Colorado Parks & Wildlife Research Library

Parameters that may affect the death rate in a tornado disaster are income level, educational level, accuracy of forecast, communication systems, emergency rescue operation and transportation, medical equipment, community network, and so on.

The coastal impacts from Opal were generally the result of wave action and flooding rather than wind. Much can be learned on how to mitigate future damage from a survey of the damage patterns using a geological perspective.

In a disaster, decisions have to be made regarding where to go, what to do, and how to locate supplies, help clean up, contact and locate family, file insurance claims, and apply for federal aid. Public libraries are uniquely primed to provide important community information and referral services. Libraries are also the primary provider of free computer and Internet access and serve as community anchor institutions, where people can gather informally...