February 16th, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Lessons in Community Recovery - New FEMA Report
A new FEMA Report describing principles and lessons of community recovery based on the 7 years of ESF #14 Long Term Community Recovery field work.
Businesses return to 15th Street and McFarland, Tuscaloosa
Published: Sunday, January 29, 2012
During that time, business owners and city officials have come into conflict while navigating the line between the city’s vision for its future and businesses’ rebuilding needs.
While there have been disagreements between the two over the city’s plans, several business owners in the areas affected by the tornado say they are starting to work better with the city on finding a balance between compliance with new, more restrictive city regulations and returning to business as usual.
Tommy Metrock’s Boulevard Salon on McFarland Boulevard was one of the smallest businesses destroyed and is one of the smallest to return.
Design Alabama: Forward Tuscaloosa - Disaster Recovery Article
To read the Design Alabama artcile in its entirity, please click here.
One of the worst tornado outbreaks ever to hit the United States occurred over a four-day period April 2011, causing catastrophic destruction, particularly in Alabama. An EF-4 twister described as “very large and exceptionally destructive” struck Tuscaloosa April 27. To devise a means of recovery, Mayor Walter Maddox formed the Rebuild Tuscaloosa Task Force, which put together the Tuscaloosa Forward Strategic Plan – a long-term vision born out of a public/private partnership and extensive citizen feedback. Main concerns addressed by the plan are housing, improving infrastructure and economic development. Tuscaloosa now has the opportunity to create updated land use that reflects the city’s urban core and replaces outdates codes and zoning, Maddox adds.
DA Journal 2011 | Volume XXI | “Forward Tuscaloosa” by Jessica Armstrong
One of the worst tornado outbreaks ever to hit the United States occurred over a four-day period April 2011, causing catastrophic destruction, particularly in Alabama. An EF-4 twister described as “very large and exceptionally destructive” struck Tuscaloosa April 27. To devise a means of recovery, Mayor Walter Maddox formed the Rebuild Tuscaloosa Task Force, which put together the Tuscaloosa Forward Strategic Plan – a long-term vision born out of a public/private partnership and extensive citizen feedback. Main concerns addressed by the plan are housing, improving infrastructure and economic development. Tuscaloosa now has the opportunity to create updated land use that reflects the city’s urban core and replaces outdates codes and zoning, Maddox adds.Podcast and Slideshow — Rebuilding Greensburg: Four Years of Progress
Greensburg, Kansas, Mayor Bob Dixson, and Stephen Hardy, senior planner with BNIM Architects in Kansas City, who prepared Greensburg’s Sustainable Comprehensive Plan following the May 2007 tornado that devastated the community, talk with Jim Schwab about the city’s four-year-old efforts to rebuild the community on green principles.
Click on the player below to listen:
Avoiding the Fate of Napoleon (Arkansas): Designing Successful Recovery Efforts
Todd Jaspers Blog: I spent yesterday in Harrisburg, PA at the Region III National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Stakeholder Engagement Workshop. While it was great to see so many emergency management professionals dedicated to recovery, it was also quite clear that these types of discussions about recovery are just the beginning of crucial recovery planning at every level. Collectively, we’ve spent enormous resources on response and now, with the NDRF, our focus is being re-adjusted to better understanding–and planning–recovery.
Teamwork saved Wrangler plant in Hackleburg, officials say
Published: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 12:45 PM Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 12:57 PM
Sunday, February 5, 2012
GOVERNOR SHUMLIN, ALL RECOVERY IS LOCAL, VT
Wednesday, January 25 - 3:20 p.m. - Since August 28th, Governor Shumlin, FEMA and Vermonters across the state continue to work towards rebuilding Vermont better than the way Irene found us.Watch the Governor speak on how local recovery with state support allows for success in our Green Mountain State.
Fairfax Board Endorses [Pre] Disaster Recovery Plan
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors today endorsed the first comprehensive disaster recovery plan in the National Capital Region. The Fairfax County Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan (PDRP) is the work of a federally-funded project led by the County Office of Emergency Management and positions Fairfax County to successfully recover from a major disaster.“The PDRP will help ensure Fairfax County can not only survive a disaster, but will be able to recover from it as the great county it is today,” Chairman Sharon Bulova said. “Recovery isn’t just about removing debris or repairing property. We must be ready to get back to work and patronize our local businesses to keep our economy moving. We must be ready to take our kids to school and to reclaim our social lives. We must be ready to face the new day.”
The plan includes partnerships with community organizations like Faith Communities in Action and local Chambers of Commerce. It considers post-disaster community needs holistically, and in coordination with our partners, it will assist the community in addressing the overwhelming and diverse issues that could arise once response activities have subsided.
“The PDRP has been praised by federal economic and emergency management officials, and localities across the country are looking to it as a model for their disaster recovery plans,” Chairman Bulova said. “Our Office of Emergency Management personnel and their director, David McKernan, are to be applauded for their efforts.”
The U.S. Economic Development Administration is currently promoting the plan as a “best practice” on their National Disaster Recovery Framework Rollout tour. Requests for more information on the project have come from multiple jurisdictions, including Los Angeles, California; Garland, Texas; and King County, Washington.
To view the final Fairfax County Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan and read about the extensive process used to develop it, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem/pdrp/ .
Joplin leaders endorse tornado recovery plan
Thu, Jan. 19, 2012, KANSAS CITY STAR kansascity.com
JOPLIN, Mo. | Community leaders in Joplin have resoundingly endorsed a long-term tornado recovery plan they hope will serve as a national example for other disaster-ravaged areas. The standing ovations and shouts of praise from a grateful public Thursday night were a good start.
The Joplin City Council, school board and Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Board of Aldermen in neighboring Duquesne, swiftly approved the recovery plan at a meeting that ended after barely 30 minutes, though it was scheduled to last two hours. The only hiccup: passing a microphone from one end to the other of a U-shaped table crammed with 45 elected officials and business owners.
The plan was developed by a group of volunteers based on comments offered by area residents at a series of public discussions that began several weeks after the May 22 tornado, one of the nation's deadliest, killed 161 people and destroyed thousands of buildings, from homes and churches to big-box retail businesses and one of the city's two hospitals.
Recommendations include creation of four new business districts that would also allow residents to live and shop nearby. The plan also calls for a city committee to ensure new construction meets certain design standards, including more landscaping to offset commercial projects and parking lots.
Friday, January 27, 2012
A Big Check To Help In Recovery in Owego NY
Owego, NY (WBNG Binghamton) The Tioga County Historical Society is still struggling to recover from September's floods. Sunday afternoon, it received some financial assistance to speed up the process.
The historical society was given a $13,000 grant Sunday from the Preservation League of New York State.
Read more...
The historical society was given a $13,000 grant Sunday from the Preservation League of New York State.
Read more...
By Brandi Devine, January 22, 2012 wbng.com
Village of Owego NY flood recovery update
Owegopennysaver.com On 1/16/12 •
The Village of Owego is moving ahead on many fronts to help village residents and businesses recover from flood damage. A FEMA Long-Term Community Recovery team led by Peter Gozza, a Long-Term Community Recovery leader, and a staff of three people with experience in post disaster economic recovery will be working in the village. They will be meeting with a Community Recovery Committee of local business people and community leaders to develop a strategic plan for economic recovery.
A New York state grant for Long-Term Community Recovery for $50,000 is being applied for. This grant can be used to help the village review and update the Village Master Plan that was done in 2003. The 2003 Village Master Plan is on the village web site under Departments> Department of Public Works (DPW). The Village of Owego Planning Board met on Tuesday, Jan 10 to discuss reviewing and updating the Village Master Plan.
The village is applying for a $ 3,000,000 Hazard Mitigation Grant that will help homeowners elevate their homes. Homeowners who had flood insurance can get a one time $30,000 increased cost of compliance ( ICC) grant from their insurance company to elevate. A sign up sheet has been available at the village office to show that you are interested. There will be a prioritization of properties done after the grant is awarded. For more information call the Village Clerk / Treasurer at 687-3555.
The village will be participating in the development of a new Tioga County All Hazards Mitigation Plan to replace the one that ended in October 2011. This plan is needed before a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (DR-4031) funds can be distributed in Tioga County. Owego Deputy Mayor Kevin Millar is the village representative to the Tioga County Hazard Mitigation group that will be working on the Tioga County All Hazard Mitigation Plan. There will be a consulting firm experienced in hazard mitigation plan development contracted by Tioga County to help develop the plan.
READ MORE...
The Village of Owego is moving ahead on many fronts to help village residents and businesses recover from flood damage. A FEMA Long-Term Community Recovery team led by Peter Gozza, a Long-Term Community Recovery leader, and a staff of three people with experience in post disaster economic recovery will be working in the village. They will be meeting with a Community Recovery Committee of local business people and community leaders to develop a strategic plan for economic recovery.
A New York state grant for Long-Term Community Recovery for $50,000 is being applied for. This grant can be used to help the village review and update the Village Master Plan that was done in 2003. The 2003 Village Master Plan is on the village web site under Departments> Department of Public Works (DPW). The Village of Owego Planning Board met on Tuesday, Jan 10 to discuss reviewing and updating the Village Master Plan.
The village is applying for a $ 3,000,000 Hazard Mitigation Grant that will help homeowners elevate their homes. Homeowners who had flood insurance can get a one time $30,000 increased cost of compliance ( ICC) grant from their insurance company to elevate. A sign up sheet has been available at the village office to show that you are interested. There will be a prioritization of properties done after the grant is awarded. For more information call the Village Clerk / Treasurer at 687-3555.
The village will be participating in the development of a new Tioga County All Hazards Mitigation Plan to replace the one that ended in October 2011. This plan is needed before a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (DR-4031) funds can be distributed in Tioga County. Owego Deputy Mayor Kevin Millar is the village representative to the Tioga County Hazard Mitigation group that will be working on the Tioga County All Hazard Mitigation Plan. There will be a consulting firm experienced in hazard mitigation plan development contracted by Tioga County to help develop the plan.
READ MORE...
Friday, January 20, 2012
Residents think of ways to revitalize Athens Borough
Morning-times.com 12-13-11
Several residents talk to a FEMA official during Monday’s meeting at Athens High School. Pat McDonald/Morning TimesATHENS BOROUGH – Athens Borough residents Monday brainstormed on ways to bring the borough back after the recent flooding.
Several Athens Borough business owners attended Monday’s meeting. Pat McDonald/Morning Times“Together we can shape what will happen,” said Maslin. She said the borough now has the opportunity to come back even stronger.
Residents think of ways to revitalize Athens Borough
Several residents talk to a FEMA official during Monday’s meeting at Athens High School. Pat McDonald/Morning TimesATHENS BOROUGH – Athens Borough residents Monday brainstormed on ways to bring the borough back after the recent flooding.A community meeting was held in the Athens Area High School cafeteria on long-term community recovery with local and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials.
Athens Borough Emergency Management Coordinator, and co-chair of the Athens Recovery Steering Committee Scott Riley headed the meeting alongside co-chair Yvonne Maslin. Riley and Maslin created the committee with the help of FEMA, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency officials and Bradford County Emergency Management Agency representatives.
“Hopefully, this will help move the borough forward,” said Riley.
“It will take all of us to put all of the pieces of Athens back together,” Maslin said to residents, adding that Athens is not the same after the recent flooding and will not be again.
Several Athens Borough business owners attended Monday’s meeting. Pat McDonald/Morning Times“Together we can shape what will happen,” said Maslin. She said the borough now has the opportunity to come back even stronger.Before creating a new community, Maslin said residents have to decide what they liked about the borough before the recent flooding and how they would like to be after it is revitalized.
Long-Term Recovery
John Boyle of FEMA, who is specifically working on long-term community recovery, said the Athens Borough Steering Committee and its FEMA consultants have also been speaking with agencies such as the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Committee and the Central Bradford Progress Authority on ways to find funding for the borough once reconstruction plans are devised.
Minot Adopts FEMA Recovery Plan
KFYR TV News, Dec 19th, 2011
The City of Minot has approved a comprehensive, long-term recovery plan. See Plan
FEMA published the plan December 7, after months of public input following the Souris River Flood. Now that the Minot City Council is on-board attention turns to getting started and footing the bill.
Six months since the Souris River`s crest through Minot, emotions are still raw in neighborhoods... Inside Minot City Hall elected officials approved a FEMA plan that aims to get the region back on its feet.
More than 150 pages in length with a completion date years from now, it`s a challenge, but Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman says the investment is worth it. "A lot of times these kinda plans get set on the shelf and are never looked at again but I think this is the kinda plan that we can honestly take a good hard try at and accomplish," Zimbelman said after Monday`s City Council Meeting.
Building affordable housing, promoting economic development and building parks are all priorities of the plan. Now, the minds behind the final draft say it`s important that communities work quickly to get the smaller- more manageable projects completed first.
"A lot of the things we`ve worked on in previous disasters we start with the small things, work on those, get those accomplished, and then start working on biggest things. It`s kinda that confidence builder if you will," said FEMA representative Steve Greene.
The other reason planners put smaller things first: money. Big undertakings such as improving traffic along Burdick Expressway as well as a miles-long greenway will be expensive and while this plan doesn`t come with a check- it isn`t without suggestions.
Greene said, "We don`t guarantee funding but the one thing we can do is start asking our federal and state partners what programs they have out there that these communities can take advantage of."
Will it be expensive? Definitely; but Zimbelman says the cost is worth it, "Can`t let that hold you back. You have to have a vision and I think this sets us on a track for a better Minot at the end."
Nothing about this plan is set in stone, but Minot leaders hope this will be the bed rock of a healthier city.
Ward County Commissioners will discuss the plan Tuesday.
The City of Minot has approved a comprehensive, long-term recovery plan. See Plan
Six months since the Souris River`s crest through Minot, emotions are still raw in neighborhoods... Inside Minot City Hall elected officials approved a FEMA plan that aims to get the region back on its feet.
More than 150 pages in length with a completion date years from now, it`s a challenge, but Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman says the investment is worth it. "A lot of times these kinda plans get set on the shelf and are never looked at again but I think this is the kinda plan that we can honestly take a good hard try at and accomplish," Zimbelman said after Monday`s City Council Meeting.
Building affordable housing, promoting economic development and building parks are all priorities of the plan. Now, the minds behind the final draft say it`s important that communities work quickly to get the smaller- more manageable projects completed first.
"A lot of the things we`ve worked on in previous disasters we start with the small things, work on those, get those accomplished, and then start working on biggest things. It`s kinda that confidence builder if you will," said FEMA representative Steve Greene.
The other reason planners put smaller things first: money. Big undertakings such as improving traffic along Burdick Expressway as well as a miles-long greenway will be expensive and while this plan doesn`t come with a check- it isn`t without suggestions.
Greene said, "We don`t guarantee funding but the one thing we can do is start asking our federal and state partners what programs they have out there that these communities can take advantage of."
Will it be expensive? Definitely; but Zimbelman says the cost is worth it, "Can`t let that hold you back. You have to have a vision and I think this sets us on a track for a better Minot at the end."
Nothing about this plan is set in stone, but Minot leaders hope this will be the bed rock of a healthier city.
Ward County Commissioners will discuss the plan Tuesday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)