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Fargo Flood 2009: Rising River – Falling Snow

Fargo Flood 2009: Rising River – Falling Snow. Ruth Bachmeier, MS, RN John R. Baird, MD, MPH Doug Murphy, MBA, BMS Fargo Cass Public Health Fargo, North Dakota. Objectives. Identify role of local public health during a major flood

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Fargo Flood 2009: Rising River – Falling Snow

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  1. Fargo Flood 2009:Rising River – Falling Snow Ruth Bachmeier, MS, RNJohn R. Baird, MD, MPHDoug Murphy, MBA, BMS Fargo Cass Public Health Fargo, North Dakota

  2. Objectives • Identify role of local public health during a major flood • Recognize importance of collaboration and cooperation during a major flood disaster • Evaluate the risk/benefits and decision making involved in evacuation of vulnerable populations

  3. Red River at Fargo, ND • River flows north • Very flat land • Wet autumn • Record snow fall • Flood stage: 18 ft • Major flood stage: 30 ft • Record flood of 1997: 39.57 ft • March 28: crested at 40.82 ft FEMA photo

  4. Role of Fargo Cass Public Health Historically • Tetanus shots • Post flood environmental concerns • Minimal EOC 2009 • Limited Tetanus shots • Pre-post environmental concerns • Full EOC involvement • Evacuation of vulnerable populations • Shelter coordination and staffing • Sandbag supervision • PIO backup Fargo Cass photo

  5. Emergency Operations • Director of public health: city cabinet meets weekly • Weekly flood meetings : first part of March • EOC activation: city and county • Public health in both EOCs • Twice daily flood briefings Bob Collins Photo Minnesota Public Radio/mpr.org

  6. Collaborating Partners Local hospitals, long-term care facilities, congregate living sites for vulnerable populations North Dakota Long Term Care Association North Dakota Department of Health North Dakota Department of Human Services FM Ambulance and transportation providers

  7. Click on the down arrow if you can’t see the response choices. Poll 1 My jurisdiction has distinct geographic characteristics which should be taken into consideration in our PH emergency planning. A Strongly Agree B Agree C Disagree D Strongly Disagree

  8. Speed of River’s Rise

  9. Crest Predictions

  10. Click on the down arrow if you can’t see the response choices. Poll 2 Health facilities and facilities housing vulnerable populations in our jurisdiction have role and staff specific, up-to-date emergency plans in place, and have exercised those plans including mandatory or advised evacuation procedures. A Strongly Agree B Agree C Disagree D Strongly Disagree

  11. Evacuation Planning • Conflict between protecting city and evacuation • “Evacuation is not an option” • Plan for vulnerable populations • Frequent partner meetings • Teleconference • Interactive video network FEMA photos

  12. Timeline: Monday – Saturday 3/23 3/24 3/25 3/26 3/27 3/28 Met with healthcare facilities Secured shelter sites Evacuated 2500 hospital, long term care and other vulnerable population facilities 2nd crest • Coordinated evacuation plans with nursing homes and group homes • Formalized evacuation plans for four facilities • Transportation arranged • More EMS resources requested through EOC

  13. Transportation • Coordination vital • Limited resources in high demand • School buses, facility buses, planes, private companies, ambulance • Staff assist on evacuation vehicles • Federal transportation/evacuation team arrived shortly after mission over • Bus seat configuration Daniel Reetz photo

  14. Click on the down arrow if you can’t see the response choices. Poll 3 In our jurisdiction, we have a clear understanding of Red Cross services and terminology and what our role would be in partnering to set up an emergency shelter in the event of an evacuation. A Strongly Agree B Agree C Disagree D Strongly Disagree

  15. Shelters • Primary site unavailable: affected by flooding • Shelters placed in small community 20 miles west of Fargo • Two churches, two public schools • Lots of resources, Red Cross, DMAT: not always clear who was in charge • Resources missing for provision of basic cares

  16. Blizzard Fargo Forum photos

  17. Details • Tracking people • Lists • Spreadsheets • Transport hotline • Single point dispatch

  18. Repatriation: Second Crest • Shelters for other community’s evacuees • Engineering assessments • Potential second evacuation risk • Transporting stretcher patients delay • Fewer buses available Fargo Forum photo

  19. Lessons Learned • Staff deep enough and soon enough (sleep is a good thing) • Incident command system works for a public health emergency • Communication: internal / external need improvement • Wording of evacuation order: voluntary versus mandatory important • Specific flood vulnerability assessments important for each facility

  20. More Lessons Learned • PH not an expert on transportation (but we are now) • Patient identification: triage tags • Definition of shelters forspecial populations • Facilities evacuating to “sister” facilities worked well FEMA Photo

  21. Resources • Fargo flood Web site www.ndsu.nodak.edu/fargoflood • USGS http://nd.water.usgs.gov/floodtracking/charts • Fargo Forum www.in-forum.com/ • Fargo Cass Public Health www.cityoffargo.com/CityInfo/Departments/Health/

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