How to respond to disasters is an ever more pressing problem for much of Asia. Taking action before ruination falls is an increasingly popular tactic https://t.co/R03XuVc3Hm ...

And now, exclusive reporting from the Washington Post that reveals that in those critical moments after those flash floods ripped through Texas Hill Country, FEMA's acting administrator, David Richardson, could not be reached for 24 hours. That meant that under new rules put in place by the Trump administration, key resource deployments could not be approved. Search and rescue teams that are typically on the ground within 12 to 24 hours of a disaster didn't show up for 4 days.When asked about by the Post ab ...

Weather & Disaster Response - Intense storms in recent years have prompted the Hong Kong government and businesses to enhance their responses to rain and flooding [1] - These upgrade efforts are proving effective [1]

FEMA's Role and Reform - Congress passed the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, giving FEMA specific missions and requiring the FEMA administrator to have experience in emergency management [1][2] - The key is to respond faster and not wait until the full extent of the damage is known [3] - FEMA is meant to coordinate assistance on behalf of the president [2] - There's a need to reform the reimbursement processes, which are currently too complex and time-consuming [7] - Reforming the way FEMA does business is crucial, but ensuring FEMA has the resources to do its job is also important [8] Challenges and Concerns - There are concerns about the lack of a career emergency manager and a Senate-confirmed FEMA administrator during peak hurricane season [4] - Substantial staffing reductions and morale issues at FEMA are reminiscent of the situation before Hurricane Katrina [4] - There are concerns that the new version of FEMA, with funding and staffing cuts, may not be addressing past failures [5] - Bureaucratic red tape, such as the requirement for the secretary to sign off on anything over $100,000, hinders disaster response [6]

One day after a group of FEMA staffers warned the Trump administration is gutting disaster response programs, at least 21 of those staffers expressing those concerns have now been placed on leave. In an open letter, current and former FEMA employees had warned that recent budget cuts and restructuring at the agency could seriously undermine FEMA's ability to respond to hurricanes, flooding, and other extreme weather. Let's bring in NBC News senior investigative reporter Laura Strickler who's been following ...

Tsunami Impact and Response - A tsunami, initially measured at 30-40 centimeters (approximately one foot), impacted the Tohoku region, the same area devastated in 2011 [2] - Japan's meteorological agency reported the tsunami initially hit Hokkaido, affecting the northern region and the Pacific coast, with warnings issued for most of the Pacific coast, anticipating waves up to 3 meters in height [1] - As the tsunami progresses along Japan's Pacific coast towards Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, no significant damage or injuries have been reported [3] - If the tsunami remains under 50 centimeters, Japan is expected to avoid major damage, contrasting with the 2011 event that caused tens of billions of dollars in damage, significant loss of life, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster [4] Lessons Learned and Preparedness - Post-2011, nuclear power plants implemented changes, including suspending operations and constructing seawalls, addressing safety concerns related to above- and below-sea-level backup facilities [6] - Coastal areas, particularly in the Tohoku region, now feature signs indicating elevation above sea level (e g, 3 meters, 5 meters) to guide evacuation efforts [7] - Japan has implemented a warning system, utilizing TV broadcasts and fire brigades to alert residents and guide them to higher ground [9][10] Ongoing Risks and Aftershocks - Footage from Russia indicated structural damage due to the tsunami, highlighting the widespread impact of the event [11] - Due to the earthquake's magnitude, aftershocks are expected for several days, and tsunami warnings/advisories remain in place [12]

Policy Change - The report indicates a potential shift in disaster response cost-sharing, with states bearing a larger portion [1] - This change could disproportionately affect poorer states that are more vulnerable to disasters [1] Potential Impact - The policy shift may lead to suffering in hazard-prone and economically disadvantaged areas [1]

The Johnson, Texas, which was community le, state managed or state managed and federal supported brought the maximum amount of capability to bear in Texas at the right time and the right place. Through the secretary's leadership, to the president's leadership, to my own leadership, to Nim Kid's leadership, to region six, we made that happen. And that is a model of how response should be done.>> That's acting director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, David Richardson, testifying before Congress ye ...

President Trump traveled to the site of the Texas floods with two missions—to console, and to tout a new response to disasters where Washington takes a back seat to state and local responders. https://t.co/BH1lsVDYxW ...

Joining me now, Jeremy Edwards, former FEMA deputy director of public affairs. Jeremy, uh, DHS Secretary Christy Gnome denies there was any delay in providing resources. As someone who has been behind the scenes, who knows how things operate on the ground.What did you see in FEMA's response. Yeah, I think and and thank you for having me um on the show today. I think what I saw in FEMA's response is a break from a typical process that has previously allowed the agency to lean forward in events like this.And ...