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2019-2020 Coronavirus outbreak

British Columbia declares state of emergency in wake of devastating flooding, mudslides. Bridgette Watson, Akshay Kulkarni · CBC News, Nov 17, 2021

At least 227 dead in Haiti in wake of 7.2-magnitude earthquake. Widlore Mérancourt and Anthony Faiola, The Washington Post, August 14, 2021

California regulators vote to restrict water access for thousands of farmers amid severe drought. Ray Sanchez, Alexandra Meeks and Brisa Colón, CNN, August 4, 2021

Powerful earthquake jolts Turkey and Greece, killing at least 27. Isil Sariyuce, Mostafa Salem and Angela Dewan, CNN, October 31, 2020

West Coast Wildfires Reveal Massive Governance Failures. Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, Forbes, Sep 13, 2020

Oregon wildfires: Dozens of people missing in deadly blazes. BBC News, 12 September, 2020

At least 5 people killed in Northern California wildfires. Janie Har and Martha Mendoza, AP News, August 21, 2020
See also here on YouTube:https://youtu.be/NweBTTCobTM

How Hurricane Evacuation Can Spread the Coronavirus. Linda Poon,Bloomberg CityLab, August 25, 2020.

Hurricane Laura slams Louisiana and Texas. BBC News,28 August, 2020

At least 5 people killed in Northern California wildfires. Janie Har and Martha Mendoza, AP News, August 21, 2020

Greece floods: At least five killed after Evia island storms. BBC News,9 August, 2020

New South Wales declares a 7-day state of emergency as Australia's deadly bushfires rage. Jessie Yeung and Hilary Whiteman, CNN, January 2, 2020

2 firefighters die, 3 hurt as wildfires ravage Australia. Tristan Lavalette, Associated, December 19th 2019

California fires: Emergency declared state-wide. BBC, Oct. 28, 2019

California wildfires: Millions warned of possible power cut, BBC, Oct. 26, 2019

Wildfires threaten California. Fernando Alfonso III and Mike Hayes, CNN, October 25, 2019

Hurricane Dorian: Scale of Bahamas devastation emerges. BBC, 5 September 2019

Hurricane Dorian a Category 5 storm as it slams the Bahamas. CBS NEWS, September 2, 2019

Brazil's Amazon rainforest is burning at a record rate, research center says. Jessie Yeung and Abel Alvarado, CNN, August 22, 2019

DR Congo Ebola outbreak now an international Public Health Emergency, UN health agency declares. UN News, 17 July 2019

Climate emergencies and the rule of law. Jocelyn Stacey, National Magazine (Canadian Bar Association, 9 April 2019

Brooklyn families are poised to Sue New York City over mandatory measles vaccine order. Mia De Graaf, Daily Mail, 11 April 2019

New York City declares emergency over measles as cases double in two months. The Guardian, April 9, 2019

Rockland measles emergency: Unvaccinated children banned from public spaces amid measles outbreak in New York suburb. Lindsey Bever,  Washington Post, March 27, 2019.
See also: Parents Of Unvaccinated Children Sue Rockland County Over Measles State Of Emergency. Gwynne Hogan, WNYC, Apr 4, 2019.

Cyclone Idai: Mozambique survivors desperate for help. BBC News, 20 March 2019
Mozambique rescue teams struggle to save thousands. Workers appeal for more helicopters as flood waters keep rising after Cyclone Idai. The Guardian, March 20, 2019

California wildfires death toll climbs to 84, with more than 800 still unaccounted for. Morgan Winsor, ABC News, Nov 21, 2018

At least 9 dead as fires spread at both ends of California. Nicole Chavez, CNN, November 10, 2018

Rebuilding After a Hurricane: Why Does It Take So Long? Kaya Laterman, New York Times, Oct. 26, 2018

Trump declares state of emergency as Hurricane Michael leaves Georgia battered. Tamar Hallerman, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 11, 2018

Indonesian Soldiers Ordered to Fire on Looters in the Wake of Sulawesi's Earthquake and Tsunami.  Eli Meixler, Times, Oct. 3, 2018.

A Tsunami Didn’t Destroy These 1,747 Homes. It Was the Ground Itself, Flowing. Fira Abdurachman, Adam Dean and Richard C. Paddock, NY Times, Oct. 3, 2018

Indonesia Tsunami Death Toll Climbs Above 800Indonesia Tsunami Death Toll Climbs Above 800.  Hannah Beech and Muktita Suhartono, NY Times, Sept. 30, 2018

Tsunami in Indonesia: death toll at 832 and expected to rise sharply. The Guardian, September 30, 2018

Hurricane Florence is slashing the Carolinas in the opening act of a 3-day, coastal disaster. Nicole Chavez, associate writer CNN, September 13, 2018

Hurricane Florence: over 1m ordered to evacuate in Virginia and Carolinas.  Jamiles Lartey in New Orleans, The Guardian, 11 Sep 2018

Greece has declared a state of emergency over deadly forest fires

Greece fires: At least 60 killed and more than 100 injured in huge forest fires as country declares state of emergency. Sean Morrison and Tom Powel, the Evening Standard, July 23, 2018

San Francisco Earthquake Risks: Questions and Answers. Thomas Fuller, New York Times, April 18, 2018

Gov. Scott declares state of emergency in Florida ahead of Alberto. WFLA Web Staff, May 26, 2018

How One Houston Suburb Ended Up in a Reservoir. Tim Wallace and others, NY Times, March 22, 2018How One Houston Suburb Ended Up in a Reservoir. Tim Wallace and others, NY Times, March 22, 

Gov. Ralph Northam declares State of Emergency in response to statewide high winds. Jeff Williamson, WSLS 10, March 02, 2018
What Puerto Rico Is, and Isn’t, Getting in Disaster Relief. Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, Feb. 8, 2018

Cape Town cuts limit on water use by nearly half as 'Day Zero' looms. Lauren Said-Moorhouse and Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN, February 1, 2018

Cape Town Is 90 Days Away From Running Out of Water.Cape Town Is 90 Days Away From Running Out of Water. Aryn Baker, Time, January 15, 2018

New York declares flu 'disaster,' expands access to vaccine for kids. Jon Campbell,Democrat and Chronicle, Jan. 25, 2018

Brazil declares yellow fever emergency in Minas Gerais. BBC, 21 January 2018

Law proposed to require turning off powerlines in extreme weather. North Bay Business Journal, January 18, 2018,

Mudslides Strike Southern California, Leaving at Least 13 Dead. Jennifer Medina, Thomas Fuller and Tim Arango, The New York Times, Jan. 9, 2018

California fires : Trump declares state of emergency as flames stretch from San Diego to Ventura County. Jeremy B White, Chris Stevenson Los Angeles, The Indipendent, Dec. 8, 2017
What is the Stafford Act and why might it be making disaster relief worse? Scott Maucione, Federal News Radio, October 31, 2017

The catastrophic toll of California's wildfires: 27 dead, hundreds missing, thousands displaced. Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Kristine Phillips, Joel Achenbach and Herman Wong, The Washington Post, October 12, 2017

More evacuations ordered as deadly wildfires scorch Northern California. Madison Park, Jason Hanna and Steve Almasy, CNN, October 11, 2017

Mexico earthquakes

In Mexico City, Pressure to Prepare for the Next Big Earthquake. Elisabeth Malkin, New York Times, Oct. 5, 2017
Luck, Not Tougher Building Standards, Spared Mexico in Quake.  Azam Ahmed, Marina Franco and Henry Fountain,  The NY Times, Sept. 23, 2017

Mexico City earthquake: 7.1 magnitude quake hits DAYS after biggest in century – 237 dead. Ross Logan and Will Kirby, Express, Sep 21, 2017

226 killed as 7.1 magnitude quake fells buildings in Mexico. Mark Stevenson, Christopher Sherman and Peter Orsi, Associated Press. Mexico City, Sep 20, 2017

Mexico earthquake kills at least 61 and sparks mass evacuations. Sam Jones, David Agren and agencies, The Guardian, 9 September, 2017

Hurricane Maria

Trump signs $36.5 billion emergency aid bill for disasters. Ken Thomas, Washington Post, October 26, 2017

What every American needs to know about Puerto Rico’s hurricane disaster. Brian Resnick and Eliza Barclay, Vox, Oct 3, 2017
Gov. Scott Declares State of Emergency to Help Hurricane Victims From Puerto Rico, Opens Disaster Relief Centers. John Lucas, The Capitolist, Oct 2, 2017

President Donald J. Trump Approves Puerto Rico Disaster Declaration. The White House Office of the Press Secretary, September 21, 2017.

See also: Disasters and Emergencies: Legal authorities and the military’s role. Charlie Dunlap, J.D. Lawfire, 21 September 2017

Hurricane Irma

TEMA status raised to Level 3- State of Emergency as Irma moves through Tennessee. Ben Benton, The Times Free Press, September 11th, 2017
Violence Erupts on Desperate Caribbean Islands: ‘All the Food Is Gone’. Azam Ahmed and Kirk Semple. New York Times, Sept. 10, 2017

Evacuate now and avoid Irma's wrath: 'You can always party later'. Joe Sterling and Ralph Ellis, CNN, September 9, 2017

Congress approves Trump's aid and debt deal with Democrats. Amanda Becker, David Morgan, Reuters, September 8, 2017

Worried about being fired? Some in FL have few job protections if they evacuate. Joseph Cranney and Ryan Mills, Naples News, Sept. 7, 2017
NC governor declares state of emergency ahead of ‘powerful’ Hurricane Irma: ‘Get ready’. Josh Shaffer, Abbie Bennett and Anne Blythe, The News & Observer, September 06, 2017

South Carolina declares state of emergency, seeks federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Irma. Andy Shain and Jamie Lovegrove, The Post and Courier, Sep 6, 2017

Florida activates price gouging hotline ahead of Irma. Stan Chambers, WTSP 10 News, September 06, 2017

NRA threatens lawsuit after US Virgin Islands governor orders weapons seizure. Fox News, September 05, 2017

Trump Declares Emergencies as Hurricane Irma Intensifies. NY Times, the Associated Press, Sep. 5, 2017

Hurricane Harvey

GISCorps Rallies Hurricane Harvey Response. Sensors & Systems, Sept. 5th, 2017
FEMA avoids disaster in Houston — so far. The Washington Post editorial, August 31, 2017

Hurricane Harvey Triggers Price-gouging Law — in Oklahoma. Steve Byas, The New American Magazine. 31 August 2017

After Harvey, flood insurance needs reform. The Washington Post editorial, August 30, 2017

NASA Finding Harvey’s Strongest Storms. NASA. August 30, 2017

Lawyers licensed outside Texas can provide help to Harvey victims, Texas high court order says. Debra Cassen Weiss August 30, 2017

Will emergency loans be the next mess in Texas? Danny Vinik, Politico, August 30,2017

Price Gouging Laws in Effect in Texas, Louisiana. NACS Online, August 28, 2017 

Trump makes disaster declaration for Hurricane Harvey. Sophie Tatum and Jeremy Diamond, CNN, August 26, 2017

 

Japan orders major poultry cull after first bird flu outbreak in nearly two years. Aaron Sheldrick, Reuters, Nov 28, 2016
190,000 ducks destroyed at six Dutch farms after bird flu outbreak. The Guardian, November 28, 2016

Israel Fire Updates: Homes Burn Near Jerusalem as Haifa Blaze Calms. Haaretz, November 25, 2016

60,000 flee massive fires raging across Haifa; arson suspected.  Times of Israel, November 24, 2016

Italy earthquake: 6.6 magnitude quake hits centre of country near Norcia. Cameron Macphail and Associated Press, The Telegraph, 30 October 2016

Vietnam floods: deaths reported, tens of thousands of homes destroyed. Local authorities mobilise army and police to rescue trapped residents in central Vietnam following torrential rain. Agence France Presse, The Guardian, 16 October 2016

Hurricane Matthew’s Toll Rises; Flooding Hits North Carolina. The New York Times, October 12, 2016

Haiti Needs 'Massive Response' to Halt Cholera Crisis After Matthew: U.NAlastair Jamieson, NBC News.  OCT 11, 2016

 Photos and Detailed Maps Reveal Hurricane Matthew’s Brutal Aftermath in Haiti. K.K. Rebecca Lai and Sergio Pecanha, the New York Times, OCT. 10, 2016

 In Hurricane Matthew's Path? What Employees Need to Know. Donna Ballman,  Fortune, October 6, 2016

 Hurricane Matthew: How are Haiti and Florida coping?Megan Howe, BBC News, Oct 7 2016

 Hurricane Matthew Strengthens as Florida Officials Urge Evacuations.  Alex Johnson, Elizabeth Chuck and Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, Oct 6 2016

 Hurricane Matthew lashes Haiti, heads toward Cuba. Catherine E. Shoichet and Max Blau, CNN, October 4, 2016

Hurricane Matthew: South Carolina Governor Plans Evacuation. ABC News, the Associated Press, Oct 4, 2016

Tropical Storm Hermine triggers Florida state of emergency. Arek Sarkissian, Naples Daily News, Florida Today, August 31, 2016

Earthquake in central Italy leaves at least 38 dead. BBC News, Aug. 24, 2016

Large Earthquake Strikes Central Italy, Killing Several People. Elisabetta Povoledoand and Christopher Mele,  The New York Times, AUG. 23, 2016

Over 300 dead in India as floods force villagers into relief camps. Nita Bhalla and Jatindra Dash, Reuters, 23 August, 2016

Louisiana Governor Declares State of Emergency Over Flooding.ABC News, Bill Fuller and Jeff Amy, Associated Press, August 13, 2016

Death toll from Ecuador earthquake surpasses 650. Reuters, April 23, 2016

Creating a Map to Navigate the Post-Earthquake Landscape in Ecuador. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker. April 19, 2016

Ecuador earthquake: Aid pours in as rescuers rush to find more victims. Michael Pearson, CNN, April 18, 2016

Louvre closed and France declares state of emergency as deadly flooding hits Europe. BY Sam Rkaina , Sybille De La Hamaide ,Emmanuel Jarry, Mirror, 2 June 2016

World Bank Group Launches Groundbreaking Financing Facility to Protect Poorest Countries against Pandemics. First-ever insurance and pandemic bonds will save lives and protect economies. World Bank press release, May 21, 2016.

New report officially ranks all the catastrophes that could wipe us out in 2016

Earthquake Jolts Ecuador Into Enacting Long-Avoided Fiscal Changes. Nicholas Casey, New York Times, April 23, 2016

Death toll from Ecuador earthquake surpasses 650. Reuters, April 23, 2016

Creating a Map to Navigate the Post-Earthquake Landscape in Ecuador. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker. April 19, 2016

Ecuador earthquake: Aid pours in as rescuers rush to find more victims. Michael Pearson, CNN, April 18, 2016

Ecuador earthquake of 7.8 magnitude kills dozens. BBC News, 17 April, 2016

Japan hit by 7.1-magnitude earthquakeReports of people trapped inside buildings after second earthquake in as many nights in Kumamoto region. Associated Press in Tokyo, April 15, 2016

 Japan earthquake kills 9, more aftershocks expected Holly Yan and Yoko Wakatsuki, CNN, April 15, 2016

New report:Nepal: human rights must be fully integrated in post-disaster humanitarian assistance. International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), March 29, 2016

Emergency response provisions crucial in top law to deal with major disasters. The Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan News, March 25, 2016.

Taiwan vows new safety laws after quake disaster. AFP,  19 February 2016

Deadly earthquake topples buildings in Taiwan city of Tainan. BBC News. 6 February, 2016

Zika virus crisis

Larvicide Manufactured By Sumitomo, Not Zika Virus, True Cause Of Brazil's Microcephaly Outbreak: Doctors. Alyssa Navarro, Tech Times, 14 February 2016.

Zika virus: World Health Organisation declares public health emergency. UN body acts over mosquito-borne virus to trigger funding for prevention campaign and research to establish exact link to serious birth defects. Sarah Boseley Health editor and Jonathan Watts in Rio de Janeiro,  1 February 2016

Zika crisis: World Health Organization in emergency talks. James Gallagher, Health editor, BBC News website 1 February 2016

State of emergency declared in Pennsylvania amid winter storm forecasts. Megan Trimble, Penn Live, January 21, 2016 

New York governor orders homeless off streets in freezing weather. REUTERS, 04 Jan 2016

Army called in as floods continue to devastate northern England. Thousands evacuated after homes and businesses hit by ‘unprecedented’ water levels in major cities and scores of towns and villages. Matthew Taylor and Ben Quinn.The Guardian, Sunday 27 December 2015 

New Orleans Receives a $2 Billion Settlement from FEMA for post-Hurricane Katrina Reconstruction. Matt Ball, Informed Infrastructure, December 14, 2015.

'State of emergency' as 15,000 homes left without power. Storms wreak havoc on already frayed power grid, while rapid succession of heavy rains leads to flooding across the country. Raanan Ben Zur, Gilad Morag, Israel News, 10.28.15.

Chile quake: State of emergency declared for Coquimbo. BBC News, September 18, 2015

Ten years after Hurricane Katrina:Some people got away alright. The Big Easy’s recovery is a parable of America’s strength, flaws—and future. The Economist, Aug 22, 2015

Red Cross advocates comprehensive disaster law in Nigeria. News 24 Nigeria, July 24, 2015.

Avian flu outbreak in Iowa - Obama denies disaster declaration. By Jacqui Fatka, Feedstuffs, Jul 9, 2015

The Philippines needs legal defenses to survive climate change. Ayeen Karunungan,  July 6, 2015 

Disaster-prone Asia still sorely lacking risk governance. M.E. Reza, scidev.net/asia-pacific, 25/06/15

Global risks: Pool knowledge to stem losses from disasters. Public awareness, rigorous risk research and aligned targets will help policy-makers to increase resilience against natural hazards. Susan L. Cutter and colleagues, Nature, 17 June 2015.

New Civil Defence Recovery law in New Zeland. Press Release: New Zealand Government, 15 June 2015

Texas floods

Texas floods: US president Obama signs disaster declaration, allowing federal emergency relief. Reuters, May 30, 2015

Tornado rips through Mexico killing 13 people; Texas declares states of disaster in 24 counties after flooding. AFP/Reuters, May 28, 2015

Nepal Earthquake

Regional cooperation termed vital for timely disaster response. National Disaster Management Authority official says Pakistan has sent army field hospital, doctors and paramedics to Nepal. Daily Times, May 15, 2015.

Nepal earthquake: Survivors express frustration at government's slow response to growing crisis. ABC News, April 28, 2015

Nepal earthquake: authorities struggle to cope despite international aid efforts. The Guardian, Jason Burke in Kathmandu, Justin McCurry, Sam Jones and agencies, Monday 27 April 2015 

Sydney storm: Natural disaster to be declared after worst weather in decades.Leesha McKenny, Sydney Morning Herald, April 22, 2015 

Bill lets Texas governor declare infectious disease disaster. By Eva Ruth Moravec, Associated Press, March 31, 2015

Ebola-2014

Sierra Leone News: EBOLA – History about to repeat itself in Sierra Leone. 7 November 2014

Theoretically quarantined nurse who treated Ebola patients goes for bike ride. Ebola medic Kaci Hickox remains defiant, even as Maine Governor Paule LePage (R) plans to seek legal authority to keep the nurse isolated at home until the incubation period for Ebola has passed. By Mark Berman October 30, 2014

All Travelers Coming to U.S. From Ebola-Hit Countries Will Be Monitored. By Alexandra Sifferlin, Time. Oct. 22, 2014.

Ebola in America: 'Disaster declaration' being planned in Dallas. The Examiner

International disaster response law makes headway in Myanmar. By Lucia Cipullo and Kevin Wirasamban, IFRC, October 9th, 2014

Obama Sends 3,000 Troops to Ebola Hot Zone in Africa - NBCnews

Eight Killed in Attack on Ebola Team in Guinea. By Maggie Fox, NBC News September 19th 2014

With Spread of Ebola Outpacing Response, UN Security Council Adopts Resolution 2177 (2014) Urging Immediate Action, End to Isolation of Affected States.18 September 2014

See also:The UN Security Council Takes up Ebola. By Kristen Boon, OpinioJuris 18 sept.2014


BBC 6 September 2014 : Sierra Leone declares Ebola lockdown

New York Times: Using a Tactic Unseen in a Century, Countries Cordon Off Ebola-Racked Areas. By Donald G. McNeil Jr. Aug. 12, 2014.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the spread of Ebola in West Africa an international health emergency

 New York Times, Donald G. McNeil Jr. Aug. 12, 2014: The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is so out of control that governments there have revived a disease-fighting tactic not used in nearly a century: the “cordon sanitaire,” in which a line is drawn around the infected area and no one is allowed out.

Understanding Ebola, by Alvin Powell: Harvard’s VanRooyen explains how disease works and how to make headway against it.

Other Natural Disasters - 2014

Malawi: Update On Declaration of State of Disaster in Areas Affected By Floods. Malawi News Agency(Lilongwe), 16 JANUARY 2015

No need to declare disaster emergency – Council of Professors. Borneo Post, December 29, 2014.

President Obama Signs New York Disaster Declaration.The President today (22/Dec/2014) declared a major disaster exists in the State of New York and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm, snowstorm, and flooding during the period of November 17-26, 2014. See alsohere

2 Years After Sandy, U.S. Disaster Policy Is Still A Disaster. By Kate Sheppard, huffingtonpost.29 Oct.2014