True Cost of Hurricanes: Case for a Comprehensive Understanding of Multihazard Building Damage

A critical analysis of hazard resilience measures within sustainability assessment frameworks

“…The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defines resilience as the "ability to resist, absorb, recover from or successfully adapt to adversity or a change in conditions" (DHS, 2009, pp 111). In social and ecological fields, definitions of resilience center on the idea that systems are in flux and that to survive, systems adapt or transform to accommodate shocks or changes in variables (Friedland and Gall, 2012). "As such, resilience focuses on persistence through continuous development, innovation, and transformation to attain new and better-adapted configurations" (Friedland and Gall, 2012, pp 141).…”

Defining, Describing, and Categorizing Public Health Infrastructure Priorities for Tropical Cyclone, Flood, Storm, Tornado, and Tsunami-Related Disasters

“…56,59,60,63 Governance Governance was described as agreements, command, control and coordination (leadership), planning (business continuity and policy), disaster system, finance and funding, and laws (enforcement and administration). 23,35,36,[44][45][46]48,51,53,59,63,64,[66][67][68][69][70][71][72] Agreements referred to arrangements and partnerships in place between agencies and organizations to prepare and respond to a disaster. 46,67 Command, control, and coordination was described as the systems and processes used to prevent duplication of activities and enhance efficiency of available resources (for example, military support).…”

“…36,44,48,51,64,[66][67][68] Planning referred to preparations undertaken for disasters, including elements of the disaster system (for example, emergency management committee) and policy development. 40,46,53,63,67,69,72 Finance and funding referred to commodities and accessing funds required to ensure appropriate activities before, during, and after a disaster. 23,35,45 Laws were described as the legislative frameworks to protect and…”

“…Physical structure was categorized as buildings, storage facilities, health facilities, shelters, and general infrastructure. 23,25,28,29,32,41,44,45,48,49,56,58,61,62,64,66,69,[71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80] Buildings included accommodation and more generally shelters used to protect people from the elements. 28,71,74 Storage facilities included sites used to house goods, supplies, and equipment.…”

“…47,61 Health facilities referred to those aspects of buildings used for delivering health services (for example, hospitals, medical facilities, and primary care offices). 28,29,32,41,44,45,48,49,58,59,61,62,69,72 Shelter included housing and homes, which can be temporary (such as schools) or permanent structures (such as houses). [27][28][29]34,39,49,50,58,76,77,81 Shelter provided a mechanism for people to stay safe and healthy.…”