What NOLA Residents Can Do To Pull Together After Ida

“There’s no one right way because every storm is different.” CHRIS SISTRUNK, MANDIANT 

Natural disasters strike at any time and in any location on the planet. Fires, floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and hurricanes can wreak havoc and make life difficult. Following a natural disaster, stress levels are always high and can lead to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. 

On the sixteenth anniversary of Storm Katrina’s landfall, Hurricane Ida made landfall at Port Fourchon, La., with 240 km/h winds. Katrina and Ida’s comparisons are making waves. Especially regarding the location of the affected regions, similar trends, and more.

While no two catastrophes are alike, comparing previous and current disasters may help. Yet, that is not the objective of this article. This article discusses what New Orleans residents of the Ida hurricane do to pull everything together. 

Recovery Point Objective 

Days after Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on the city, New Orleans and its environs were without electricity. Ida knocked out all eight transmission lines into the city. Thereby plunging it and nearby locations into darkness. Levees, floodwalls, floodgates, pumps, and other protections prevent massive flooding. But Ida knocked out all eight transmission lines into the city. Getting the lights back on may take a while, but it will begin with a vast reconnaissance operation. 

Thus, to get things back to their normal operations, NOLA needs to consider employing disaster recovery procedures that will benefit the majority. Recovery plan considerations often include; 

• Budget 

• Resources — people and physical facilities 
• Management’s position on risks 
• Technology (IT infrastructure) 
• Data 
• Suppliers 

• Compliance requirements 

Disaster recovery planning 

In any organization, a disaster recovery (DR) plan is a formal document. It provides comprehensive instructions on reacting to unexpected occurrences such as power outages, cyber-attacks, and other disruptive events. The plan includes methods for reducing the impact of a catastrophe so that a company may continue to function. Or rapidly restart critical activities. 

However, if a disaster like a hurricane affects the entire community, there may be no formal disaster recovery plans. Therefore, the community can come together to create one. Also, if there are disaster recovery services, NOLA residents should consider consulting with them. That will help reach their recovery time objectives (if any). 

Building a disaster recovery plan 

The process of creating a disaster recovery plan is more than drafting the paper. To determine where to concentrate resources, risk analysis, recovery time, data backup, etc., could help. That is for the disaster recovery planning process before drafting the DRP. 

The following should be part of a DRP checklist: 

• Determining the degree of required therapy and activities — the recovery scope. 
• Assembling pertinent network infrastructure documents. 
• Choosing the most severe threats and weaknesses, as well as the most critical assets. 

• Examining the history of unexpected events and outages 
• Determining the status of existing disaster recovery plans; 
• Determining who will be on the incident response team; 
• Reviewing and approving the DRP with management; 
• Testing the plan 

Getting Funds (for relief and business continuity) 

Getting money from disaster relief groups with a strong presence is often the most effective method to assist victims and survivors. These groups have emergency response strategies for instances like these. 

Financial contributions, more than donated items, may be made quickly. They are flexible and benefit even beyond the initial reaction by assisting in long-term recovery efforts. Every money, no matter how little, makes a big difference. Many organizations create specific disaster relief programs in response to events like hurricanes. Getting funds will help NOLA residents to pull together quickly. Also, it can foster the resumption of business processes. 

Electricity outage 

The loss of electricity and how it impacts food storage is one of the most dangerous aspects of a storm. Time/Temperature Control for Safety Foods (TCS Foods) may become toxic when out of the temperature range. Foods on exposure to extreme temperatures may develop dangerous germs and deteriorate. Thus, placing humans at risk of foodborne disease. So, to aid this disaster recovery, NOLA residents may consider: 

• Creating ice baths for TCS Meals — eggs, meats, seafood, milk, cheese, and cooked vegetables after an electricity outage. According to 28-Day Keto Challenge Review, these are the kinds of food that you don’t need to sacrifice. Therefore, if the power outage is just for a few hours, this may help preserve TCS goods. 
• If it is safe to stay on the premises or the power loss will betrack monitor and record product temperatures. 

More 

• To keep goods cold, avoid opening reach-in and walk-in cooler doors as much as possible. If left unopened, a freezer in excellent condition may keep its temperature for up to 24 hours. 

• When out of temperature control for more than 2 hours or if the time out of temperature control is uncertain, discard TCS foods. To measure the temperature of meals, use a calibrated thermometer. 
• Use your senses after a power outage. Any food that smells bad appears off-color, or has a different texture should be thrown out right away. Never taste suspicious food; you may get ill if the food has deteriorated. 
• Dry ice may assist in maintaining refrigeration temperatures at 41° F or lower if power is to be off for a prolonged period. When utilizing dry ice, be careful since it may create hazardous carbon dioxide gas in enclosed spaces. 

Taking care of the flood. 

Floodwater can cause significant property damage while destroying critical systems. But it also poses a serious food safety risk. Sewage and agricultural waste have the potential to pollute all flood water. As a result, any NOLA facility that has had any flooding, even minor flooding, should: 

Wear safety clothing such as boots and coveralls before doing any flood cleanup or entering an area with floodwaters. Avoid coming into touch with the water on your skin. 

If any of the following items have come into touch with floodwaters, discard them. 

• Foods Grains 
• Items for a single service 
• Seasonings and spices 

• Plastic wrap and foil 
• Screw tops, flip tops, snap tops, twist tops, and other types of caps should be on jars and bottles. 
• Cutting boards made of wood. 

Other flood disaster recovery processes 

If there is equipment failure and equipment cannot be sterilized or not functioning, discard it. 

Walls, floors, and surfaces must be cleaned, rinsed, and disinfected. Consider using a norovirus-resistant disinfectant. Or make a 1000-5000 ppm chlorine solution by diluting 1/8 cup to 1 cup of powerful household bleach (8.25 percent) in 1 gallon of potable water. It’s critical to use unscented bleach, wear gloves, and create new bleach solutions. 

Before using, any metal, glass, or ceramic pans, plates, or utensils from floodwaters, clean, rinse, and disinfect. Following the application of disinfecting solution, all food contact surfaces should be clean. 

Availability of Water 

A clean water supply and adequate plumbing are necessary after a hurricane. While government authority will have the most up-to-date information, residents need to know these; 

• If water is polluted or a boil water warning, drink and cook with bottled water. Wash your hands with boiled water or a source of potable water. 
• Only consume bottled water that is not affected by floodwaters. 
• Only use a dish machine or dishwasher if you have access to 180° F or hotter rinse water. If you have no access to a dishwasher, use a three-compartment sink to wash utensils in boiling water. If you are unsure of water temperatures or cannot boil water, disposable plates, cutlery, and glasses may be the best choice. 
• Foodservice facilities should only open when there is a reliable supply of potable water for handwashing, cleaning, and sanitizing, as well as for cooking. 

Conclusion 

Disasters, unfortunately, bring out both the best and worst in individuals. For opportunistic predators, disaster situations are a signal. Home repair, identity theft, and contribution scams are the three most prevalent. 

It is best to have measures in place. But, if you don’t, don’t pay in full for later services. Also, avoid paying cash. Before working with a post-disaster contractor: 

• Consider your options. 
• Have your insurance company inspect the damage and, if possible, give a list of authorized contractors. 
• Keep your wits about you, and don’t hand out any sensitive information to anybody, such as your bank account or social security number. 

Even if you have insurance or flood insurance, you may apply for FEMA help. Make a mental note of your FEMA claim number. Apply for every piece of financial assistance that becomes available.