Evacuation Shelters Research Articles

Onsite Medical Rounds and Fact-finding Activities Conducted by Nippon Medical School in Miyagi Prefecture after the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011

This report describes our onsite medical rounds and fact-finding activities conducted in the acute phase and medical relief work conducted in the subacute phase in Miyagi prefecture following the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami that occurred off northeastern Honshu on March 11, 2011. As part of the All-Japan Hospital Association medical team deployed to the disaster area, a Nippon Medical School team conducted fact-finding and onsite medical rounds and evaluated basic life and medical needs in the affected areas of Shiogama and Tagajo. We performed triage for more than 2,000 casualties, but in our medical rounds of hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, we found no severely injured person but did find 1 case of hyperglycemia. We conducted medical rounds at evacuation shelters in Kesennuma City during the subacute phase of the disaster, from March 17 through June 1, as part of the Tokyo Medical Association medical teams deployed. Sixty-seven staff members (17 teams), including 46 physicians, 11 nurses, 3 pharmacists, and 1 clinical psychotherapist, joined this mission. Most patients complained of a worsening of symptoms of preexisting conditions, such as hypertension, respiratory problems, and diabetes, rather than of medical problems specifically related to the tsunami. In the acute phase of the disaster, the information infrastructure was decimated and we could not obtain enough information about conditions in the affected areas, such as how many persons were severely injured, how severely lifeline services had been damaged, and what was lacking. To start obtaining this information, we conducted medical rounds. This proved to be a good decision, as we found many injured persons in evacuation shelters without medication, communication devices, or transportation. Also, basic necessities for life, such as water and food, were lacking. We were able to evaluate these basic needs and inform local disaster headquarters of them. In Kesennuma City, we found that some evacuation shelters could not contact others even after 1 week after the earthquake. We realized from our experiences that, unlike our activities following more localized earthquake disasters, the first task following such large-scale disasters is to acquire information on basic life needs, including medication needs, and the number of persons requiring assistance. We must provide medical relief according to the unique characteristics of the disaster-affected areas as well as the specific nature of the disaster, in this case, a tsunami.

An Experimental Study for Motion Characteristics of a Floating-Type Evacuation Shelter Covered by a Sphere Shell from Tsunami

A float-type evacuation shelter has ever been proposed as one of urgent evacuation facilities by one of the authors. In this study, a new shelter covered by a sphere shell was proposed in order to control rotation of evacuation space for refugee. A series of hydraulic experiment was carried out to understand motion of the outer spherical shell and inner shelter. The outer shell had been kept rotating immediately after tsunami attack. In contrast, the inner shelter rotated once, but reverted back to the initial condition. The possibility of control of rotation velocity of the inner shelter by the weight was implied.

Preventing food poisoning through collection of out-of-date foods in an evacuation shelter

Preventing food poisoning through collection of out-of-date foods in an evacuation shelter

Precautions in Providing Medical Treatments Beyond Physician's Own Specialty During Emergency Medical Relief Activities and in Medical Care at Evacuation Shelters (Full Text in Japanese)

Precautions in Providing Medical Treatments Beyond Physician's Own Specialty During Emergency Medical Relief Activities and in Medical Care at Evacuation Shelters (Full Text in Japanese)

STRUCTURAL DESIGN GUIDELINE FOR TSUNAMI EVACUATION SHELTER

The tsunami that hit the Andaman beach of Thailand on 26 December 2004 demonstrated the need for safe evacuation shelter for the public. However, there exists no guideline for designing such a shelter. In response to this need, the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT) funded a project to develop the guidelines for designing tsunami shelters. The results of the project have been published as a design manual for tsunami resistant shelter. In this paper, the design approaches for such tsunami shelters are described. The shelters are classified into two categories: (1) shelter in the area where large debris is unlikely and (2) shelter in the area where large debris is likely. In the former case, a static load of a certain magnitude representing small-to-medium debris is assumed to act at random points on the structure at the inundation depth. In the latter case, the work-energy principle is adopted to balance kinetic energy of large moving mass with the work done through energy-absorbing devices installed around the perimeter of the lower floors of the building. In both cases, the structure consists of a main inner structure and an outer protection structure. The function of the main structure is to provide usable spaces for evacuees, whereas the outer protection structure protects the inner structure from debris impact. The main structure is designed to be either elastic or with a low acceptable damage level. The structural framing of the main and the protection structures can be concrete or steel structures that are capable of resisting lateral forces. The major difference between the two types of building lie in the way the outer structure is connected to the inner one. In the first category, the connector is rigid so that both the inner and outer structures resist the load together. In the second category, energy-absorbing connectors are used to absorb the impact energy. The structure must, therefore, be analyzed using a nonlinear static approach. The design guidelines for both building types are described conceptually in this paper.

Revision of seismic design codes corresponding to building damages in the “5.12” Wenchuan earthquake

A large number of buildings were seriously damaged or collapsed in the “5.12” Wenchuan earthquake. Based on field surveys and studies of damage to different types of buildings, seismic design codes have been updated. This paper briefly summarizes some of the major revisions that have been incorporated into the “Standard for classification of seismic protection of building constructions GB50223-2008” and “Code for Seismic Design of Buildings GB50011-2001.” The definition of seismic fortification class for buildings has been revisited, and as a result, the seismic classifications for schools, hospitals and other buildings that hold large populations such as evacuation shelters and information centers have been upgraded in the GB50223-2008 Code. The main aspects of the revised GB50011-2001 code include: (a) modification of the seismic intensity specified for the Provinces of Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu; (b) basic conceptual design for retaining walls and building foundations in mountainous areas; (c) regularity of building configuration; (d) integration of masonry structures and pre-cast RC floors; (e) requirements for calculating and detailing stair shafts; and (f) limiting the use of single-bay RC frame structures. Some significant examples of damage in the epicenter areas are provided as a reference in the discussion on the consequences of collapse, the importance of duplicate structural systems, and the integration of RC and masonry structures.

Information Needs in a Hurricane Gustav Evacuation Shelter: Reflections on a Librarian’s Volunteer Experience

Information Needs in a Hurricane Gustav Evacuation Shelter: Reflections on a Librarian’s Volunteer Experience

Food Safety Training Needs for Evacuation Shelters Operated by Faith-Based Organizations

Food Safety Training Needs for Evacuation Shelters Operated by Faith-Based Organizations

Establishing Large Animal Evacuation Shelters in Texas

Establishing Large Animal Evacuation Shelters in Texas

Changes needed in the care for sheltered persons: A multistate analysis from Hurricane Katrina

Following Hurricane Katrina, nearly 1,400 evacuation shelters were opened in 27 states across the nation to accommodate the more than 450,000 evacuees from the gulf region. The levee breaks in New Orleans and storm surge in Mississippi brought about significant morbidity and mortality, ultimately killing more than 1,300 people. The purpose of this study was to summarize the health needs of approximately 30,000 displaced persons who resided in shelters in eight states, including prescription medication needs, dispersement of durable medical equipment, and referrals for further care. The first available 31,272 medical encounters forms were utilized as a convenience sample of displaced persons in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Florida. This medical encounter form was completed by volunteer nurses, was standardized across all shelters, and included demographic information, need for acute or preventive care, pre-existing medical conditions, disposition referrals, need for prescription medication, and frequency of volunteer providers who providing care outside of their first-aid scope. Sheltered persons who received only acute care numbered 11,306 (36.2 percent), and those who received only preventive/chronic care numbered 10,403 (33.3 percent). A similar number, 9,563 (30.6 percent) persons, received both acute and preventive/chronic care. There were 3,356 (10.7 percent) sheltered persons who received some form of durable medical equipment. Glasses were given to 2,124 people (6.8 percent of the total visits receiving them) and were the most commonly dispense item. This is followed by dental devices (495, 1.6 percent) and glucose meters (339, 1.1 percent). Prescriptions were given to 8,154 (29.0 percent) sheltered persons. Referrals were made to 13,815 (44.2 percent) of sheltered persons who presented for medical care. The pharmacy was the most common location for referrals for 5,785 (18.5 percent) of all sheltered persons seeking medical care. Referrals were also made to outpatient clinics 3,856 (12.3 percent), opticians 2,480 (7.9 percent), and public health resources 1,136 (4.3 percent). Only 1,173 (3.8 percent) sheltered persons who presented for medical care and were referred to the emergency department or hospital for further care. Hurricane Katrina illustrated the need to strengthen the healthcare planning and response in regard to sheltered persons with a particular focus on primary and preventive care services. This study has reemphasized the need for primary medical care and pharmaceuticals in sheltered persons and shown new data regarding the dispersement of durable medical equipment and the frequent need for healthcare beyond the shelter setting as evidenced by referrals.

Are We Any Safer? Comprehensive Plan Impacts on Hurricane Evacuation and Shelter Demand in Florida

Five coastal counties in Florida were studied to assess the effect of state-mandated local comprehensive plan policies on hurricane evacuation clearance times and public shelter demand. Numbers of residential units in 2002 and at the time of plan approval were estimated from property parcel data. Abbreviated transportation models were used to calculate 2002 evacuation times and shelter demand and to ascertain the impacts of post-plan residential growth within hurricane hazard areas. Calculated increases in clearance times and shelter demand are not in concert with the state's mandate to maintain or reduce clearance times. State law currently limits the leverage of the state planning agency to compel local governments to implement the required comprehensive plan policies. We recommend a concurrency management strategy that parallels the state's requirement to provide adequate transportation facilities to accommodate the impacts of future residential growth. Such a policy could be employed in other states as well.

A GIS‐Based Model to Determine Site Suitability of Emergency Evacuation Shelters

AbstractIn recent years, the increase in the number of hurricanes and other costal hazards in the US pose a tremendous threat to the residents of coastal states. According to the National Hurricane Center, Florida is the most vulnerable coastal state to hurricanes. Mitigation policies have been formulated to reduce mortality and provide emergency services by evacuating people from the hazard zone. Many of these evacuees, particularly the elderly or lower income populations, rely on evacuation shelters for temporary housing. Because of the cost and limited use, evacuation shelters are almost exclusively dual use shelters where the primary purpose of the facility is for some other public function (e.g. school, hospital, etc.). In 2000, the estimated shortage of public shelter spaces in Florida was about 1.5 million. The purpose of this study was to rank the existing and candidate shelters (schools, colleges, churches and community centers) available in the state based on their site suitability. The research questions examined in this study include: (1) How many candidate shelters are located in physically suitable areas (e.g. not in a flood prone area, not near hazardous facilities, etc.)?; (2) How many existing shelters are located in physically unsuitable areas, but in socially suitable areas (situated in areas with demand)?; (3) How many alternative existing and/or candidate shelters with high/very high physical suitability are located near physically unsuitable existing shelters and thus, may be better choices for a shelter?; and (4) How many existing shelters located in physically unsuitable areas are not near alternative existing and/or candidate shelters? A Geographic Information System‐based suitability model integrating Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) with a Pass/Fail screening technique was implemented for the 17 counties of Southern Florida. It was found that 48% of the existing shelters are located in physically unsuitable areas. Out of all the candidate shelters, 57% are located in physically unsuitable areas. For 15 of the existing shelters in unsuitable locations, no alternative candidate or existing shelter with medium to high physical suitability exists within 10 miles (16.1 km).

PDA Use by Undergraduate Nursing Students on Pediatrie Clinical Rotations

In the 2005/2006 academic year, library and nursing faculty at Southeastern Louisiana University (SELU) investigated the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in undergraduate nursing instruction. This quasi-experimental research study, funded by the National Network/Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region, describes PDA use in pediatrie clinical instruction at three community hospitals, five health care centers in schools, and unanticipated post Hurricane Katrina use at evacuation shelters and East Baton Rouge Public Schools. The project consisted of acquiring hardware and clinical software, instruction in PDA use, development of library procedures for managing equipment, evaluation and analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration between library and nursing faculty.

Public Goods in the Field: Katrina Evacuees in Houston

Crises and disasters, whether natural or man‐made, are defined by conditions of uncertainty, disorder, and stress. In this research, we explore the extent to which individuals who were evacuated from New Orleans to Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina cooperated with one another in a public goods game. The study focuses on predominantly African‐American evacuees from New Orleans who were relocated to Houston‐area shelters in the weeks immediately after Hurricane Katrina. In this study, 352 evacuees participated in small groups across six different Houston evacuation shelters from September 10 through 19, 2005. The experiments reported here are adaptations of “dictator” and “public goods” experiments. We find strong evidence of group cooperation in the Houston‐area shelters.

Medical Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Like more than 150 communities in Texas, our community participated in disaster response for Gulf coast citizens evacuated from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We implemented and adjusted emergency operations plans that were designed to respond to a local disaster. Lessons learned will strengthen our disaster preparedness in the future, including the importance of a robust medical presence at evacuation shelters; the value of an accurate and timely database of medical needs for shelter occupants; the usefulness of brief paperwork; the need for a preidentified and pretrained group of healthcare workers; the necessity of timely and accurate communications with medical partners in the community; the requirement that our local city government plan, open, and operate disaster shelters in our community; and the impact of ease of travel, frequent and honest communication, and sincere appreciation on maintaining morale in our volunteers.

Hurricane Evacuation Expectations and Actual Behavior in Hurricane Lili1

This study compared respondents' hurricane evacuation expectations with their actual behavior 2 years later during Hurricane Lili. Respondents were found to have accurate expectations about their information sources, evacuation transportation modes, number of vehicles taken, and evacuation shelter types. They also had generally accurate expectations about the time it would take them to implement some, but not all, evacuation preparation tasks. These results extend contemporary attitude–behavior models by demonstrating a significant degree of correspondence between behavioral expectations and much later behavior under quite stressful conditions and suggest emergency planners can use many, but not all, aspects of coastal residents' evacuation expectations as a satisfactory basis for evacuation planning.

ＧＩＳを用いた洪水氾濫時避難行動解析システムの開発

In this study, the analysis system of evacuation action at the time of flood was developed using GIS. The system applied the network analysis which considers multiple refugees and shelters simultaneously and searches the shortest paths through the network links from halfway of the links. Moreover, the evacuation action was simulated in detail by linking network analysis and flood analysis. As a result, it was shown that the analysis system is applicable to plan suitable evacuation routes and shelters, and enlighten the residents on the importance of early evacuation.

Impact of Probabilistic Road Capacity Constraints on the Spatial Distribution of Hurricane Evacuation Shelter Capacities

The focus of this study is on determining the change in capacity requirements and desirable shelter locations as a result of link capacity changes during evacuation. A cell transmission-based system optimal dynamic traffic assignment (SO-DTA) formulation first proposed by Ziliaskopoulos is extended by introducing probabilistic capacity constraints. The p-level efficient points method first proposed by Prékopa is used to deal with probabilistic capacity constraints of the proposed stochastic SO-DTA model. The model captures the probabilistic nature of link capacities that change in response to the impacts of events such as hurricanes and earthquakes that can destroy or damage highway links. First, a simple single-destination example network is studied to show the effectiveness of the proposed model. Then the impact of using stochastic and deterministic link capacities is also analyzed with a simplified multiple-origin, multiple-destination version of the Cape May, New Jersey, network. Desirable shelter locations are evaluated by letting the stochastic SO-DTA model assign flows generating the minimum systemwide travel time. The results indicate that introducing probabilistic link capacities can adjust the overall flow in the network as well as shelter utilization. Thus, if planners consider the predictions of the deterministic model, they may face the risk of not having sufficient food, medicine, and other emergency supplies in shelters. This paper suggests a more realistic approach to evacuation planning to avoid the inefficiencies that created problems after such recent major disasters as Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Southeast Asia.

A Katrina Experience: Lessons Learned

Purpose Almost no data exist on how best to respond to the medical needs of civilians displaced by natural disasters. After Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Gulf Coast and seriously damaged the infrastructure of Jackson, Miss, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) was challenged with serving a large group of evacuees at a major Red Cross evacuation shelter near our campus. We reviewed our experiences and share lessons learned. Methods This is a retrospective review of administrative and clinical records for patients served by a medical clinic established emergently after Hurricane Katrina. Results Red Cross regulations precluded their volunteers from providing medical care other than first aid. Faced with numerous evacuees seeking medical assistance, UMMC established an ambulatory clinic at the shelter. The majority of patients had multiple medical problems, no medical insurance, and limited ability to purchase medications. The greatest need was for management of chronic illnesses. The clinic provided 2394 patient visits and filled more than 4902 prescriptions over 17 days. Conclusion While medical facilities have emergency response plans for epidemics and mass trauma, little attention has focused on plans for care of evacuated populations. Shelter operators should consider advance coordination of medical care with existing health care systems. Medical facilities along evacuation routes should be aware that they may be asked to provide care for sheltered evacuees.

Traversing grounded rubble fields by foot — Implications for evacuation

A field program was carried out in the Canadian Beaufort Sea to obtain quantitative details of the time required to traverse a variety of ice rubble conditions, typical of those that may surround an offshore structure in landfast ice. The results indicate that the time required to cross rubble fields increases rapidly with increasing rubble severity, determined by factors such as rubble height, ice block size and snow depth. The quantitative findings have implications for emergency evacuation from an offshore structure when an on-ice Evacuation Shelter is identified in the EER strategy for the structure. The results and analysis show that preparing and maintaining a suitable egress path across ice rubble is essential for safe evacuation from an offshore structure surrounded by landfast ice and a grounded rubble field. The implications for an offshore structure in a variety of ice conditions are presented.