Mobile,AL - On April,24th, 2010 Yazoo City, MS was hit by torrential storms, and tornadoes. The storm took the lives of ten Mississippi residents, and injured numerous residents, including four who required airlifts to Mississippi University Medical center. With the amount of media attention the storm has received, What isn't clear is how we could of aided before the storm hit. Southern Alabama Rescue's Executive director, John Stanhope speaks out about the impending tornado season, and plan of action.
The following months will be a test of time as the storm season is undertaken by the southern united states. From April to July of every year the threat of natural disaster is a true fear and otherwise unpredictable phase in weather for many areas of the Southeast. There is obviously no way to prevent a severe storm from making contact, but preparedness can be stepped up far beyond the current standard. An advent in technology from SAR is possibly the most cost effective and easiest to implement tool in preparation and safety available.
The task of estimating for statistical and tactical evacuations has long been a call of local government and emergency management agencies. “The feasibility of large scale evacuation in a generally affected area has always been too difficult to gauge on a scale of necessity,” says Stanhope. The new programs put forth by SAR seeks a more focal approach to extrication of a locale's residents. The pilot software called SAR-TEK is able to plot danger zones down to a neighborhood block making it possible to evacuate only residents most in harm's way.
By using a combination of satellite data in real time, meteorological information from input and satellite sources, and topographical, thermal, and structural maps, SAR-TEK builds hot spots. A native plugin for the software uses storm data and projected path informatics to coordinate with the primary software to create a video play through model identifying problem areas.
A startling statistic review of recent natural disasters has shown over 220,000 casualties this year alone, making 2010 the deadliest year by far in a decade. Fellow non-profit organization Oxfam International, has projected that the amount of people affected affected by a critical climate event will rise 50% by 2015 and will reach more than 375 million cases. “We are not be able to stop this from happening, but we should have an effective plan in place for preparation and management of when it does.” Stated Stanhope. By current data, it is suggested that use of SAR-TEK will save over 200 lives this year alone in the southern united states.
But there is a downfall with the system, computing power. The SAR-TEK software takes large amounts of operational memory and server space, which is lacking at Southern Alabama Rescue. The organization has requested an all call for donations, not only financial but has implemented a computer recycling campaign, in order to raise money for a new operating server and computing power. “I urge you, If you have an old but still functional computer, donate it to SAR who can recycle it for a great cause.” Following the severe weather on April 24th SAR has also posted a listing of direct needs to prepare for future storms.
