Scientists in the Wake of the Hurricanes

• Published in: American scientist Vol. 106; no. 2; pp. 69 - 72
• Main Author: Burke, Katie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Research Triangle Park Sigma XI-The Scientific Research Society 01-03-2018
• Subjects: Canals; Communities; Disaster relief; Disasters; Elections; Funding; Hurricanes; Infrastructure; Insurance policies; Islands; Power; Power supplies; Proposals; Researchers; Scientists; Storm damage; United States > US; Puerto Rico
• ISSN: 0003-0996; 1545-2786
• DOI: 10.1511/2018.106.2.69

Burke cites that after a devastating storm season, researchers are seeking better ways to rebuild and to support their most vulnerable colleagues. Scientists have been caught up in the same infrastructure breakdowns that have affected everyone else in Puerto Rico. But restoring science is crucial for the recovery process and will help other communities in need. The lessons in Puerto Rico apply to other science communities hit hard during last year's intense hurricane season. It was the most expensive disaster year on record. Three hurricanes (Harvey, Irma, and Maria) occurring within a month of one another joined the list of the United States' five most costly hurricanes, revealing that Americans are remarkably vulnerable. Scientists are no exception. The scientific community has poured out support for researchers in the wakes of these hurricanes--offering their lab spaces to displaced graduate students, or donating scientific equipment and power supplies. It is apparent that institutional and federal disaster responses need to be reevaluated and that resources need to be allocated for researchers in the event that federal funding falls short. Researchers in the US could also consider how they might advocate for people among them who cannot vote in all national elections.