In this book, Michael Prasad offers a thoughtful and highly practical exploration of how water, something so essential to life, can become one of the most complex and widespread threats an emergency manager faces. What stands out immediately is that water-related hazards go far beyond natural disasters. While floods often take center stage, Prasad reminds us that water threats also include contamination, infrastructure failure, drought, and even cyberattacks targeting water systems. For emergency managers, this means we need to broaden our perspective. A pipe bursting, a dam under stress, or a polluted water source can quickly spiral into a major community crisis.
One of the most important lessons from the book is how water disruptions rarely stay contained. Lose access to clean water, and the consequences ripple out fast: hospitals lose sanitation, fire departments can't operate at full capacity, and public health risks spike. Water systems are foundational to FEMAs lifelines, and if they fail, many others collapse with them. Thats why emergency managers must understand the interdependencies and prepare for cascading impacts, not isolated events.
Climate change adds another layer of urgency. Old assumptions based on historical weather data are no longer reliable. Areas that once were safe from flooding now face routine flash floods; droughts are lasting longer, and sea levels are rising. Emergency managers cant rely on past trends like we used to; we have to adapt with forward-looking models and prepare communities for whats coming, not just whats been.
A powerful theme throughout the book is equity. Water crises often hit vulnerable communities the hardest. The Flint water crisis is just one example of how poor decision-making and a lack of transparency can devastate neighborhoods already struggling with systemic disadvantages. Emergency managers should prioritize equity, making sure that emergency planning includes and protects those who are most likely to be overlooked and that communication and recovery resources reach everyone, not just the well-connected.
The book also dives into the reality that water systems are deeply connected to other forms of infrastructure. Power outages can shut down water treatment plants. Fuel shortages can halt water deliveries. A cyberattack on a citys network can paralyze its entire utility system. For emergency managers, this means planning cant happen in silos. We need to collaborate with public works, utilities, IT, and public health departments before the crisis hits. Strong relationships and clear agreements are just as important as emergency supplies.
The book includes real-world case studies like Hurricane Harvey, the Oroville Dam crisis, and Flint, using them as springboards for practical recommendations. These stories give readers tangible examples of what to avoid and how to prepare better. Emergency managers are encouraged to incorporate these events into tabletop exercises, use them for after-action reviews, and build them into risk assessments and continuity plans.
Lastly, the book makes a strong case that emergency managers should be at the policy table. Many water-related crises stem not from the hazard itself, but from mismanagement, lack of oversight, and poor planning. Practitioners should engage in policy discussions and advocate for long-term investment in water infrastructure, not just short-term fixes. Our work isnt just about response, its also about prevention, mitigation, resilience, and smart governance.
This book is both a wake-up call and a reference for emergency managers. It humanizes the systems we often take for granted and calls on emergency managers to approach water hazards not just as operational challenges, but as deeply interconnected, equity-driven, and policy-dependent threats. The takeaway is clear: if you can understand and plan for water, you're one step closer to protecting your entire community.
Marc C. Baker, CEM
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