Recently, Hurricane Helene and Milton have destroyed many regions, namely Florida. Before this pair, Hurricane Ian was the most expensive hurricane for Sarasota and Manatee counties, resulting in insurance losses of approximately $1.25 billion in Sarasota County and $65.6 million in Manatee County. However, at $350+ million so far, Helene and Milton might come atop.
In the wake of Helene, water services and power outages remain ongoing challenges, with Duke Energy and local governments coordinating to restore essential utilities. Hurricane Milton, Category 3 hurricane making landfall on October 9, 2024, in Florida, exacerbated the situation. Striking areas still recovering from Helene’s destruction, Milton caused widespread devastation, spawning over 100 tornadoes and adding to the strain on emergency services.
Severe hurricanes like Milton and Helene are increasingly linked to climate change, as Florida’s warmer ocean temperatures fuel stronger storms with higher wind speeds, rainfall, and storm surges. Rising sea levels also worsen flooding in coastal areas, amplifying the state’s vulnerability to hurricane impacts.
With these tragic events that are affecting the lives of so many innocent individuals, there are many stakeholders that could be involved to minimize the negative implications, through efficient public policies. With complex situations like this, there is no necessarily “right” approach. Society must take into context every view to ensure balance and innovative thoughts. No matter one’s political ideology, safety is a priority, emphasizing the need for it to be maintained.
Government Systems: Municipal and state governments in Florida should continue taking charge– restoring utilities, manage evacuations, and coordinate emergency responses. Neighboring states should offer support through their own resources. Through liaising with agencies and other areas, bureaucracies like FEMA need to ensure efficiency in providing financial assistance, disaster recovery resources, and large-scale emergency responses. A potential public policy could be the creation of a new agency: coordinating federal, state, and local agencies to streamline disaster response, integrate data-sharing, and develop community-specific preparedness plans.
Utility Companies/NGOs/Volunteers: Duke Energy and other local power companies work on restoring power and water services that were disrupted by the hurricanes. Convoy of Hope is one of the prominent non-profits providing emergency relief supplies, such as food, water, and hygiene kits, to communities affected by the hurricanes. Other NGOs, such as the American Red Cross, are also active in disaster recovery efforts. Building community to get churches, centers, and local volunteers to organize relief efforts, distribute supplies, and provide shelter to displaced residents is crucial. A potential public policy is the push for policies that support the undergrounding of power lines to reduce the risk of widespread outages during future hurricanes.
Colleges in Florida: Universities and colleges in Florida (UF, FSU, UMiami) house many students who may be affected by the hurricanes. Colleges may close and serve as shelters during hurricanes, while also mobilizing students for relief efforts and conducting research on disaster resilience and recovery. A potential public policy is push for funding for university research on climate resilience and disaster response, developing innovative strategies to prepare for future hurricanes.
Ayan Kumar's Blog 