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The article discusses rebuilding in the Tōhoku region of Japan following damage from the March 2011 Great East Earthquake and tsunami. The author discusses plans from architects, engineers, and urban planners for the reconstruction process, including plans to build safer houses. Specific topics include the difficulty of obtaining building materials in Japan, the Japanese government's financing of the reconstruction, and the difficulty of rebuilding damaged towns.

A news brief is presented which details the effects of the fall 2012 tropical storm named Hurricane Sandy on libraries in New York and New Jersey. The article notes that while libraries in Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx, New York, were not subject to significant structural damage, they did sustain power loss, and libraries in Queens and Long Island, New York, as well as across the state of New Jersey, faced serious damage.

This article discusses disaster recovery and the importance of preparation. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Potential Scale has classified hurricanes into five categories based on central pressure and sustained wind speed. The author contends that this system is misleading because the most lethal aspect of storms is not the winds but the storm surge and inland flooding. In small cities and towns with central utilities, the people who do not evacuate expect that their utilities will be promptly restored as will their water supply. Combating this issue is difficult without the removal of individual water meter systems and subsequent re-installation, which is costly and time consuming.

The article focuses on the use of insulating concrete forms (ICF) in concrete construction. Traditional concrete contractors have found ICFs suitable for use in homes and buildings because it requires less equipment and workers. Buildings with ICFs can stand up to high winds, hurricanes and seismic forces. Customers seeking to construct green buildings also benefit from these stay-in-place forms, which cause structure to require 44% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool.

The article presents the effects of natural disaster on buildings. It also reports on how can the buildings be float when the water rises. According to the author, the positive and negative interpretations of flood risk and the effect of human action in either causing or remedying, the problem indicate different views on urbanism and the task of overcoming natural risks. Many urban design students in British colleges today seem to be designing for climate change. Houseboats have existed for centuries, but the new generation of floating architecture is permanently moored. The Japanese Technological Research Association of MegaFloat has been using its investigation of MegaFloat Technology to float very large structures to deal with the potential problems of a lack of habitable land, frequent earthquakes or the need for more space for buildings.

The article looks at how the first public library funded by Andrew Carnegie remains closed after a bolt of lightning struck and demolished the building's granite clock tower. The Allegheny Regional branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh was closed at the time. According to library spokesperson Suzanne Thinnes, a large piece of the tower crashed through the roof into the boiler room and destroyed the library's HVAC systems.

The article reports on the enactment of the International Building Code (IBC) in Louisiana in 2006. The 11 parishes that were damaged by the storms had 30 days to start applying the code. According to industry experts, the adoption of the code will increase insurance payouts and repair costs. Ronnie Kyle, president of the Louisiana Homebuilders Association, comments on the impact of the IBC on parishers without existing code.

This article reports on the condition of Florida libraries following the merciless hurricane season of 2004. Florida's public libraries and librarians fortunately survived the latest round of hurricanes that battered the state. Florida State Librarian Judy Ring said that libraries overall are "doing pretty good." Despite taking big hits, all libraries were still standing, Ring said, although there was scattered damage. Some libraries faced flooding in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, as rivers and waterways were swollen to overflowing. Ring said that libraries "assumed many roles" during the crisis, including serving as day care centers for the children of county employees involved in cleanup and rescue efforts.

The author reflects on the article "Churches Shelve Theology for Disaster Relief Efforts" in the Tennessee newspaper, which reports the 2010 flood. He disproves of strong theological themes being absent. He addresses the efforts of church members who volunteer for rebuilding after natural disasters like tornado in Moore, Oklahoma on May 20, 2013. He also informs that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) provides emergency medical care along with the harrowing process of clean up.

An illustration by Asaf Hanuka of architects providing aid after a natural disaster is presented.

The article discusses considerations needed to be taken when designing a fire station as they relate to severe weather and natural disasters. Depending on the community and location it serves, a fire station should be able to serve as a command center, emergency center, and training facility. According to the author, construction types which have varying resistance to severe weather should also be looked into. The choice for portable or permanent emergency power should also be considered.

A tornado that swept through two Canadian towns has left injuries and property damage in its wake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on how Raymond Cuevas found the missing safe of American Legion Post 77 after the area was hit by Hurricane Katrina. It cites that after the destruction of Post 77 building due to the hurricane, Cuevas, who was the post commander, spotted the safe containing 6,000 dollars at a tree line about 100 yards behind the former site of the post. Furthermore, it states that Cuevas spent weeks washing off the mud from the recovered cash which came from Post 77's bingo game profits.

The article discusses the condition of several schools in Mississippi three years after their buildings were damaged by Hurricane Katrina way back in 2005. Accordingly, out of 18 schools in six counties, five of them were destroyed and six were heavily damaged. To recover from the catastrophe, these schools have been in haste to rebuild and repair their facilities. School managements have also been working to boost their enrolment numbers as well as recruit and retain teachers and faculty staff.

The article presents questions and answers about the protection of houses from natural disasters including how to insulate and make them eco-friendly and cost-effective, which coating should be applied on doors and windows, and what should be put on floor-boards in bathrooms.

The article focuses on the damages caused by the tornado in Atlanta, Georgia on March 14, 2008, and the recovery process being instituted. It states that the disaster has managed to bring Atlanta together in this time of crisis. The tornado tore into many high-rise buildings and uprooted almost ninety-eight trees. The insurance adjusters have not been able to quote a final bill for property damage, but the city has begun the full recovery process, trying to bring everything back to normal.

The article focuses on the possible demolition of the Orleans Parish School Board's (OPSB) buildings after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. Several buildings are damaged by the storm and there is a possibility that these structures will be demolished. However, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there are about 10 schools which have surpassed their assessment. Moreover, there are several schools that will be demolished for reconstruction.

The article reports that the Louisiana Recovery Authority has approved a plan to give private schools, colleges, and universities access to U.S. federal aid for repairs to damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The plan is expected to be approved by the state legislature, the governor, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The article focuses on the expectations of the college students for improvements in New Orleans, Louisiana after the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Senior college student, Carolyn Brown, is disappointed to find that only little progress had been made since the hurricane struck the city. Many students are still shock to find that in their return the city's former eateries, retail shops, and shopping centers still remain closed.

The article reports on the delay of the demolition of the homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The president of Plaquemines Parish, Benny Rousselle expressed dismay in waiting for the Army Corps of Engineers to begin the demolition of the damaged homes. Accordingly, the Corps spokesman Bob Anderson has blamed the delay on the Plaquemines Parish government, for not completing necessary paperwork for the demolitions to begin.

The article reports on the reopening of schools and re-employment of teachers who were displaced by hurricane Katrina and Rita in the U.S. Many districts have been waiting for financial aid from either state or federal government. Most of the displaced teachers had the possibility of losing their health insurance benefits.

The article reports on the lack of school revenues as the disastrous hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast. Local tax projections are still hard to achieve as several states recover. There's short-term borrowing to cover lost revenue and expediting insurance claims. Many residents were forced to evacuate that still generate sales taxes for the states.

Presents the findings of a research on the cause of the collapse of several school buildings in Bingöl, Turkey during an earthquake in 2003, conducted by the Purdue University in Indiana, the University of Kansas and Wiss Janney Elstner Associates Inc. and sponsored by the National Science Foundation and by the Turkish organization Tubitak. Lack of reinforced-concrete structural walls in schools in Bingöl; Factors that led to the collapse of the outer columns of the buildings; Significance of the research.

Presents a story of one paramedic's experience with the rescue of a mother and her child from a building which collapsed from the earthquake in Pakistan on Oct. 8. How Clare Langshaw from Gloucester, England and a member of a rapid-response rescue team helped people buried for more than two days; The mother's tapping which helped rescuers to locate her.

Reports on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the storm that hit Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana on August 29, 2005. Damage caused by the winds brought by the storm to buildings; Expected recovery from the storm; Cost of the damage due to the storm.

Relates the experiences of several owners of hardware stores in Florida on their efforts to rebuild their stores that were damaged by the four hurricanes that hit the state in 2004. Names of the hurricanes that hit the state in 2004;Relevance of the Vision 21 program of Ace Hardware Corp. in the reconstruction of the store of Ed Strutman; Action taken by Bill Zeithammer, the owner of Isles Do it Best Hardware store, in continuing its business operations after the hurricane brought down its store.

Presents a chart detailing how Hurricane Katrina impacted the sporting world on the Gulf Coast of the United States. Review of how sports dollars have been an essential to the tourist-driven economy; Move to San Antonio, Texas by the New Orleans Saints football team; Move to Houston, Texas by the New Orleans Hornets basketball team; Damaged sporting facilities in the city; Discussion of the storms impact on high school and college athletics.

Investigates the reason for the collapse of the Turner Agri-Civic Center, an American Red Cross-designated shelter in Arcadia, Florida, after it was hit by a hurricane. Design of the building as a hurricane shelter that could withstand 140-mph winds; Lack of key documents documenting the construction of the building; Claims that the county commissioners designated the job of overseeing the construction project to the county administrator despite his lack of construction or engineering experience.

The article offers suggestions for improving preparedness of hotels for natural disasters. It states significance of the natural disaster safety measures in protecting asset and investment of hotel owners, and mentions need of a design plan that minimizes damage when disaster strikes while building hotel properties. It notes several phases of pre-storm preparation in hotels, and cites comments from Kevin Carl digital marketing and technology firm Accenture Digital Travel regarding the same.

The article presents information on the damage to property in Jammu and Kashmir, India caused by the earthquake on October 26, 2015, epicentered in Afghanistan. Government and private owned buildings in cities including Badgam, Anantnag, Baramulla were damaged and people ran out into the open during the quake. Traffic was reported to be halted and people refused to enter buildings for fear of aftershocks. The quake is mentioned to have measured 7.5 on the Richter Scale.

The article reports on the Tropical Cyclone Pam that hit Vanuatu on March 17, 2015. Topics discussed include devastation caused by Pam, views of Vanuatu's President Baldwin Lonsdale on the cyclone, destruction of hospitals, schools and homes in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Also offered are views of Paolo Malatu, coordinator for National Disaster Management Office of Vanuatu, on impact of cyclone and people of Vanuatu being without power and phone connections post Pam.

Reports December 15, 1999 flash floods and mudslides in the mountain range between Caracas, Venezuela, and the Caribbean coast. Death toll; Houses destroyed and number of people made homeless; Impact on the province of Vargas; Economic damage at a time of recession; Impact on the airport; Jobs lost; Political implications for President Hugo Chavez; Government plans to resettle homeless in agricultural communities.

Presents some of the most infamous disasters involving high-rise buildings or skyscrapers. Includes the lightning strike at the Campanile di San Marco in Venice, Italy; Late 1970's windstorm that struck the John Hancock Tower; Tornado in Lubbock, Texas in 1971; Terrorist bombing of New York City's World Trade Center; Bomber plane's crash into Empire State Building in New York City in 1945.

The author talks about the Utah structural engineering profession's struggle to bring about public awareness on the importance of building resilience to mitigate the impact of environmental or natural disasters, citing Christchurch, New Zealand as a major city in an earthquake prone area.

An opinion piece is presented in which the author argues that the concept of resiliency, as it relates to architecture, is not a fad that will go away. Topics discussed include the increase in natural disasters, the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) history of responding to such disasters, and the role of architecture in preventing the damage caused by natural disasters.

An image is presented of Michael Stanek, a resident of Vilonia, Arkansas, helping his daughter and friends sort through the rubble after intense winds destroyed much of the town on April 27, 2014.

The article reports on a May 2014 tornado that struck Vilonia, Arkansas and destroyed a new school building that was set to open in the fall of 2014.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses the need for architects to concentrate on designing resilient systems in the context of possible natural disasters.

The article discusses business recovery of hotels in Puerto Rico following the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Topics explored include the hotel occupancy rate following the hurricanes, the continuous business operations of some hotels despite property damage caused by the natural disaster, and the economic outlook for the hospitality industry in Puerto Rico.

The article discusses business recovery of hotels in Houston, Texas following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. Topics explored include the hotel occupancy in the region acknowledged by CBRE Hotels director Jeff Binford, the impact of the hurricane on hotel development projects in Houston, and the economic outlook for the hospitality industry in Houston.

The article discusses the business impact of the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017 on hotels in Florida. Topics explored include the devastation brought by the hurricane to the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, the closure of the Inn on 5th's main building prior to the storm, and the recorded increase in visitation in Florida in the first quarter of 2018 according to Florida Governor Rick Scott.

An interview with inspector Carl Simmons is presented. Simmons explained his efforts to improve the relationship between builders and inspectors. He discussed how he responds to builders who argue that building code enforcement is only a way to create municipal revenue. Simmons also explained the role of code in mitigating the effects of natural disasters.

The article discusses National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) "Community Resilience Planning Guide for Buildings and Infrastructure Systems" that offers six steps to implement resilience, by federal technology, developed under the Community Resilience Program.