Hurricane Harvey occurred in late August 2017 (Weather). It started as a tropical storm off the coast of Africa, and gradually built in size and intensity as it moved over the Gulf of Mexico (Weather). It eventually landed land on the southeastern coast of Texas (Weather). The reason why it caused so much damage was because it stalled there, sitting over Texas and dropping record-breaking amounts of rain and extreme winds (Weather). It was the first major hurricane to hit Texas since 1970 (Weather), so a lot of people were not used to this level of disaster. Although the death toll of Hurricane Harvey may not have been as steep as other disasters, it still affected 13 million people (World Vision). After the storm, unemployment was at a two-year high, schools were closed, and almost 135,000 homes were destroyed (World Vision). Most of the homeowners affected also had no insurance because their homes did not sit on a flood plain (World Vision), so they could not rebuild. The hurricane also holds the record for the second highest cost since 1900 (World Vision). One million cars were wrecked and eight million cubic yards of garbage was cleaned up (World Vision). One of the reasons for the widespread damage was because the storm affected such a large area, throughout Texas and along the Gulf coast (World Vision). The flooding even caused Houston to temporarily sink two centimeters (World Vision).

The first coverage of Hurricane Harvey was published by NASA, who tracked the storm starting on August 17 and provided updates through September 6. An article from NBC News written on August 28, 2017 reports four deaths and 17000 people seeking shelter, and claims the storm was moving back toward the coast. On September 1, 2017, CNN News published an article claiming that 30000 people were in shelters and the storm caused $75 billion worth of damage. Another article from the Texas Tribune reported that 24000 people were living in hotel rooms on January 1, 2018. On August 31, 2018, almost a year after the disaster, experts from NPR were beginning to realize the environmental impact of the storm: eight million pounds of extra air pollution was released. We now know that there was close to $130 billion in damage and 89 deaths. It seems as though information on tracking and predictions becomes more precise the closer the storm gets, but immediately after the storm the true data is lost in the chaos. It takes a little while for all the news outlets to get caught up on what really happened, and even longer for professionals to start learning from the problems they faced.

From news and weather reports to testimonies from those who experienced Hurricane Harvey firsthand there seems to be no shortage of problems that contributed to the devastating human and material impact the event caused. Early predictions suggested the areas that would be impacted by the greatest rainfall and heavier winds were larger areas located on or near the coast, including Houston. Several of the most significant problems that contributed to Harvey’s impact were on one hand the magnitude of the affected population as well as the magnitude of the storm’s threats itself, not only in terms of the heavy rainfall and winds, but also the subsequent dispersal of dangerous chemicals and waste. On the other hand, lack of an adequate flood management system in terms of both infrastructure and flood control policies, increased development and developers display of little regard for local and state regulations, as well as lack of preparation for potential hazardous events also contributed to the devastation.

According to a news report, specifically in regards to the impact of Hurricane Harvey on the Houston metro area, although the hurricane occurred in 2017, there had been red flags for decades especially in the development patterns of the city (Many Contributing Factors Have Made Harvey’s Devastation so Severe). Houston as a major metropolitan area is constantly in the wake of some form of development. However, for a region that has been known to be flood-prone, development has occurred without serious consideration of potential flood risks. “Developers have shown little tolerance for regulation, and state and local government have not fought hard to impose much. Federal rules aren’t up to the challenge, either. Many of the vulnerable areas in Houston are outside 100- and 500-year flood zones on FEMA’s maps, zones which recent events (even before Harvey) have shown to be almost certainly too small” (Many Contributing Factors Have Made Harvey’s Devastation so Severe). Such factors, coupled with the numerous other public health related threats exacerbated the impact of Hurricane Harvey both in terms of its human impact and its material impact.

In Dakin Adone’s article “Houston knew it was at risk of flooding, so why didn’t the city evacuate?” it is mentioned that no evacuation was ordered for Houston, even though it was suggested that it would be a good idea; the mayor decided not to due to the recognition that doing so would entail an immense level of coordination the city did not have and was not prepared to establish. The mayor posed that it was better for people to be sheltered in their houses, as ordering an evacuation and putting everyone on the highway would have caused a major calamity itself. However, many people who found themselves trapped inside their homes were unable to receive aid. One strategy that could be used to better prepare/protect communities in the wake of a potentially hazardous event such as Hurricane Harvey could be for there to be some initiative taken to organize a more efficient evacuation plan that would take place well in advance of a storm making landfall. The primary goal would be to develop an efficient means of removing or relocating people, especially those in the most vulnerable areas, out of red zones, those in which the impact is expected to be the greatest. A potential obstacle would be how to develop a sufficient network of coordination for such a large population. However, the issue may be less of there being a lack of capacity but more a lack of preparation. Houston is prone to flooding; that is a known fact. It is imperative for there to be some type of plan prepared in advance of potentially hazardous events.

One way we can prepare for hazards such as Hurricane Harvey, is when designing and constructing homes, we strategically place extra nails and bolts along with adding metal connections at the joints. As minuscule as this sounds, it can make all the difference when one of these hazards strikes. Another way we can prepare is by designing shelters for those within the community to move into if they can’t afford to leave.

Some may think that these extra pieces will cost a lot especially if the house is big, but really, it doesn’t increase the overall cost of the house by that much, and the labor is already being done, so adding in extra nails and bolts wouldn’t make a difference in the cost of labor. On the other hand, by taking these precautions, many insurance companies are willing to lower their rates, because there will be less damage to fix in the event of a natural hazard such as a hurricane. A few Habitat for Humanity houses in Panama City Beach are proof that these reinforcements work. Sure, these houses lost some shingles and experienced some water damage, but overall, they’re seemingly untouched by Hurricane Michael. Ultimately, it’s all about how we reinforce the connections at the joints of the structure. The shelter(s) may raise more questions. Some of those being: Where do we get the money to pay for the shelter(s)? Do we make one big one or various smaller ones? What do we do with these shelters in the meantime, when we’re not experiencing natural hazards? First, we can apply for grants, we can have fundraisers in the community, and we can ask for donations. Most people are usually willing to help, they just don’t know how, so we need to jumpstart them. I personally believe it’d be best to build various smaller shelters in case natural hazards hit harder in some areas than in others. This allows people to spread out, rather than piling people on top of each other in one building. It would also be in our best interest to construct these structures with the low-cost reinforcements discussed above. In the meantime, we use these shelters to hold events, possibly even fundraisers, to help put money back into the shelters. Also, to make it affordable, families can work to pay “rent” here. Those staying in the shelters can make up various hazard-relief teams. This helps those whose jobs are nonexistent through the hazard and takes away pressure from the government having to build and send in teams. It would also be smart to evaluate different income levels to determine who should get the opportunity to stay here first.

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/27/us/houston-evacuation-hurricane-harvey/index.html https://wtvr.com/2017/08/29/many-contributing-factors-have-made-harveys-devastation-so-severe/

Weather. “Major Hurricane Harvey.” National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2017, https://www.weather.gov/crp/hurricane_harvey.

World Vision. “2017 Hurricane Harvey: Facts, FAQs, and how to help.” World Vision Inc.,7 September 2018, https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/2017-hurricane-harvey-facts.

NASA. “Harvey (was TD 09 – Atlantic Ocean).” National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 13 September 2017, https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/harvey-atlantic-ocean.

Johnson and Siemaszko. “Harvey, Already a ‘Landmark Event,’ Threatens Round Two.” NBC News, 28 August 2017. https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/hurricane-harvey/harvey-already-landmark-event-still-going-strong-threatens-round-two-n796976.

Griggs, Brandon. “Harvey’s Devastating Impact by the Numbers.” CNN News, 1 September 2017,  https://www-m.cnn.com/2017/08/27/us/harvey-impact-by-the-numbers-trnd/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F.

Harmon, Dave. “Four Months after Hurricane Harvey, four major questions about recovery for 2018.” The Texas Tribune, 4 Jan 2018, https://www.texastribune.org/2018/01/04/four-months-after-hurricane-harvey-four-major-questions-about-recovery/.

Hersher, Rebecca. “Industry Looks for Hurricane Lessons as Climate Changes.” NPR, 31 August 2018, https://www.npr.org/2018/08/31/642641191/industry-looks-for-hurricane-lessons-as-climate-changes.

Problem 1

Planners are faced with an expansive problem along many coastal cities of the United States today, affecting everyone from homeowners to government officials: flooding. Among the noticeable impacts that climate change has had on the environment is higher water levels from melting icebergs and stronger storms. This deadly combination is forcing cities to rethink the way that buildings and transportation systems are designed. After Superstorm Sandy, New York City was out of power and its infrastructure was severely damaged. In the past ten years, significant changes have been made to building guidelines and flood walls surrounding the city. New Orleans is currently experiencing a similar problem due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and low elevation. Cities such as New Orleans and New York City could all learn from each other, borrowing ideas that have worked and retrofitting them to unique problems.

The Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan was created after water systems could not keep up with the influx of rain from hurricanes that repeatedly hit the area (GNO). According to GNO, the drainage systems in place in New Orleans are old and the technology fails to keep up with the amount of water that storms bring to the city. When the systems do pump water out, the dry soil shrinks like a sponge and the entire landmass lowers in a process called subsidence (GNO). In essence, shortly after each storm moves through the area the whole city of New Orleans sinks lower in the ground, making it more susceptible to the next storm. The data analysis group RAND Corporation accuses the Army Corps of Engineers of not accounting for future increases in water and the number of storms caused by climate change. They also claim that the City of New Orleans is not providing enough incentives for developers to change their building practices or for residents to move out of affected areas. Without financial aid, low income residents living in the most vulnerable areas of New Orleans do not have the means to escape rising water.

Columbia University’s State of the Planet blog analyzed what cities are doing in response to climate change. In New York City, broad changes have been made to include more land in flood zones, called Special Coastal Risk Districts (Cho). The city also created a group called NPCC, or New York City Panel on Climate Change, that documents past weather patterns and predicts future water levels. One of the proposed plans following Superstorm Sandy was the Big U, which is a waterfront park running along the southern tip of New York City that absorbs water and acts as a flood wall (Cho). Subways have also been utilized to take on extra water in order to prevent the flooding of streets and buildings (Cho). Some parts of the subway would remain open to serve the need of public transportation, so subway grates have been elevated a few foot above the sidewalk (Cho). New Orleans might not have the same topography of New York City, but the city may be able to adopt some similar measures to prevent total destruction in the event of another hurricane.

One planning style that might be helpful to address flooding in New Orleans would be the neutral public servant. The planner would have to collaborate between government, because federal and state funds would be used, and the residents living in New Orleans, because their lives are being directly affected. One solution to flooding that might appeal to both sides would be more parks along the coast to hold water, much like the Big U. Residents would have more green space to enjoy and the government would not have to build new buildings, just plant grass after old buildings are torn down. However, the planner would not be able to insert an opinion on the consensus, being completely neutral. Public meetings would need to be held to bring both sides of the issue together. It is sometimes difficult to motivate people to come to planning meetings, but I think with an issue that is so pressing and noticeable people are more likely to care and have a stake in the outcome. So many people are affected by flooding that more groups might have to be brought to the table by the planner as well, such as local businesses and commercial developers. Collaboration is key to come up with a feasible and affective solution to the problems caused by climate change.

Another planning style that might be very effective in ending the destruction caused by flooding might be brought up by a radical planner. The most effective solution would be to move the entire city to a higher elevation. This would ensure that hurricanes would not hurt any more people and daily business could go on. One method of beginning this transformation could be expanding flood zones along the coast, which would hinder new development there like it has in New York City. A more radical idea would be to build a subway system under New Orleans so that water would be safely rerouted safely. When the drainage system is not being used, it might also alleviate some congestion and provide support for the soft ground. It might seem crazy to install an underground transportation system at such a low elevation, but it is these types of ideas that a radical planner proposes. The planner would have to gather enough support to gain the attention of government, which may be difficult considering the plan is to uproot people from their homes. However, if the situation is dire enough, those residents may be willing to go to great lengths to protect their families. These plans would also be long term because land would have to be acquired or infrastructure would be completely overhauled. If the water level is going to rise as much as the prediction, no technology that is put in place in New Orleans may be enough to stop it.

Cho, Renee. “How New York City is Preparing for Climate Change.” State of the Planet, Earth Institute, Columbia University, 26 April 2019, https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2019/04/26/new-york-city-preparing-climate-change/.
GNO. “The Greater New Orleans Water Plan.” GNO Inc, 2018, https://gnoinc.org/initiatives/the-greater-new-orleans-water-plan/.
RAND. “Reducing Future Flood Damage in New Orleans Through Home Elevation and Land Use Changes.” RAND Corporation, 2019, https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9612/index1.html.

Problem 2

One prevalent problem that goes fairly overlooked is the homelessness in Birmingham, Alabama. Not only is it a prevalent problem, but it’s a growing one. There are some that believe that surrounding cities are “sending homeless to Birmingham.” There are a few public parks around the city, and different notable witnesses have reported seeing people, particularly homeless people, being dropped off at these parks. It’s also been noted that a large portion of the homeless population is “chronically homeless,” meaning they’ve been homeless for over a year or more than three times in the last three years. Some of this homeless population stays in shelters, emergency and transitional, but nearly half don’t have that opportunity.

The first style of planning that I believe would work to help solve this problem is advocacy planning. One event, Project Homeless Connect held at the Boutwell Auditorium, brings various agencies together to provide basic socioeconomic necessities (issuing photo identifications, preparing tax returns, providing medical exams, etc.) to the homeless has been implemented since April 2008. Since this, the homeless population has been decreasing. The Boutwell Auditorium, which is joined to the Birmingham Museum of Art, “opens as a warming station on nights when the temperature is forecast to drop below freezing.” It’s been talked about to expand the museum into the Boutwell Auditorium. I believe it’d be in the best interest of the city, if they really want to decrease the homeless population, or possibly fix the problem of homelessness in their city, would be to take the funding that has been or will be set aside for this expansion and to pour it into transforming the auditorium into a homeless shelter, or even a form of permanent residence. Some of it could be housing while other portions can be set aside to producing more events such as Project Homeless Connect more than once a year. The city can also reach out to the numerous agencies that come together and work out funding issues and find other organizations that are volunteer based. I imagine the biggest pushback of this will be the funding aspect along with the museum wanting to use the space. However, with the event and agencies tied to it, it wouldn’t be hard to implement these new ideas and strategies as they are just an extension of what’s already being done.

The second style of planning that I believe could be effective is the consensus builder style. This style could be used in a very similar manner to advocacy planning, only this way, we also work with the art museum to find a way to make this space cohesive between some form of housing and museum. The auditorium also “home to the Birmingham Power basketball team,” and it would be fairly easy to advocate the transformation of the space considering they were already planning on doing it anyway. We could incorporate an art exhibit that epitomizes the basketball team while also having a court that the residents could use in order to stay in shape, both mentally and physically. The difficulties of this plan are creating/arranging a space that’s cohesive between residence, an art museum, and a basketball team, and getting everyone on board. Nevertheless, having the different people from all of these areas will generate creative ideas.

– https://www.wbrc.com/story/35027039/mayor-says-other-cities-are-sending-homeless-to-birmingham/
– https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Homelessness_in_Birmingham
– https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Boutwell_Auditorium
– https://www.usich.gov/homelessness-statistics/al/

Team Plan “OH”

Morgan Mackey

Imani Watson

Zoe Rader