Hurricane Harvey and Nurses’ Disaster Management

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Abstract

This presentation aims to describe Hurricane Harvey and explain how it impacted the broader community. In addition, it evaluates and describes the effectiveness of emergency response measures taken in responding to the event and provides examples and rationale. This discussion also highlights how emergency response efforts by the Coast Guard rescue staff included marginalized communities. Similarly, it explains how the principles of a Christian worldview may be utilized to ensure the inclusion of marginalized communities in emergency response preparation and response. Finally, it describes the role of the DNP-prepared nurse when responding to Hurricane Harvey as an emergency responder and how they can target critical resources to individuals who need them the most.

Introduction

Hurricane Harvey was a category-four storm that hit Texas on August 25, 2017. Although most of its impact was in Texas, it also triggered flash flooding in Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky. Harvey affected over 13 million people and caused about 103 fatalities (Blake & Zelinsky, 2018). In addition, it left around 39,000 people homeless while damaging around 204,000 homes, most of which the homeowners did not have flood insurance (Amadeo, 2019). Harvey was the second costliest tropical cyclone in the United States, after Hurricane Katrina, with damages estimated at $125 billion. Similarly, the storm caused power outages to over 336,000 people in Texas alone.

Emergency Response Measures and Their Effectiveness

In response to Hurricane Harvey, search and rescue teams were deployed to different parts of Texas to rescue the survivors. The teams involved the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Department of Defense, National Parks Services, and Customs and Border Patrol. The search and rescue were conducted using aircraft, boats, and high waters trucks. Additionally, emergency shelters were set up in many regions, where survivors were housed and provided with basic needs such as food and water (Federal et al. Agency, 2017). The emergency response measures were appropriate, timely, and effective because many lives were saved. In this case, the Coast Guard rescue staff saved about 11,022 individuals and 1382 pets, while the USAR saved 237 animals and 6453 individuals.

How Emergency Response Efforts Included Marginalized Communities

The marginalized communities were targeted during the emergency response efforts because most lived in unelevated flood-prone areas. In this case, the search and rescue teams were launched in many regions, particularly the severely flooded areas in the northeast of Houston, where most marginalized people lived. For example, joint military and civilian rescue teams airlifted more than 170 people from acute flooded regions in Harris County (Pruitt, 2017). In addition, emergency shelters were also established in all counties, especially in areas of marginalized communities, to provide the survivors with basic needs. Decision-making during Harvey extensively considered diversity, equity, and inclusion because the rescue missions and emergency shelters prioritized saving and assisting all affected individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, and socio-economic status.

Application of a Christian Worldview

Helping those in distress of a calamity is rooted in Biblical sermons. The scripture narrates what might have been the first church engagement in disaster relief. When the disciples from Antioch learned that fellow brethren living in Judea experienced famine, they decided that according to their ability, each Christian would send relief to those affected by the disaster (King James Version, 2017, Act. 11:29). For these reasons, Christians continue to donate during disasters, regardless of any change in their income. In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches who a neighbor is and points out that it is about responding to those in need regardless of their ethnic and religious affiliation for the sake of human service (King James Version, 2017, Luke 10). Thus, the church’s disaster response is an expression of Christian faith, a confirmation of discipleship, and a gesture of love for their neighbors.

What Could Have Been Done Differently

Based on the evaluation of the preparedness and reaction to Hurricane Harvey, some responses could have been done differently. Firstly, state and county officials should have ordered the evacuation of people living in flood-prone regions (Lin, 2018). Despite a warning from the National Weather Service that there would be flash floods in Houston, the state officials refused to order evacuations. Similarly, state officials should restrict the construction of homes or apartments in flood plains (Collier & Satija, 2017). These suggestions can be applied in response to any hurricane because evacuations guarantee the safety and health of many people in disaster-prone areas. Additionally, restricting developments in flood plains reduces the risk of loss of lives and damage to property in case of a hurricane.

The Role of the DNP-prepared Nurse When Responding to This Type of Crisis as an Emergency Responder

During the emergency response, DNP-prepared nurses usually activate the disaster plan in their facilities and provide emergency treatment for injured individuals. In addition, they can help organize evacuations and coordinate with other agencies to transport patients to other hospitals. Such situations are often demanding and challenging for healthcare professionals. For this reason, emergency response requires nurses to lead with moral courage by being at the forefront to bring aid, usually at substantial risk to their own lives. They can also encounter complex ethical dilemmas that might threaten the patients’ safety or their well-being. However, the nurses can deal with the situation by using triage skills to prioritize and target critical resources depending on patients’ needs (Al Harthi et al., 2018). In this case, onsite treatment in shelters and hospitals must be given to people who have a high chance of surviving.

Conclusion

Hurricane Harvey is among the national disasters that have occurred within the last five years. It was a category four storm that hit Texas on August 25, 2017. It led to several fatalities, homelessness, and property destruction. Nevertheless, due to effective and highly coordinated emergency response, many lives were saved. The rescue efforts mainly targeted the marginalized communities living in flood-prone areas. Emergency shelters were also established to provide basic needs and medical care to the survivors from marginalized regions. This relates to the Christian worldview of assisting people affected by disasters since it is a practice clearly identified in the Bible. During the emergency response, DNP-prepared nurses usually activate the disaster plan in their facilities and provide emergency treatment for injured individuals. Nevertheless, more damages could have been avoided if state officials had ordered evacuations in the flood-prone areas and if the residents had adhered to building and development codes.

References

Al Harthi, M., Al Thobaity, A., Al Ahmari, W., & Almalki, M. (2020). Challenges for nurses in disaster management: A scoping review. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 13, 2627–2634.

Amadeo, K. (2019). Hurricane Harvey Facts, Damage, and Costs-What Made Harvey So Devastating. Lamar.

Blake, E.S., & Zelinsky, D.A. (2018). Hurricane Harvey. National Hurricane Center & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Collier, K., & Satija, N. (2017). Analysis: Four things Houston-area leaders must do to prevent future flooding disasters. The Texas Tribune.

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2017). Historic disaster response to Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online.

Lin, J. (2018). Hurricane Harvey.Bioethics, 4, 1-3.

Pruitt, T. (2017). Joint military and civilian team rescues more than 170 people from Hurricane Harvey using ground and air assets. Texas Military Department.

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