Hurricane Michael: Natural Disaster Assignment
Description of the Natural Disaster
The selected natural disaster is Hurricane Michael which hit Florida Panhandle in 10th October 2018. Hurricane Michael became the 4th Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the U.S., primarily hitting Florida’s Panhandle with a storm surge of up to 14ft and extremely damaging winds (Barker, 2022). This lead to mass destruction and flooding in the U.S. mainland. The storm’s catastrophic damage affected towns in the Panama City as well as the Tyndall Air Force Base which is located on a peninsula between Panama City and Mexico Beach. The Weather Channel reports show that the storm caused over $1 billion in damage in southeast Alabama and $4.7 billion in southeast and central Georgia (Barker, 2022). Overall, the storm caused an estimated $25.5 billion in damage and 59 fatalities.
Health Consequences of the Disaster at Population Level
The 2018 Hurricane Michael left significant health consequences at the population level, including physical injuries and fatalities, mental health issues, displacement and housing problems, and damage of public health infrastructure. According to Barker (2022), Hurricane Michael claimed 59 lives – 16 directly and 43 indirectly. Most of these fatalities were reported in Florida, with a few being reported in North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. Also, the storm destructed people’s homes and houses, forcing them to seek temporary shelter. Besides, the storm’s survivors experienced increased depression, stress, and anxiety due to the loss of loved ones, livelihoods, homes, and communities. In addition, Hurricane Michael damaged public health infrastructure, affecting the population’s access to emergency services, routine care, and mental care support (Barker, 2022). Economically, an estimated $25.5 billion was lost to this disaster.
Using Population Health and Epidemiology Concepts to Assess Health Outcomes
The population health and epidemiology concepts could be applied to assess the disaster’s health outcomes as discussed below:
- Epidemiological Surveillance: To track incidences of fatalities, injuries, destructions, damage, or health conditions post-disaster by gathering data from emergency services, nearby hospitals, or mortality records (Curley, 2020). This concept could assist in identifying new health trends and emerging health concerns.
- Vulnerability Mapping: To identify and map the populations that are more vulnerable to hurricane storms, for example, people residing along the affected areas, children and the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions. Vulnerability mapping will assist in effectively targeting resources and mitigation interventions (Friis & Sellers, 2021).
- Needs Assessment: Doing community needs assessment could help in determining the specific population health needs in the affected areas, including housing, medical care, and mental health services (Curley, 2020).
Using Population Health and Epidemiology Concepts to Mitigate Negative Health Effects
The population health and epidemiology concepts could be used to mitigate the Hurricane Michael’s negative health effects in the following ways:
- Emergency Preparedness Planning: The application of population health and epidemiology concepts can help develop health measures that promote disaster preparedness and response (Friis & Sellers, 2021). Thus, this improves readiness in terms of developing health response protocols for mental support, medical care, and logistical coordination.
- Resources Allocation: Using epidemiological data promotes efficient resources allocation, such as emergency response teams, medical supplies, or mental health support, which ensures prompt response to the population’s critical needs (Curley, 2020).
- Health Education and Promotion: Educating the population on the health risks and safety measures to take when a disaster strikes could assist in lowering the incidences of a disaster’s injuries or fatalities (Friis & Sellers, 2021).
Leadership Roles of Nursing in Mitigating Negative Health Outcomes
Following a disaster like the 2018 Hurricane Michael, nurses play important roles in mitigating the negative health outcomes like injuries, fatalities, mental health disorders, and increased risk of infectious diseases. First, nurses play a pivotal role in disaster preparedness and response by collaborating with the National Emergency Management Association to develop and implement emergency control plans (Hertelendy et al., 2022). They also ensure that healthcare organizations remain ready and equipped to address emergency cases. Second, nurses have the role of providing direct care in the aftermath of a disaster, including first aid and treatment for the injured people. Another important role for nurses is providing community support and education. They educate community members on the health risks, available resources, and preventive protocols (Hertelendy et al., 2022). Also, nurses have the role of coordinating with government agencies, NGOs, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that all health needs of the community are addressed.
References
Barker, A. (2022, October 10). Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle 4 years ago. Retrieved from FOX Weather: https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/category-5-hurricane-michael-florida-panhandle-2018
Curley, A. L. C. (Ed.). (2020). Population-based nursing: Concepts and competencies for advanced practice (3rd Ed.). Springer.
Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2021). Epidemiology for public health practice (6th Ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Hertelendy, A. J., Gutberg, J., Mitchell, C., Gustavsson, M., Rapp, D., Mayo, M., & von Schreeb, J. (2022). Mitigating moral distress in leaders of healthcare organizations: A scoping review. Journal of Healthcare Management, 67(5), 380-402. https://doi.org/10.1097/jhm-d-21-00263