The following case studies examined a large-scale disaster, what occurred, the sequence of events, and the breakdown of emergency response, followed by discussion questions.
Cyclone Nargis, which struck Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta on May 2nd, 2008, remains one of the deadliest disasters of the 21st century. With sustained winds of 130 mph and a 12-foot storm surge that traveled approximately 40 kilometers inland, the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, killed 84,537, left 53,836 missing, injured 19,359, and displaced 2.4 million. This case study examines how systemic governance failures, deliberate suppression of early warnings, and political prioritization of regime security over civilian protection transformed a predictable meteorological event into a humanitarian catastrophe. Through analysis of Myanmar’s militarized response, international aid barriers, and grassroots resilience, this study provides a framework for understanding how institutional instability amplifies disaster risk in authoritarian contexts.
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, caused catastrophic flooding and wind damage in Asheville and the surrounding areas of North Carolina. The storm brought sustained winds of up to 140 mph, storm surges exceeding 12 feet, and record-breaking rainfall that led to widespread flooding. The region was unprepared for the scale of destruction, and the recovery process was significantly complicated by disinformation circulating on social media. This case study examines the role of disinformation in the recovery, highlights FEMA’s efforts to combat misinformation, and assesses the long-term impacts on Asheville’s communities.
The Camp Fire was lit by electrical sparks on November 8, 2018, and devastated the town of Paradise, California, destroying 90% of homes and displacing tens of thousands of residents. Despite being designated a “Community at Risk” and implementing preparedness measures, the town faced catastrophic losses due to systemic vulnerabilities, including limited evacuation routes, aging infrastructure, and failing early warning systems. The fire claimed 85 lives, most of whom were elderly or disabled, and caused $16.5 billion in damage. Recovery efforts, led by FEMA and state agencies, included technical assistance, housing programs, and the Building Resiliency Center, which facilitated rebuilding with enhanced safety standards. However, survivors faced significant barriers, including delayed insurance payouts, rising premiums, and insufficient financing. Long-term challenges, such as unaffordable housing and displaced communities, have persisted, with only 40% of residents returning by 2025.
Princeville, North Carolina, the first U.S. town chartered by formerly enslaved people, faces an existential challenge due to flooding. The town has suffered multiple major hurricanes, with Hurricane Floyd (1999) and Hurricane Matthew (2016) causing particularly severe destruction. Following these disasters, residents and officials have debated whether to rebuild in place or relocate to higher ground. Bureaucratic delays, economic instability, and conflicting priorities between historical preservation and managed retreat have delayed recovery efforts. Despite recent federal and state funding approvals for relocation and flood mitigation projects, many adaptation projects remain incomplete, and Princeville’s future remains uncertain.
The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season exposed catastrophic vulnerabilities in Puerto Rico’s energy infrastructure, governance systems, and disaster preparedness framework. This case study examines how a convergence of economic collapse, aging infrastructure, and climate shocks created the longest blackout in U.S. history (328 days until the last affected neighborhood had power restored). At the same time, subsequent earthquakes and cyclones revealed persistent systemic failures. With approximately $55 billion in FEMA funds allocated, but only $24.5 billion spent by 2025, the island’s struggle exemplifies the challenges of rebuilding colonial-era systems under 21st-century climate pressures.
