1999 Hurricanes & Floods in NC

Hurricanes and Flooding in Eastern North Carolina

In the fall of 1999 Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd hit Eastern North Carolina with vengeance. Disastrous flooding followed.Hurricane Irene hit later adding more rainfall. Teachers, use the ideas, teaching activities, and resources on this web site to help students…

discover the sequence of events that made these natural disasters so devastating
examine the extent of the damage
determine how the impact of human interaction on the environment affected the situation
propose an environmental management plan to reduce the impact of such natural disasters in the future
propose ways that people in Eastern North Carolina can prepare now to minimize future losses from similar natural disasters

We cannot prevent natural disasters. What we can control is our preparedness, our impact on the environment, and our response to them. "Students of today will become tomorrow's homeowners, developers, and government officials. Now is the time to educate them in all phases of sound land use and to mitigate the loss of property and lives. To make wise decisions in the future, students must understand floodplain management, environmental hazards, and mitigation."
Jay Michaud, FEMA Region VIII, Mitigation Division

Start with probing questions

Challenge students to think about these disasters and their impact. What can we learn from this disaster to make wise decisions now and to prepare for the future?
This Inquiry Guide was prepared by Lois Clement, a teacher in the affected area, and her students as they prepared to study the disasters and their effects. (FEMA response to selected questions)
Use their questions as a guide to construct a similar Inquiry Guide with your students.

Background Information

Hurricanes caused the flooding:

Teaching Materials

Where in the World is GIS? This PowerPoint presentation introduces GIS and its role in disaster relief following the flood. (Download Presentation)
GIS Analysis of North Carolina Hurricanes and Flooding Explore the flooded areas using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - includes flood data and related environmental data for download and a GIS project for analysis
Satellite Imagery of the Aftermath of Hurricane Floyd (Dr. Joseph J. Kerski, USGS)
"How Hurricanes Affect Careers" Project by Betty Welsh, Leesville High School, Wake County Schools
Mitigation, How Do We Prepare to Minimize Losses in Future Disasters? This PowerPoint presentation introduces mitigation and teaches middle grade students what their families can do to be prepared for future disasters. (Download Presentation)
Mitigation, How Do We Prepare to Minimize Losses in Future Disasters? This PowerPoint presentation introduces mitigation and teaches elementary students what their families can do to be prepared for future disasters. (Download Presentation)
Activity - Be prepared before disaster strikes. Develop an American Red Cross Family Disaster Supplies Kit and an American Red Cross Family Weather Emergency Plan.
Activity - Build a model of a disaster resistant home.
Activity - Use a topographic map as a guide to make a model of your area. Determine which areas are safe for development outside the floodplain.
Activity - Design an emergency management plan and create a presentation to share with your community.
Activity - Analyze a map of the floodplain and maps of the actual flood. Why are they different? What changed? Why is this a serious issue? (Resources: How to Read A Flood Insurance Rate Map; Obtain flood maps for a small fee from MAP SERVICE CENTER (MSC), PO Box 1038, Jessup, MD 20794-1038, 800-358-9616)
Activity - Create a model of your river basin. Design a land management plan that protects the environment while meeting the needs of people.

How does it feel?

Teachers submit journal entries, flood stories, and art by children and youth who live in the area affected by the hurricane and flooding.

Resources

Environmental Education

Adopt-A-Watershed integrated, sequential, K-12 science curriculum focused on the local environment and emphasizing service in partnership with the community
Discover Your Ecological Address Activities that help you learn about your place in the natural world
Educating Young People About Water Program planning guide and links to curriculum
EPA Environmental Profiles Assess your areas air quality, drinking water, surface water, hazardous waste, and toxic chemical releases
Floodplain Definition and examples
Floodplain Management - Online resources for watershed protection issues
Floodplain Management Overview brief and very general description of the field of floodplain management
Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN) provides opportunities for young people to understand, improve and sustain watersheds in their community.
The Groundwater Foundation Kid's Corner Educating and motivating kids to care for and about groundwater
Local Offices for Water Resources Information about USGS water resource offices in each state
NC River Levels Shows current river levels and flood levels
Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide interdisciplinary water quality curriculum guide
River Network - Their mission is to help people organize to protect and restore rivers and watersheds.
Surf Your Watershed Determine the health of the aquatic resources in your watershed
Water Science for Schools USGS information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center
What is a Watershed Resources for the study of watersheds

Dealing with Disaster

Disaster Safety Red Cross information about dealing with different disasters
FEMA The Federal Emergency Management Agency with the mission to reduce loss of life and property and protect our nation's critical infrastructure from all types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk based, emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
FEMA for Kids Helps kids who have been in a disaster and helps kids prepare in case of disaster
FEMA Library

Mitigation

FEMA Library
FEMA Mitigation Learn how to lessen the impact disasters have on people and property.
FEMA Preparedness Training and Exercises Be prepared before disaster strikes.
Flood: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety Provided by the National Center for Environmental Health
Flood Preparedness Check List - Checklists of things to do before a flood and if you must evacuate
Hurricane: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety Provided by the National Center for Environmental Health
Hurricanes....unleashing nature's fury: A PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
Masters of Disaster Red Cross curriculum that teaches disaster safety
Photographs of Hurricane Mitigation Measures
Project SafeSide Know what to do in case of disaster

The North Carolina Storms and Flooding

Aerial Photographs of Flooding in North Carolina
Flooding in Eastern North Carolina USGS including stream flow and stage, water quality, photos, and links
Floyd aftermath photos
High resolution photos
Hurricane Floyd Relief Photos
North Carolina Current Available Stream flow Data
Tropical Storm Tracks Worldwide
1999 Hurricane Season Statistics

Caring for Animals in Disasters

Animals and Emergencies
Pets and Disasters: Get Prepared Advice from the Humane Society
Evacuation Tips for Pets
Evacuation Tips for Farm Animals
Hurricane Floyd Animal Rescue

Success Stories

Stories based on the efforts of young mitigators, presentations prepared by students as a result of this study

Re: Field Trip Reflections - FEMA Field Disaster Office, Raleigh by teachers and students of Phillips Magnet School, Edgecombe County, NC, December 5, 1999

Project Participants

This web site is the result of a vision of FEMA employees in the mitigation department. The original intention was to reach out to teachers and students in flooded areas and use FEMA data and resources to facilitate instruction. The GIS Consortium of educators, state and federal agencies joined the quest to provide resources to help people understand what had happened and mitigation measures that could minimize loses in future natural disasters.