There are many threats and risks that the United States face and must protect itself from. While the federal government must focus on the threats that poses the biggest risks to the country as a whole, local communities must look at these threats differently. Threats that poses the biggest threats to the entire United States sometimes don’t exactly pose a threat to some local communities. There are six strategic challenges that have been identified to drive risk over the next five years, terrorist threat, cyber threats, biological concerns, nuclear terrorism, transnational criminal organizations, and natural hazards (Department of Homeland Security, 2014). Not all local communities face the same threats. This is why it is important for
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Large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago will have a different overall threat than a smaller town such as Joplin, Missouri. Joplin’s biggest threat to its community was natural hazards. This was evident in May of 2011 when the town was devastated when a tornado ripped through leaving 158 dead and injuring thousands (CNN Staff, 2014). Tornadoes are always a threat throughout the Midwest. Many homes and business have basements and cellars for people to take shelter in the case of a tornado. However, it is not clear if Joplin viewed tornadoes as big as a threat as it was and continues to be. The tornado that hit Joplin was classified as an EF-5 tornado with winds over 200 miles per hour. However, a two-year study by an American Society of Civil Engineers determined that more than 83 percent of structural damage to buildings in Joplin were caused by winds of 135 mph, which is equivalent of an EF-2 tornado (Asociated Press, 2013). Joplin was indeed prepared for a tornado, but the community failed to prepare for the worst scenario of an EF-5 tornado. The threat was determined, but the risks were …show more content…
Natural hazards are one of these threats. Mother Nature can sometimes be unpredictable and can strike at any time. However, a community can prepare itself for the worst. The town of Joplin found this out the toughest way possible. It is common practice for government buildings, schools, and other areas in the community to practice drills to prepare for fires, tornadoes, or even earthquakes. Practicing for these types of natural disasters is important to help people understand where to go in the event that one of these threats were to occur. While preparing the citizens of the community is very important, it is equally important to ensure all buildings are properly prepared for all threats. Studies determined that Joplin buildings were not designed to withstand tornado winds, resulting in a lot of damages and in some cases death (Asociated Press, 2013). Additionally, it was determined that the city lacked community storm shelters for those who were outside and could not get into a building. It is hard to predict a tornado or where exactly a tornado will hit. An EF-5 tornado will almost certainly result in some loss of life, however the local community must find ways to minimize these losses. This must start with making sure building structures are properly built to withstand the strongest storms. One could argue that many of the deaths were not due to the tornado, but due to the poorly built building
Large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago will have a different overall threat than a smaller town such as Joplin, Missouri. Joplin’s biggest threat to its community was natural hazards. This was evident in May of 2011 when the town was devastated when a tornado ripped through leaving 158 dead and injuring thousands (CNN Staff, 2014). Tornadoes are always a threat throughout the Midwest. Many homes and business have basements and cellars for people to take shelter in the case of a tornado. However, it is not clear if Joplin viewed tornadoes as big as a threat as it was and continues to be. The tornado that hit Joplin was classified as an EF-5 tornado with winds over 200 miles per hour. However, a two-year study by an American Society of Civil Engineers determined that more than 83 percent of structural damage to buildings in Joplin were caused by winds of 135 mph, which is equivalent of an EF-2 tornado (Asociated Press, 2013). Joplin was indeed prepared for a tornado, but the community failed to prepare for the worst scenario of an EF-5 tornado. The threat was determined, but the risks were …show more content…
Natural hazards are one of these threats. Mother Nature can sometimes be unpredictable and can strike at any time. However, a community can prepare itself for the worst. The town of Joplin found this out the toughest way possible. It is common practice for government buildings, schools, and other areas in the community to practice drills to prepare for fires, tornadoes, or even earthquakes. Practicing for these types of natural disasters is important to help people understand where to go in the event that one of these threats were to occur. While preparing the citizens of the community is very important, it is equally important to ensure all buildings are properly prepared for all threats. Studies determined that Joplin buildings were not designed to withstand tornado winds, resulting in a lot of damages and in some cases death (Asociated Press, 2013). Additionally, it was determined that the city lacked community storm shelters for those who were outside and could not get into a building. It is hard to predict a tornado or where exactly a tornado will hit. An EF-5 tornado will almost certainly result in some loss of life, however the local community must find ways to minimize these losses. This must start with making sure building structures are properly built to withstand the strongest storms. One could argue that many of the deaths were not due to the tornado, but due to the poorly built building