Welcome back to Disaster Discourse Monthly!

Welcome back to Disaster Discourse Monthly. This month, we provide you with updates on the COVID-19 pandemic response, Hurricane Laura, the Midwest derecho, and fires that have been impacting the Western United States (US).

The COVID-19 Pandemic…

The US has recorded that over 6 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19, and over 840,000 have died worldwide from the virus. As schools came back into session this month, many schools have had to temporarily close down, or move classes completely online, due to spikes of COVID-19 cases. According to tracking by the New York Times, more than 26,000 cases have been linked to colleges and universities across the US.

Additionally, in early August, FEMA began providing states with financial assistance for Americans who have lost wages due to COVID-19. This grant funding will allow each state to provide unemployed individuals with an additional $300 per week — on top of their regular unemployment benefit. So far, 40 states have been approved for this federal program.

The 2020 Hurricane Season continues to break records with Hurricane Laura’s impact on the Gulf Coast…

During this Atlantic Hurricane season, there have been seven tropical storms/hurricanes that have made landfall. Hurricane Laura occurred in late August and made landfall in the Gulf as a Category 4 hurricane. Laura caused severe damage and was reportedly responsible for 16 deaths. The storm was southwestern Louisiana’s first Category 4 hurricane landfall.

The Midwest sees significant damage from a strong Derecho…

In early August, the Midwest had a powerful storm, called a Derecho, that left over a million people without power and caused severe damage to local businesses and homes. The storm brought over 100 mile per hour (mph) winds to Nebraska, Illinois, and Indiana. Farmers in Iowa were hit especially hard as some corn fields were completely flattened and grain bins were torn open.

Fires in the West…

Throughout the month of August, fires have sparked across Arizona, California, Colorado, and Utah. California had the most active fires — with over 32 fires burning at once. At least seven wildfire-related fatalities and approximately 1.7 million acres burned.

Thanks for reading. We’ll see you next month and stay healthy!