Welcome back to Disaster Discourse Monthly!
Welcome back to Disaster Discourse Monthly. This month, we offer updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, a discussion of additional COVID-19 relief funding, and provide information on storms and natural disasters that affected different areas of the United States (US).
COVID-19 Pandemic…
As of May 4, over one million people in the US are confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. As cases continue to rise throughout the country, states are taking different approaches on how to control the further spread of COVID-19. Reopening discussions are ongoing, with a focus on balancing public health and ongoing economic impact. This is notable as the latest unemployment report states that over 30 million have filed for unemployment assistance (as of April 30, 2020).
To address the impacts of COVID-19, additional funding has been announced…
On April 24, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. This additional funding is targeted to further help small businesses while also providing additional $75 billion to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), which supports COVID-19 testing and other costs incurred by hospitals.
Meanwhile, deadly storms tear through southern states…
Severe weather tore through the south during April, killing many and destroying property. Storms consisted of extreme thunderstorms, tornados, and left heavy flooding were responsible for leaving more than 150,000 homes and businesses without power. In Mid-April, storms and at least 16 tornadoes in South Carolina damaged over 900 homes and killed nine people from multiple counties. This was the deadliest tornado outbreak South Carolina has seen since 1984.
In addition, aftershocks affect some Western states…
Hundreds of aftershocks continued to be felt during the month of April across Idaho and Utah. These aftershocks originated from two earthquakes that occurred in March: a 6.5 magnitude earthquake that occurred on March 31 in central Idaho and a 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Utah that occurred on March 18.
Ongoing natural disasters highlight the importance of state and local governments engaging in co-response planning, particularly as we approach hurricane season.
Thanks for reading. We’ll see you next month and stay healthy!