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Minnesota Deploys Drones to Care for Aging Bridges

Laura Bliss

January 24, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Minnesota

Bridges don't last forever without at least some occasional repair, but how do city officials know when an aging bridge is in need of reconstruction? Typically, an individual has to bungee down to inspect it or specialized (and extremely expensive) equipment must be employed. That's why Minnesota is testing out the use of drones to do the work. Although not able to be used in every instance, these specialized drones that can be flown sans GPS, are able to get to places originally untapped during bridge inspections and so far have proven to be a highly useful tool.

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The Health App That Beat Hurricane Harvey

Erick Trickey

January 18, 2018 |

Politico |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

For patients with tuberculosis, it is vital that they take their medicine consistently and on schedule, even after they are no longer contagious, which can be time consuming and expensive for public health departments to manage. Teleconferencing has helped people remember to take their medications, even during a disaster like Hurricane Harvey.

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My Perfect Country: Cuba

Fi Glover

January 17, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Cuba

Following a devastating hurricane in the early 1960s, Cuba created a model disaster preparedness infrastructure that includes excellent forecasting, education in schools and promoting a culture of nationwide training where everyone has a role to play. The country also focuses on caring for the most vulnerable in disasters and there have been far fewer deaths in many storms compared to other countries. But the size of Hurricane Irma has challenged Cuba's ability to deal with larger, faster storms.

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Cuba: Hurricane preparation

Fi Glover Henrietta Moore Martha Lane Fox

January 16, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Cuba

Cuba has one of the world’s lowest storm fatality rates in part because citizens learn how to prepare and respond to hurricanes beginning in elementary school. Children know where to go in an evacuation, neighbors open their homes to those in need, local leaders distribute supplies, and vulnerable people such as those with disabilities are assisted early.

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In Harvey's wake, Dutch have much to teach Houston

Tony Freemantle

December 22, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands

Moving away from brute force and impermeable dams, projects that focus on spatial planning and long-term investment in dynamic infrastructure projects prove more resilient to flooding and natural disasters. In the Netherlands, the Room for the River project is one part of the country’s comprehensive approach toward protecting its citizens from the threat of floods. Instead of relying on private flood insurance, citizens in the Netherland’s pay higher taxes, which help to fund water management projects.

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The Japanese Tsunami, 2011

Tulip Mazumdar

December 19, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Japan

Two schools in Japan experienced the 2011 tsunami completely differently. After the earthquake, students in Kamaishi immediately took off running to get to higher ground, ahead of even their teachers. Meanwhile in Okawa, students evacuated to a playground and awaited further instructions. All but four people died at the Okawa school while everyone from the Kamaishi school survived. The contrast shows the importance of training people to take their own initiative when the unexpected strikes.

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How a custom Microsoft app is helping the Caribbean rebuild after hurricanes

Gregory Scruggs

December 17, 2017 |

GeekWire |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Antigua and Barbuda, Codrington

Bringing data analysis technology into post-disaster scenarios can improve methods of allocating funding for disaster relief and reconstruction projects. The UN and Microsoft have partnered to develop the Building Damage Assessment app. Teams on the ground can use the software package to collect and analyze data, which can then be easily disseminated and shared with policymakers.

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Officials patched and prayed while pressure built on Houston's dams

Mihir Zaveri

December 15, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Following Hurricane Harvey, Houston officials are taking steps to better prepare the city for flooding. Two damns, Addicks and Barker, have long been in need of repairs to increase their capacity and resilience, and after decades of putting it off – and thousands of homes flooded – the city is hoping to invest in one of the large-scale remedies that have been recommended in the past.

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Harvey overwhelmed some levee systems. Future storms could do worse.

Emily Foxhall

December 14, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey left many Houston residents questioning the efficacy of one of the city’s only protections, the Levee Improvement Districts (LID), responsible for providing flood protection. In neighborhoods prone to flooding, there has been much debate about the actual protection the current levees provide, leading many to call for solutions like the expansion of the LIDs through elections (rather than appointees) or raising the levees.

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How Do I Protect My Students from Gun Violence?

Robyn Jordan

November 21, 2017 |

Bright Magazine |

Illustrations |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

Preventing school shootings is difficult, but there are basic strategies that can curtail them and lessen loss of life. Those include limiting school access and making all visitors check in, ensuring intercoms and other technology work, but also working to prevent suicide so someone doesn't engage in a shooting to get themselves killed. Schools also need procedures in place for any crisis to ensure everyone is communicating and coordinating and children are reunited with approved family members.

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