Small State Rural

In 2012, Larimer County, Colorado experienced a major wildfire, followed by a major flood in 2013. Many residents were isolated by these events, either through damage to infrastructure or communications systems. These two disasters showed gaps in the county’s emergency capabilities and public safety information outreach.

Mobile homes damaged by the winds and rain of Hurricane Ike in 2008, resulted in new homes for 54 residents of Montgomery County, Texas. Little did they know just how much that hurricane would change their lives.

When communicating life safety and preparedness messaging, cultural differences need to be considered.  In Amish communities, there is a minimalist lifestyle. They do not typically use electricity and don’t adopt or use the conveniences of modern technology. There are many pockets of Amish communities across the country A warning coordination meteorologist and an emergency management director teamed up to initiate a project which has become far reaching beyond the bounds of Eastern Kentucky.

The winds blow hard across the farmlands and small towns of Steele County in southern Minnesota. Along with planting season comes tornado and storm season. The mostly rural county has experienced three presidentially declared disasters in the 1990s.

The tiny hamlet of Gunlock, Utah, is tucked out of the way on an isolated, rural road. To the north are the towns of Veyo and Enterprise. To the south lies the Paiute Reservation called Shivwits, and a little farther down the old highway is the booming City of St. George. Three times in the last 6 years, Gunlock has been cut off from everything because of flooding on the Santa Clara River.