Thread by @SamLMontano

🧵Here's a thread of important things to keep in mind as this disaster unfolds.

#EMGTwitter

1. This wasn't a "natural disaster". Disasters result when there is an *interaction* between a hazard and us to the point that the impacts/ needs overwhelm our communities. There's always more than one factor that creates our risk.

2. Everyone is NOT running around looting. People are NOT frozen with panic. Martial Law has NOT been declared. The vast majority of people are making the best decisions they can with the information and resources they have.

blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/t…

3. The death toll will evolve. Initial death toll numbers are almost always wrong -- either too low or too high. It takes time for these deaths to be recorded (assuming they are) and for that information to make its way to the public.

disaster-ology.com/blog/2018/6/4/…

4. Disasters discriminate. The way we mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover varies depending on who we are and where we live. The entire emergency management system discriminates.

cnn.com/2022/08/04/us/…

5. While certainly there were efforts to prepare for this disaster, it wasn't enough. We can prevent this disaster from happening again, or at least significantly reduce future impacts through reducing vulnerability and hazard mitigation.

onlysky.media/smontano/damag…

6. This recovery will last many years and the government's current approach to recovery will be insufficient to address the widespread need.

thehumanist.com/commentary/hur…

7. ... even though we do know what can make a recovery more effective, efficient, and equitable.

vox.com/science-and-he…

8. In fact, this entire disaster is yet another example that we need comprehensive emergency management reform, especially as the beginning consequences of climate change come to fruition.