- Collection:
- Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
- Title:
- Planning and preparation for natural disasters: a case study of Albany, Georgia and Elba, Alabama, 2004
- Creator:
- Black, Charles E.
- Date of Original:
- 2004-07-01
- Subject:
- Degrees, Academic
Dissertations, Academic - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- theses
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- This dissertation conducts a descriptive case study analysis of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) to determine how socioeconomic and demographic factors influenced information disseminated in the black communities of Albany, Georgia and Elba, Alabama by federal, state, and local authorities. Employing both the descriptive case study and integrative assessment models allowed the study to advance knowledge related to the loss of life, income, property, and human suffering associated with tropical weather systems in the black community. Data presented in the study examined the effectiveness of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (P.L. 93288) in making black communities less vulnerable to damage to public water facilities. The Act addresses problems of racism and exclusion and supports a plan for providing preparedness and emergency relief that improves land use planning to limit future damage to bridges, streets, roads, schools, and burial grounds by storm and flood waters. The analysis in this dissertation reflects the results of an examination of whether social, economic, and political factors played a role in how decisions were made to track, forecast, and predict storm activity in black communities. The analysis shows how national, state, and local authorities responded to transportation and public health concerns caused by floodwaters. Finally, the analysis shows how the concerns of the storm and flood victims, if factored into policy changes, can be instrumental in addressing hazard mitigation and prevention. The findings of the study illustrated that environmental racism played a role in the selection and participation of blacks to serve on governing boards and organizations that make decisions regarding how public warnings are issues and how storms and floods were tracked and forecast in Albany, Georgia and Elba, Alabama. The study concludes that the problems that existed prior to Tropical Storm Alberto were addressed by federal, state, and local authorities which mitigated the impact of subsequent severe weather.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:2004_black_charles_e
- Rights Holder:
- Clark Atlanta University
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
- Rights:
-
