Infrastructure – NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters

July 21, 2025August 11, 2025

Devastating Texas Floods Highlight Emergency Response Failures

A devastating flash flood hit Central Texas over the July 4 weekend, killing at least 135 people, including nearly 40 children. The majority of the destruction is in Kerr County, located within the Texas Hill Country — an area home to multiple summer camps. Many of the dead include young campers and staff members from Camp Mystic. In response to the flooding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have activated disaster response and recovery resources, but many feel that the state did not do enough to prepare for a disaster of this magnitude.

July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

Kimari A. McCoy, Desere Thompson, and DJ Windsor’s Disaster Plan: Active Shooter Preparation at the Dallas Pediatric Cardiac Care Center

Introduction: Violence against healthcare facilities is on the rise because they are emotionally charged environments, with open access to the public, and a perceived lack of security. Because of their open layouts, family-centered design (such as play areas and group therapy rooms), and the presence of young, vulnerable people, pediatric care facilities may be seen as “soft targets.” Staff members must protect patients, cooperate with emergency responders, secure locations quickly, and communicate properly with children and families in such a situation.

July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

Pierre Amiel, Chloe Wong, and Yuxin Yang’s Disaster Plan: Volcanic Hazards by Kona Community Hospital

Introduction: This disaster preparedness and response plan addresses the unique risks posed by volcanic hazards to the Kona Community Hospital Behavioral Health Unit (BHU), located in Kealakekua, Hawai‘i. The facility is situated on the western slopes of Hawai‘i Island, approximately 20 miles west of Mauna Loa’s summit and 40 miles northwest of Kīlauea’s caldera. While the hospital is not located in the highest hazard zone, it is situated within Lava Hazard Zone 3, an area historically vulnerable to fast-moving lava flows from Mauna Loa’s Southwest Rift Zone.

July 1, 2025July 1, 2025

June East Coast Heat Wave Forewarns of Extreme Summer Temperatures

During the last days of June, much of the East Coast experienced an extreme heatwave, bringing some of the highest temperatures felt in a decade. Over 150 million people were under heat warnings, including those in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, where temperatures reached over 100 degrees. The oppressive high temperatures can cause a dangerous heat dome, which occurs when a large area of high pressure builds over a region for several days. This heatwave is expected to be one of many facing much of the U.S. this summer, according to the Climate Prediction Center.

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025

Johnny Quinones’ Case Study on Hurricane Harvey

Vehicles underwater with freeways and buildings in the background during Hurricane Harvey

On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall along the coast of Texas, causing massive floods and damaging thousands of buildings. The Category 4 hurricane was listed as the second most costly natural disaster in the history of the United States, falling just short of Hurricane Katrina.

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025

Kimari McCoy’s Case Study on Hurricane Maria

A young boy stands amongst rubble from Hurricane Maria.

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, leaving 3.7 million individuals without electricity. The Category 4 storm resulted in losses of over $90 billion, the collapse of healthcare infrastructure, and limited communication for lengthy periods of time.

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025

Olivia Henriques’ Case Study on the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster

An explosion from the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Tohoku, Japan, generating a 14-meter tsunami. This event triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, a Level 7 nuclear event which caused widespread radioactive contamination and mass human displacement.

June 2, 2025July 2, 2025

Jisbelle Liberato’s Case Study on the Oklahoma City Bombing

On April 19, 1995, former Army soldier Timothy McVeigh and his accomplice Terry Nichols bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and injuring 684. The bombing is considered one of the deadliest in American history.

June 2, 2025June 2, 2025

Emily Carbajal’s Case Study on the Blackout of 2003

New York City during the Blackout of 2003.

On August 14, 2003, 50 million people across the eastern United States and Canada lost power. The outage lasted anywhere from two hours to up to four days, with hundreds of thousands of people stranded without access to major communication outlets.

May 30, 2025May 30, 2025

Syeda Lamiya Ahmed’s Case Study on the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment

Aerial view of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

In February 2023, 38 cars of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The train was carrying hazardous materials, and the accident resulted in a toxic chemical explosion. Afterwards, officials supervised a controlled chemical burn that released additional toxins in the air.