Effects of notable natural disasters from 2005 to 2011 on telecommunications infrastructure: Lessons from on-site damage assessments

This paper discusses lessons from notable relatively recent disasters that had significant impact on communications infrastructure. The discussion will be based on field damage assessments and will be supported by extensive photographic evidence. In particular, the following disasters are discussed: from 2005, Hurricane Katrina; from 2008, hurricanes Gustav and Ike, from 2010 Chile´s earthquake and tsunami, from 2011 New Zealand´s earthquake in Christchurch, and the Great Earthquake and Tsunami in the Tohoku Region of Japan. This paper perspective focuses on basic questions addressed during field damage assessments that lead to identify potential ways for improving power supply availability during extreme events. Main failure modes are discussed, and similarities and differences observed from all these extreme events are commented. Predominant restoration strategies are also examined. Finally, this paper concludes with a summary of recommendations, including potential use of micro-grids as a powering option for communication sites in such extreme events.