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Follow on Google News | The Aftermath of Louisiana: Improving Resilience to FloodingHear from the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the Global Disaster Relief Summit in Washington D.C.
By: Aid & International Development Forum Vice president of the American Red Cross, Brad Kieserman, said that: "The current flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy." In the worst affected areas roads remained flooded and closed, while schools, businesses and government offices have been not been open for days. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made disaster declaration in 20 of the state's 64 parishes. More than 86,500 people have already registered for assistance from the agency. Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards has pleaded for aid and volunteers to help the situation in Louisiana, stating that "we really need help." Organisations like the Mennonite Disaster Service (https://www.mds.mennonite.net/ The region now faces significant challenges: how to handle resulting disease, how to pay for the damage and crucially how to prevent it from happening again. In the midst of the devastating flooding in Louisiana, a new forecasting tool has been launched which could revolutionise flood management across the USA and ultimately save lives. The National Water Model, which uses a supercomputer and data from more than 8,000 U.S. Geological Survey gauges to simulate conditions for 2.7 million locations, will be able to generate hourly forecasts for the entire river network. Previously, forecasts were only available a few times a day for only 4,000 streamflow locations. Not only will forecasts be generated for more locations, but those forecasts will also include more water variables such as runoff and soil moisture, which can be used as better predictors for flooding and other environmental hazards. The National Water Model will therefore provide emergency managers, reservoir operators, first responders, farmers, barge operators, and ecosystem and floodplain managers and others with more accurate, detailed, frequent and expanded water information. Thus, improving resiliency to flooding as improved forecasting will facilitate improved planning and, consequently, protection of life and property. Global Disaster Relief Summit (http://disaster- Over 70 speakers, including Harvey Johnson, Senior Vice President, Disaster Cycle Services, American Red Cross and Elizabeth A. Zimmerman, Associate Administrator, Office of Response & Recovery (ORR), FEMA, will offer updates on emergency procurement strategy, innovations in data management and communication technology, best practice in humanitarian logistics and lessons learned from recent disasters. To ensure participation at this practice focused event for humanitarian leaders involved in all aspects of disaster relief operations across the USA and worldwide, secure your place now at disaster-relief.aidforum.org/ End
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