Water, Water Everywhere

Water: It’s essential to life, but it can also cause devastation during severe weather.  Brooke Gunderson, BSN, RN recounts the overwhelming flooding and infrastructure failure that she experienced as an emergency room nurse during Hurricane Helene in Boone, North Carolina.  The extreme conditions, which included the loss of power and water, forced families and the health care providers to improvise just to meet basic needs.  In the aftermath, the experience reshaped her perspective on preparedness, resilience, and the importance of community during disasters. Brooke Gunderson, BSN, RN is an emergency room nurse, mother of two daughters, and wife to a Sports Medicine physician. She now lives in Cookeville, Tennessee after recently relocating from Boone, North Carolina, where she witnessed the impact of Hurricane Helene as it moved through the Appalachian community. Related ResourcesHurricane Season is ComingHurricane season poses significant risks to children, families and healthcare systems. Explore curated resources to help clinicians, caregivers and communities prepare, respond and recover effectively. The Disaster Medicine Handbook: A Quick Reference This guide supports hurricane readiness by breaking down core disaster response concepts (preparedness, surge capacity, triage, crisis standards of care, reunification, and ICS) that hospitals and communities rely on before, during, and after major storms. Pediatrics & Obstetrics Module Collection - Weather Emergencies and DisastersEMS providers play a vital role in natural and manmade disaster response, from hurricanes and floods to nuclear incidents. North Carolina ranks among the most impacted states, with frequent severe weather and three active nuclear reactors posing additional risk. This course prepares EMS professionals to respond quickly, safely, and effectively during large-scale emergencies—enhancing readiness, coordination, and public safety. Strengthen your disaster response skills and be ready to serve your community when it matters most.