridians as soon as possible,” said Governor DeSantis. The emergency state funding of $9.5 million will be strategically allocated to address critical areas of recovery and fortification. The largest portion, $5.5 million, is earmarked for emergency berth repairs and dredging in state waters, ensuring the port’s ability to accommodate ships. An additional $3.5 million will be directed towards immediate security needs and access control, safeguarding the port’s operations. The remaining $500,000 will support planning activities aimed at fortifying port infrastructure, enhancing its resilience against future disasters. In addition to financial support, Governor DeSantis has mobilized multiple state agencies to expedite the recovery process. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will provide expert personnel, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will fast-track permits for rebuilding, and the Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) will assist with the FEMA award process. The Florida National Guard will also contribute to reestablishing security measures. “With the major impact that seaports have on our state’s economy and the quality of life for our residents, it’s critical that we ensure our seaports are open and fully operational, particularly SeaPort Manatee given the significant damage they sustained following Hurricane Milton,” said FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. Florida receives most of its fuel via ship from U.S. Gulf Coast refineries. The importance of SeaPort Manatee to Florida’s economy cannot be overstated. As the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal, it plays a crucial role in the state’s logistics network. More than 40% of the state’s petroleum products typically arrive through Port Tampa Bay and SeaPort Manatee. In addition to fuel, the SeaPort Manatee handles fruits and vegetables, appliances, construction materials, and wood for distribution across Southwest Florida and the Southeast.

🌟 **Florida's Triumph Over Nature's Fury** 🌟 Florida, the Sunshine State, has once again showcased its resilience and preparedness in the face of nature's might. As Hurricane Milton, a formidable storm, barreled through the Gulf of Mexico with its sights set on Florida's west coast, the state's response was nothing short of exemplary. Here's why this hurricane's tale isn't just of natural fury, but of human ingenuity and readiness: - **Preemptive Action:** From the early stages, Florida's leadership under Governor DeSantis mobilized resources, ensuring that evacuation plans were in place, especially for the most vulnerable — the elderly, disabled, and hospital patients. The deployment of over 600 ambulances for medical evacuations is a testament to this proactive approach. - **Infrastructure Resilience:** Thanks to investments in infrastructure and disaster response, Florida managed to restore power to 99% of those affected by Hurricane Helene in record time. This rapid recovery showcases not just the physical infrastructure's resilience but also the organizational prowess in disaster management. - **Community Spirit:** The spirit of Floridians was palpable, with communities coming together, from clearing debris to setting up shelters with necessary medical equipment. The state's quick inspection and clearance of over 1,400 bridges post-Hurricane Helene is a nod to their commitment to safety and recovery. - **Governmental Coordination:** The seamless coordination between state agencies, FEMA, and other federal resources meant that aid, from immediate disaster relief to long-term recovery funds, flowed efficiently. President Biden's proactive declaration of a state of emergency before Milton's landfall further streamlined federal support. - **Learning from the Past:** Florida's history with hurricanes like Helene and now Milton has led to a culture of preparedness. This isn't just about reacting to disasters but about building a state that can mitigate and bounce back from such events with minimal disruption. While Milton brought its challenges with torrential rains and winds, what stood out was Florida's ability to mitigate what could have been a catastrophic outcome. This story isn't just about weathering a storm but about facing it head-on with a strategy, community spirit, and unwavering resolve. Florida, you've not just averted a worse crisis; you've set an example for hurricane response and recovery. Here's to your spirit, strength, and the sunshine that always follows the storm. 🌞 #HurricaneMilton #FloridaStrong

In preparation for hurricane season, Mike Buresh and I collaborated on this to ensure you and your business are ready. Ensuring business continuity during extreme weather events is critical. Understanding how to predict the hurricane path and knowing when to act can make a significant difference. Don’t wait until the last minute—prepare now to safeguard your operations and protect your employees. Stay safe and proactive! #HurricanePreparedness #SmallBusiness #DataProtection #DisasterRecovery #NetTechConsultants