By using the Nathan World Map of Natural Hazards, I was able to identify Philadelphia’s vulnerability to natural hazards. The vulnerability to natural hazards in any area is determined by the various trends over time that result as a consequence of both natural and human systems. Philadelphia is in Zone 0 in terms of earthquake potential. Fortunately, Pennsylvania is not located near tectonic plate boundaries, so its risk for earthquakes is almost obsolete. Philadelphia falls right in between the threat for sea level rise and the threat of heavy rainfall. Philadelphia falls between zones 1 and 2, which is low, in terms of frequency and intensity of hailstorms. Philadelphia is, however, at risk of experiencing winter storms as well as tornados (zone 2). As mentioned in the module, Philadelphia does experience the realm of seasons, but it is generally a safe location in terms of vulnerability to natural hazards. The Nathan Map provides an in-depth look at a city’s vulnerability to any number of natural hazards; however, the map is outdated as it is from 2011.

On March 13^th, 2016, Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia experienced a biological hazard. The biohazard level was ranked a 4 out of 4 as viruses and bacteria lead to a fatal disease that spread to patients at the hospital. The patients that contracted the disease experienced Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, bird flu, Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Unfortunately, treatments and vaccines for these diseases are not available. This outbreak is suspected to have been caused by a single person infected with the Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever. Since one infected person caused the outbreak, the same thing could happen anywhere as long as the virus and bacteria are both present. A Hospital-Acquired Infection (HAI) may be spread to any susceptible patient by a number of means. Any hospital staff member can spread the infection, as well as contaminated equipment or bed linens, and especially air droplets. The CDC estimates that hospital acquired infections, from all types of bacteria, are responsible or aid in 99,000 deaths each year across the United States. The population size of Atlanta in 2013 was 447,841, which is just under a third of Philadelphia’s population in 2013, which was 1.553 million. Although the two factors have not been proven directly linked, a larger population size has a greater chance of acquiring the virus and bacteria, therefore a greater chance of the same biological hazard occurring. Different people in the city of Philadelphia will have different levels of vulnerability based on their day-to-day interactions. Those who spend more time in a hospital or clinical setting are at a greater risk of dealing with people that have a compromised immune system and are likely to spread the virus or bacteria. Human factors such as wealth and education may also affect vulnerability. In terms of wealth, living conditions and health maintenance both greatly impact the functionality of one’s immune system. In addition, education impacts vulnerability as a means of learning how to avoid such biological hazards. A literate population has most likely learned of HAI’s and the dangers associated with them, whereas a strongly illiterate population is unaware.

In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy killed 131 Americans, left upwards of 6 million without power, and resulted in about $50 billion worth of damages (1). Hurricane Sandy mainly affected coastal Jersey Shore towns, however; some New York areas experienced flooding, property damage, and power outages (1). Fortunately, the neighboring Greater Philadelphia area experienced wind, rain, and some power outages, but not nearly as much damage, flooding or death. Although the city of Philadelphia was spared in 2012, its risk is expected to grow as a result of climate change (1). With the rising sea levels each year, Philadelphia has a greater risk of experiencing harsh natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy, but this time, it may not be so lucky.

In order to reduce the city of Philadelphia’s vulnerability to natural hazards, changes must be implemented. Without a doubt, pre-event preparations and emergency response teams must have their operations in order to run smoothly prior to the extreme weather situation. In dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, there was talk of “learning a lesson” in order to prevent this from happening again. Unfortunately though, as prevention expert Dr. Scott Knowles states, “The changes necessary to protect ourselves from the worst effects of such storms are not easy ones to make, even if we all agreed on the priorities” (1). In an effort to prevent this from happening again, city planners and disaster response agencies must get involved, especially from a civil engineering perspective. Risk management is also to be improved through increased planning, engineering and policy implementation. Undoubtedly, it will require the time and effort of many to prepare Philadelphia for the extreme weather that results as a consequence of global climate change.

Work Cited

(1) https://newsblog.drexel.edu/2013/02/20/learning-from-sandy-is-philadelphia-prepared-for-the-next-natural-disaster/