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IN THE NEWS: IRE and NICAR offer data, stories and tipsheets to help cover the latest
(Updated Aug. 16, 2007)
Other resources for covering the news
Earthquakes
Internet Resources
Databases
To order data, call the Database Library at 573-884-7711 or download an order form.
Federal assistance
After every disaster, the federal government
provides assistance money. In a given fiscal year, that amounts to millions. With this database you will be able to
track federal assistance -- grants, loans or insurance -- and see where and how much money the government is obligating
to organizations and projects.
SBA disaster loans
The Small Business Administration is a big player in assisting the owners of homes and businesses after a declared disaster. The data include loans since 1980 and are current through September 2002. It includes information on loans given in connection to prior earthquakes, including the 1994 Northridge and the 1989 San Francisco quakes. The database includes such information as the individuals' name or company name, the mailing address, a code for the type of disaster that occurred, the date the disaster loan was approved for an SBA guarantee, the amount of the loan, and, for businesses, whether the loan was fully paid or charged off (went bad). The main table contains more than 750,000 records.
National Bridge Inventory
The National Bridge Inventory database can help a journalist identify potentially problem bridges that might be especially prone to earthquake damage. This dataset includes structural evaluations and information for bridges throughout the United States. The inspection reports include important criteria necessary for evaluating the condition of bridges as well as specific details relating to the location, age and ownership or each bridge. (See more bridge safety resources.)
Tipsheets
Search for tipsheets in IRE's Resource Center.
To order tipsheets from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail to rescntr@ire.org or call us at 573-882-3364.
Tipsheet #2286
Wendy Shindle of the USGS shows journalists tips and tools they can use to help their readers and viewers better understand earthquakes, from Did You Feel It maps to USGS ShakeMaps.
Tipsheet #2284
John Maines has suggestions and resources for reporters covering emergency situations, from the Federal Emergency Managment Agency, to private companies who provide images of destruction for free.
Tipsheet #2235
In "After the storm: Using FEMA records to piece together winners & losers," Gilbert M. Gaul of The Washington Post outlines approaches to analyzing Federal Emergency Management Administration records. Tips include tracking how, where and to whom FEMA dollars are allocated following a disaster, whether National Flood Insurance Program premiums are covering expenses, and who receives Small Business Administration loans following a disaster. (2004 IRE Annual Conference)
Tipsheet #580
This handout lists several earthquake resources. The list provides both phone numbers and addresses as well as a short listing of some of the materials available from each organization. Also included is a list of earthquake publications.
Tipsheet #586
This handout provides reporters with some of Josh Meyer's (Los Angeles Times) experiences with covering disasters, and tips for improving disaster coverage. Also included is a list of earthquake experts (including phone numbers) and a memo on covering disasters.
Tipsheet #244
"Covering the Aftermath of a Disaster" makes suggestions for disaster-coverage, particularly focusing on preparedness; tips are listed under the following categories: Preparing for disaster -- the basics, a place to work, communications, other equipment, transportation, assignments and a final word.
Tipsheet #773
Nora Paul provides tips on how to find facts and cultivate sources on the Internet when covering a disaster.
Tipsheet #1232
Bob Williams, of The News & Observer, offers a top ten list of disaster Web sites.
Stories
Search for stories in IRE's Resource Center.
To order stories from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail to rescntr@ire.org or call us at 573-882-3364.
Story #18555
Gil Davis, of the Center for Investigative Reporting, reveals that "thousands of steel-framed buildings ... could collapse in a major earthquake." The findings are based on what "building officials and structural engineers discovered ... as they inspected hundreds of steel framed structures following the January 1994 earthquake that took place in Northridge, California. Eight years later, still very few buildings in earthquake-prone areas have been strengthened to resists massive seismic events in the future, the story reports.
Story #12775
KQED-FM investigates how dangerous common types of buildings in the San Francisco Bay area may be in the statistically likely event of a major earthquake on a fault underlying a densely populated urban area. KQED found that unremedied building deficiencies pose serious risks both to human life and economic investment.
Story #19930
An investigation by KGO-San Francisco revealed that "the emergency water supply for San Francisco's fire hydrants was in critical condition. If the water stopped flowing to the hydrants during a disaster such as an earthquake or firestorm, the engines that power the back-up system would blow up. There are two pumping stations in the city that, in an emergency, would draw water out of San Francisco Bay to send to the fire crews. But, the engineer in charge of the stations was failing to maintain the engines. He hadn't changed the oil in more than ten years on the job..."
Story #13505
The Sciences investigates Japan's billion-dollar earthquake prediction system. While the system is one of the most high-tech and expensive one's in the world, it may be a disaster in the making. The earthquake prediction system does not cover many areas with active faults beneath them and instead lulls people in unprotected areas into a false sense of security.
Story #9912
The Los Angeles Times discloses that numerous segments of subway tunnels in earthquake-sensitive Los Angeles were built with concrete thinner than designed, raising serious questions about the quality of subway construction and inspection.
Story #6677
The San Francisco Bay Guardian reports that budget cuts left the city grossly unprepared for the October 1989 earthquake; found the fire department's response inadequate.
Story #1035
The Dallas Morning News investigates the collapse of a Mexico City apartment complex in the September 1985 earthquake; finds the government had ignored reports prior to the disaster that the foundations were crumbling and unstable.
Story #7038
The San Francisco Bay Guardian examines the Federal Emergency Management Act and finds that FEMA's preoccupation with preparing for nuclear war and thwarting civil insurrection hinder its ability to respond to emergencies like San Francisco's 1989 earthquake.
Story #3168
A KQED-San Francisco report examines the Concord Naval Weapons Station, a wildlife preserve 35 miles east of the city that houses an extensive arsenal of nuclear weapons; report concludes that poor planning resulted in locating the site near an earthquake fault and airport without any evacuation plans for the nearby city's residents.
Story #10416
American Prospect describes how spending to rebuild after disasters has exactly the same economic effect as economic stimulus packages meant to jump-start the economy; shows how politicians who decried the latter as pork barrel politics and unworkable later took credit when the former had exactly the same results that they denied would follow; focuses on the L.A. earthquake in 1994 but mentions other disasters as well.
Story #16808
Dianna Hunt and Jennifer Autrey of the Fort Worth Star Telegram found out who got federal assistance and how much they received when President Clinton issued a disaster declaration after tornadoes struck Fort Worth and destroyed many properties.
IRE Publications
The Investigative Reporter's Handbook, Brant Houston's Computer-Assisted Reporting book and other helpful publications are available from IRE and NICAR.
IRE members can search the indexes of The IRE
Journal and Uplink. Back issues of The IRE Journal and Uplink may be purchased for $10 each. There is
an additional $10 user fee for nonmembers. Check with the Resource Center at 573-882-3364 or
rescntr@ire.org for availability.
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For more information, contact:
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Jeff Porter
Database Library Director
IRE and NICAR
E-mail: jeff@ire.org
Voice: 573-882-1982
Fax: 573-882-5431 |
Beth Kopine
Research Director
IRE Resource Center
E-mail: beth@ire.org
Voice: 573-882-6668
Fax: 573-884-8151 |
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