"June 1 is the traditional start of the hurricane season. For 2006, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an 80 percent chance of an above-normal hurricane season—an outlook that calls for 4-5 major hurricanes. The word from NOAA is 'prepare.' And preparation is the byword in the Fifth Circuit, especially in the districts hit hardest by Katrina in 2005—the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana, the Southern District of Mississippi—and in the Eleventh Circuit's Southern District of Alabama and the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida."
The Time Line Series website features recent and historic disaster events and their outcomes. The four timelines include: Terrorism Time Line: Major Focusing Events and U.S. Outcomes (2001-2006); Disaster Time Line: Major Focusing Events and U.S. Outcomes (1979-2006); Century Time Line, 1900-2005; and Disaster Time Line for B.C. and Canada: Major Focusing Events and Outcomes (1917-2007).
"After viewing the destruction wrought by the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washington State in May 1980, President Carter became concerned about the impacts of a similar event of low probability but high damage potential, namely a catastrophic earthquake in California, and the state of readiness to cope with the impacts of such an event.
"As a result of the President's concern, an ad hoc committee of the National Security Council was formed to conduct a government review of the consequences of, and preparation for such an event. In addition to the FEMA, the Committee included representatives from the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the United States Geological Survey of the Dept. of the Interior, the Dept. of Defense, the Dept. of Transportation, and the National Communications System, at the Federal level; State of California agencies and California local governments at the State and local levels; and consultants from the private sector." —Executive Summary.
