Hurricane Ike Essay

Hurricane Ike is an immense and highly damaging tropical cyclone that struck portions of the Northern America and Greater Antilles in 2008. Its adverse effects were enormous to the extent that victims are experiencing unhealed wounds almost six years since it struck them. Several lives were lost, and a lot of financial losses occurred from destructions the hurricane storm surge caused in the region of Houston-Galveston. Despite this, it brought to the attention the number of elements that were missing which led to bad losses. If such elements were in place, the losses could have been mitigated.The following are factors that could have assisted in preparing and responding to Hurricane Ike.
Construction of an Ike dike system: This refers to a massive levee system built to protect the bay of Galveston. It has got the effects of preventing or mitigating the potential effects of the destructive storm that hit the area. Were it in place, the hurricane effects could have been lesser. Secondly, having in place an effective Department of Health and Human Services: After the storm, many deaths resulted due to starvation. The storm left no food. If this department were a hundred percent effective, deaths resulting from starvation would have been prevented. The area government should ensure an efficient management of that category.
Supply of public information: Certain areas of Houston lacked access to public information regarding low-lying areas and how to prepare for longer-term recovery following a storm emergency. If the state and local government had ensured easy access of such information by the people of the region, the recovery process could have been easier. The fourth element has a good communication system: If the region had vast and good communication system to access the service agency, many lives could have been saved. The process seemed slow since the amount of information regarding the location of victims was inefficient.
Flood-alert systems should have storm-surge data: If this were the case, advanced warnings regarding the impending floods could have been made available. Galveston bay communities could have made attempts of fleeing the area before being victimized by the storm. The rescue team could have also responded a bit earlier hence some other deaths which resulted from late response could have been avoided. Construction of substantial buildings with strong windows and doors: Many buildings were swept away by the storm because of their weak structures. Falling buildings caused increased deaths since they hit human beings causing instant deaths. If the people around the Galveston bay had stable buildings, some lives could not have been lost.
Last but not least is having an efficient debris removal body: This kind of body could have helped in the rejuvenation process of the affected part of the country. This could have helped in the immediate recovery from the hurricane.
If the above elements had been implemented in advance, the potential effects that resulted from Hurricane Ike could have been lesser.