People Live In Hazard Prone Areas example essay topic

The United States of America experiences a very large number of different natural disasters every year. Most of these natural disasters are expected and all necessary precautions are taken in advance to avoid maximal damage. Some disasters are unexpected; these cause more damage and cost the government more money and casualties. Over the years the natural disasters occurring in the United States have grown in cost to the government. Hurricane Andrew which occurred in 1992 caused the government 25 billion dollars in damage, and is considered the most expensive natural disaster to hit the U.S. As time goes by the disasters cost more and more to the U.S. government because the population keeps growing and more people live in hazard prone areas. The government agency that looks out for natural disasters and emergencies is Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA is responsible for taking care of areas hit by natural disasters by providing monetary support and supplies necessary for rebuilding of the lands. A few years back they created a mitigation division which is responsible for all of FEMA's mitigation programs. Some aspects of the division include prevention so that citizens are aware of possible hazards where they live, protection which includes helping the people living in hazard prone areas to avoid possible disasters and partnership with local organizations to keep everyone more informed and up to date on current laws and possible funds in case of natural disasters. It is in my opinion that governmental agencies should have the right to regulate the use of privately owned lands in hazard prone areas at least to an extent. There are many reasons that governmental agencies should have the right to regulate the use of privately owned lands in hazard prone areas.

I think that although the land is privately owned and the government doesn't have say in what happens there, it is still their job to make sure no one is hurt or injured especially if the government is aware of the danger. The disagreement begins when the government wants to regulate not only some uses of the privately owned land but also other aspects like property and zoning and taxes as well. But FEMA which came out with a strategic plan in 2003 basis its goals on protecting people rather then regulating their lives and taking their money. The top two goals in FEMA's strategic plans are "1. Reduce loss of life and property and 2. Minimize suffering and disruption caused by disasters". (web) With this in mind one has consider the benefits of an organization like FEMA and put away the consequences in order to make sure that safety and protection are first on the list.

For example just recently in early may 2003, "Numerous tornadoes over the Midwest, MS valley, OH / TN valleys and portions of the southeast, with a modern record one-week total of approximately 400 tornadoes reported; over $1.6 billion in damages / costs ; 41 deaths". (web) The damage costs were enormous and people lost their lives. If the government didn't intervene in this hazard prone zone then it would take a lot of time and more money to rebuild and return to normalcy. Because of organizations like FEMA, the people are required to build safer homes and in safer zones to avoid natural disasters, even though there are no guarantees, the extra protection even though it may cost more money will pay off in the end when a disaster does occur. The 1.6 billion dollar total from these series of tornadoes was probably due to poor zoning laws and lenient construction guidelines. As new structures are built, requirements grow and conditions are safer everyday leading to fewer disasters in the future. It is because of governmental involvement and safety laws that more and more disasters are avoided each day and it is therefore that we should have the government involved in hazard prone zones for overall well being and safety in disaster prone communities.

Bibliography

1. FEMA: Strategic Plan Fiscal years 2003-2005.
2003) Retrieved October 30, 2003 from web 2.
Lott, Neal and Ross, Tom. October 30, 2003.
NCDC: Billion Dollar U. S Weather Disasters. Retrieved October 30, 2003 from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website: web.