CDC Zombie Novella
Halloween may have come and gone, but zombies are forever. You know you love the walking dead, and so does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—which is why it's leveraging zombie mania for pandemic prevention. The graphic novella, Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic, follows Todd, Julie, and their dog Max as an encroaching pandemic zombifies their friends and neighbors. Along the way, they learn a lot about dealing with disease, and so will you.
National Levee Database
With many of the nation's levees aging and in disrepair, you'll want to keep an eye on those in your neighborhood. Now you can, thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which recently made its National Levee Database accessible to the public. The database lists most of the levees in the USACE program and is working to include the many others outside the program. Levee reports, construction and maintenance data, and real-time storm gauge and weather radar information are among the many details that can be accessed for each levee.
My Hazards
Think California hazards and chances are you think earthquake. In actuality, there are plenty of more prevalent hazards to be had in the Golden State. Now residents will know just which ones lurk in their neighborhoods, thanks to the California Emergency Management Agency’s My Hazards website. Californians can enter their address and instantly learn what risk they run of encountering flood, fire, tsunami, and yes, even earthquakes. Each report gives users a checklist with recommended disaster mitigation actions for the hazards they face.
The Network for Public Health Law
The Network for Public Health Law works to connect members of the public health community with each other to improve public health. This revamped site should make it easier for members to find the help they need with training, technical assistance, and relationship building. The network, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, doesn’t give legal advice, but can help individuals navigate the maze of public health regulations and resources.
A Review of the 2011 Floods and the Condition of the Nation’s Flood Control Systems
On October 18, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works heard testimony from a bevy of the nation’s top flood experts regarding the historic 2011 flooding and the challenges posed in managing U.S. floods. For those that missed the live hearing, this website collects the written testimonies and webcast from the event.
Earth Learning Idea’s Natural Hazard Activities
Visit any elementary science fair and you’re sure to find a few homemade volcanoes and maybe a tornado or two in a bottle. That’s because kids love to model disasters. Whether you’re a fourth-grade science teacher or a kid at heart, this website is a trove of information on how to do everything from making quicksand to building a dam break. With pictures, videos, and step-by-step how-tos, you’ll be generating mini-Krakatoas in no time.