After a hurricane strikes the response phase begins. In populated areas
- first responders engage in search and rescue efforts,
- medical personnel provide first aid and care for the injured,
- electrical workers begin to restore power,
- cleanup crews remove contamination and debris, and
- public officials restore order.
In coastal areas
- scientists acquire preliminary estimates of land and wildlife losses and
- workers remove pollutants and detritus.
Once citizens are safe and order is restored the recovery phase begins. Federal, state, and local governments coordinate efforts to return infrastructure, housing, educational and recreational facilities, to normal. Coastal habitat restoration projects begin to re-establish wetlands and their inhabitants.
U.S. Geological Survey's
National
Wetlands
Research
Center
personnel participated in search and rescue operations in southeast
Louisiana
in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Their humanitarian efforts were acknowledged with a 2006 Service to America Medal.
