MUSE 11B Catastrophic

Events Fall 2003

There are many types of catastrophic events

Both natural and manmade

They all have characteristics in common

Damage to the built and natural environment Injuries, disease and death Large economic losses (both short term and long

term) Social consequences such as displaced people,

disrupted communities & psychological trauma Consequences can be minimized by preplanning,

mitigation measures and well-designed response and recovery.

Hurricanes and typhoons were the most costly of the 1990s weather-related events (FEMA obligated more than $7.78 billion*) A total of 88 declarations were issued for these storms.

*The United States spent ~$295 billion on defense during fiscal year 2001.

Tsunamis speed across the ocean at more than 500 mph

Tsunami damage in Hilo Hawaii, April 1, 1946, due to an earthquake with a reported magnitude of 7.1 that occurred in the Aleutian Islands off of Alaska.

Oakland Hills Firestorm - 1991

Deaths............................................…………25Injuries.............................................………150Single Family Dwellings Destroyed.……2,843Single Family Dwellings Damaged.....……193Apartment Units Destroyed..................…...433Total Living Units Damaged/Destroyed.....3,469Total Acreage Burned by the Fire...............1,520Fire Perimeter...............................................5.25 milesEstimated Dollar Fire Loss......................$1.54 billion

Ice StormsFrom January 5-10, 1998 eastern Canada experienced one if its worst ice storms in history

More than 4 million people were without power for hours. The thirdweek following the onset of the storm, more than 700,000 were still without electricity. 25 died. Water treatment plants were not working. Many maple syrup producers were destroyed.

FloodsPrague was hit hard in August 2002 with the worst flooding in at least 500 years on the Vltava River.

Impacts included•electrical power outages, •release of hazardous materials (chlorine gas), •habitat destruction•evacuation of tourists during the height of the season, •water-logged subway systems, •damage to historic buildings and artwork•loss of valuable animals in the zoo, •damage to and loss of function of historic bridges, and•economic losses estimated in the billions of dollars.

EarthquakesWith $44 billion in property damage, the 1994 Northridge earthquake was considered one of the costliest natural disasters in history…until 1995 Kobe ($120 billion)

Intersection of I-5 and State Route 14

Building in Kobe

Unreinforced Masonry Buildings (URM)

Much of the older building stock in California consists of URMs which are very vulnerable to collapse or partial collapse. Many of these are inhabited by lower income people.

Damage to Power Transmission Facilities

Power outages cause disruption to individuals, businesses and emergency response

Failed bridges disrupt commutes

Poorly designed structures

Many newly built parking garages failed in the Northridge earthquake. Fortunately the earthquake occurred early in the morning when the structures were unoccupied.

Fire Following Earthquake

Broken gas lines can cause fires. With fire departments already stressed, water mains broken and roads blocked it can be difficult to respond.

Liquefaction

Liquefaction in Northridge

When liquefaction occurs streets and foundations get torn apart.

Non-structural damage can be deadly

Library at CSU Los Angeles

Medical facilities may not be available

Hazardous Materials

It is important to install systems to prevent containers from falling off of shelves.

Non-structural Damage

Elevators non-functional

Water, wastewater and sprinkler pipes broken

Non-structural Damage

We had this type of damage at SJSU during the Loma Prieta earthquake

Falling hazards can be dangerous

From here

To hereYou don’t want to be

here!!

In addition to deaths, there are also many less severe casualties (hospitalized and non-hospitalized)

Most deaths occur in collapsed buildings

Water Sources

Our water sources are often assumed to be clean and safe for drinking

Catastrophes can result in wastewater discharges

Elevated concentrations of metals, organic waste, toxic compounds and other materials end up in water bodies that may ultimately be our drinking water sources

Catastrophes affect water quality• High turbidity (clay and other solids), coliforms, nutrients, debris

•Loss of treatment plant capacity (water and wastewater) and ability to treat water

Oxygen and pH are water quality parameters often affected by human activity and catastrophes

Acid Mine Drainage Runoff from

abandoned mines Extremely low pH

levels Extremely high

metals concentrations Result of fish kills,

habitat destruction

Fish Kills

Elevated pH and metal concentrations

Toxic spills Lack of oxygen Lack of food Increased temperature Lack of water

Summary Catastrophes can severely alter water

quantity, water quality, and the ability of water to be used as a resource

Natural catastrophes are often beyond our control, however the impacts of such catastrophes are the result of decisions that we can control

Think about this! Examples anyone??