Running Head: Natural Disaster Safeties

Natural Disaster Safeties

Maiko Okawa
Ocean Lakes Math & Science Academy

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What I Already Knew/ What I Wanted to Know
On April this year, 2015, there was an earthquake in Nepal which killed more than 8,800
people and injured more than 23,000 people. In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami led to more
than 1,500,000 deaths and 2,814 missing. In 2010 an Earthquake in Haiti led to over 200,000
deaths. (25 Worst Natural Disasters Ever Recorded, 2013) Natural disasters have been very
common over the past decade. These incidents of geophysical disasters and climate related
disasters worldwide have been increasing since the 1970s. There were three times as many
disasters in 2000s compared to the amount of disasters in 1980s. Many buildings and roads
were destroyed and the amount of economic damages increased. But most importantly, the
amount of death from these incidents has increased. What could they have done better to protect
themselves in these large scaled natural disasters?
Many people and Ive already known and learned to drop and hide under a desk and
avoid large objects or windows during earthquakes and to move inland to a higher ground or a
building around you during tsunamis. But many people did not survive in these natural disasters.
This is because the earthquakes were very large in scale that only hiding under a table was not
fully safe and they didnt have enough knowledge of evacuation center to escape when tsunami
was approaching.
What happens if an earthquake or tsunami hits my house or my school? Will I be able to
survive just by going under a desk or going up to the second floor? I needed more information to
provide safety for myself and my family on the safeties of these incidents. With my basic
knowledge of safeties, I wanted to learn more about different kinds of natural disasters and
preparations for each. How to act during after disasters? Since students spend most of their time

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in their school, I was curious what kind of supplies are there in school and what are the school
facultys responsibilities in the large scale natural disaster during the school hours.
The Story of My Search
My research lasted about 3 weeks. I started off my research by looking for different kinds
of natural disasters. I also though its important to looked for what is most common in this area,
Virginia Beach and when its the most common. In this search I interviewed Capt. Kenner, The
Civil Air Patrol, USAF AUX, Emergency services. I found three common natural disasters that
will be very important to learn more about them. Then I asked what kind of preparation is
necessary for each natural disaster. I learned what is necessary to have and know, and a website
that is useful during the incidents. I also learned how to act during and after, such as some safe
places to escape or actions you must take when youre properties are destroyed. I used a
newspaper to look for evacuation routes to take during hurricanes or floods. It was very difficult
to understand because the newspaper only included a map and routes without any explanations
for the map and I didnt have much experience using newspapers.
I also decided to look for school administrators safety planning since students spend long
time in their school. For this search, I interviewed Mr. Loehn, Ocean Lakes High Schools
administrator for security. I asked how he would decide whether students would be sent home or
stay in school if any unpredictable natural disaster hits around school and school faculties
responsibilities.
The Search Results
Through my research, I found that the knowledge of preparation for natural disasters is
more important than I thought it is and could save many peoples lives. It is most important to

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know some common natural disasters around the area. Hurricane, flooding, wild fire, has been
reported most in this area. Hurricane season in Virginia Beach is in late May through beginning
of November because the atmosphere is unstable during the summer time and there are thunder
storms developing in the afternoon. When thunderstorms have been producing stronger rain and
wind, tornados form and flooding occur. When the lighting strikes around great dismal swamp
area, the wild fire starts and it is difficult for firefighters to extinguish the fire.
Preparation that can be helpful for all kinds of natural disasters is to make a disaster plan.
The disaster plan should include 72 hour bag for each family member. 72 hour bag should
include absolute necessity to sustain a life of a person for 3 days. It should be packed in a
backpack and light enough to carry and walk to the evacuation center. This includes nonperishable food, a gallon of water, first aid kit, sleeping bag or a warm blanket, and many more
things listed on federal emergency management agency webpage. FEMA is an agency of the
United States Department of Homeland Security and residents can contact them and get help
from disaster survivor assistance during or after natural disasters such as when properties are
destroyed. (FEMA.gov, 2015)
Another important preparation is to choose out of state contact person and know the
meeting place such as a local evacuation center where you can walk to. This is necessary because
in case of a large scale natural disaster, the affected areas communication may be down. Once
evacuees arrive to an evacuation center or a hospital, that evacuees can register their names on
FEMAs evacuee data base so that out of state or designated family members can be informed
about the incident. In case someone panics, every person should have their personal information
written on a piece of paper water proofed.

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During hurricanes, flooding and high winds will damage homes and endanger lives of
residents of Virginia Beach. Learn the elevation level of surroundings and whether the land is
flood-prone. In Virginia Beach, storm surge inundation zones show that it takes 13 to 18 feet
storm surge to flood around Princess Ann road area and is has the least possibility of flooding. It
also shows that it takes about 4 to 5 feet storm surge to flood Ocean Lakes High School and is
has the highest possibility of flooding. The high winds will break trees and power lines and pick
up loose objects. When the tree topples, it brings power lines down. The loose objects will fly
and hit houses and break windows. If people out and about, they can be hit by broken debris.
Before the evacuation, it is important to secure all windows. If permanent storm shutters are
available, they are better options for the residents who live in the hurricane-prone area.
Sometimes, wildfires are caused by lightning strikes during the summer time even when
its raining. In southern part of Virginia Beach, adjacent to Chesapeake, has a swamp area that
has a substance called peat underground. Once it starts a fire, it is difficult to extinguish the fire
because the firefighters cannot affectively reach the area. There are few camp grounds and trails
in Great Dismal Swamp area. Campers must obey the park rangers instructions during camping
and hiking about fire management. (Natural Disaster, 2014)
Many people think collapsing of buildings kill people in earthquakes, but actually most
peoples lives were lost after earthquakes due to the fire from gas leak, cooking, and as simple as
room candles people use. Also, before the big earthquake, the earth pushes out hydrogen and
oxygen into the atmosphere and creates the ideal conditions for fire to burn. It starts as a small
fire, but there are no resources to extinguish the fire, which causes small fires to join together
and become a fire tornado that is almost 30 meters high. If a large earthquake hits the city and

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start fires in various parts of neighborhoods or cities, do not stay and try to extinguish the fire.
Evacuate to the safe area immediately. (Kenner, 2015)
When natural disasters occur during school hours, school faculties are going to decide
whether students should be sent back home or staying in school depending on the situations.
Virginia Beach City Public Schools will be provided with school buses when students are going
to be sent home. There is a food storage in the cafeteria that is enough for every student and
students are going to be kept in the school building until there is a confirmation of safety outside.
There are total of 3 AEDs in school and around 5 people who are certified to use them in case of
injuries. After any kind of natural disasters, school buildings are inspected for damaged
properties such as a possibility of a gas leak. (Loehn, 2015)
My Growth As A Researcher
I learned a lot from this research and discovered unexpected information regarding
natural disasters and its preparation. I used to be just afraid of natural disasters and hoped that Ill
never experience one, but researching on this topic made me aware of how to deal with each
situation. This research project was the first time I interviewed someone and made a connection
to a real life situation that I might encounter in the future.

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Cited References
FEMA.gov | Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2015, February 26). Retrieved June 16,
2015, from https://www.fema.gov/
Kenner, S. (2015, June 4). Safeties at home [Personal interview].
Loehn, B. (2015, June 9). School safeties [Personal interview].
Natural Disasters. (2014, April 17). Retrieved June 16, 2015, from http://www.ready.gov/naturaldisasters
25 Worst Natural Disasters Ever Recorded - List25. (2013, August 26). Retrieved June 16, 2015,
from http://list25.com/25-worst-natural-disasters-recorded/