Hurricane Ike Impact Report released

Thursday January 22, 2009

Last year Hurricane Ike devastated the upper Texas Gulf Coast. Hurricane Ike killed hundreds of people and left tens of thousands homeless, placing overwhelming strains on individuals and communities.

In the wake of Hurricane Ike, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released a comprehensive ‘Impact Report’ as a tool that can inform and guide long-term community recovery efforts. The report discusses the impacts of Hurricane Ike across the social, built, economic and natural environments and discusses how the recovery process will take place.

The report details the built areas impacted by Hurricane Ike with *approximately .4 billion in total housing damage. Of those losses, an average of 27% of wind damages were uninsured, and an average of 61% of flooding damages were uninsured.*

Hurricane Ike has seriously impacted the quality of life for many individuals and families, who now need to make the decision regarding whether to rebuild or not, and if so, how.

The Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group is encouraging Aucklanders to insure their homes and businesses so that the potential recovery from an event is achievable.

Councillor Derek Battersby, Chair of the Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, says if you are not insured, now is the time to do so.

“Many Aucklanders are in the same position as the families affected by Hurricane Ike. The report highlights the necessity of insuring your home and business from disasters so you and your family can recover from an event and move on. We need to be prepared at all times and this is one of the many ways to get better prepared,” Councillor Battersby said.

Auckland is vulnerable to a wide range of natural events including extreme weather, volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, landslides, and wildfires. The region is also vulnerable to technical hazards such as loss of power or telecommunications.

To download the full report please visit: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=47276

* Extract directly from report