Michelle Bandel provides an analysis of the 2012 Hurricane Sandy’s epidemiological, management, and communication factors. She described the extensive infrastructural damages that resulted from the most expensive hurricane since Katrina. Hurricane Sandy caused $62 billion in damages in the US and $315 million in the Caribbean, Michelle describes the costly impact on the destruction of infrastructures such as roads and tunnels.
The total reported death toll from multiple countries was 285, with 125 deaths in the United States alone, of those 57.3% were direct deaths caused by environmental and structural forces, and 38% were indirect deaths caused by unsafe conditions. For many of the post-disaster management efforts such as the supply and distribution of medical supplies, water, and food, healthcare coalitions and multi-lateral partnerships were harnessed. Agencies like the Red Cross, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), FEMA, CDC, and others shared resources and knowledge to streamline operations. Additionally, FEMA approved $600 million in direct assistance, the Senate passed a $50.5 billion Hurricane Sandy relief bill, and President Barack Obama passed an executive order to establish a task force to rebuild and recover from the hurricane.
Deployed nurses in major NYC hospitals faced challenges practicing in unfamiliar environments, Michelle described the responder’s psychosocial challenges stemming from the ongoing evacuation plans and increasing uncertainty of the future. With the exception of some unprepared hospitals during the acute phase, the response efforts were relatively effective. Throughout the case study, Michelle highlights that hospital evacuation, rescue & recovery efforts, workplace disruption and instability, and communication are all plans that need to be optimized for future occurrences.
Read Michelle Bandel’s case study here