Rebuild Tuscaloosa Task Force meeting notes, June 9th

The Rebuild Tuscaloosa Task Force recently visited Greensburg, Kansas to learn from them on how we can start "Rebuilding It Better". On May 4, 2007 an EF5 tornado hit Greensburg, destroying at least 90% of the community. 


 Rebuild Tuscaloosa TF now renamed Tuscaloosa Forward

State, federal officials pledge support to city of Cordova in light of trailer ban

 Wednesday, June 08, 2011

...[Mayor] Scott reiterated his city's plan to think long-term and not temporary. He said efforts are under way to build the city back stronger and better. ...

Tuscaloosa BOE member sees need for partnership with City

  Unlike Greensburg, Tuscaloosa didn’t lose all its school building in its recent tornado experience, simply because it had over a dozen campuses rather than two buildings.  It did, however, suffer the loss of two campuses, and those in perhaps the poorest part of a town with a relatively high poverty rate.

...    She later told The Signal she learned a great deal from USD 422 Superintendent Darin Headrick, particularly in terms of how he and his board prioritized its rebuilding plans and went about finding the dollars needed from a variety of sources....

NOLA touted as example for clean energy technology usage

June 8TH, 2011
The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are sharing some of their recent work together to show communities and cities throughout the country how integrated clean energy solutions can be used on a large scale.

Among the recent success stories they are using as examples are ones in the New Orleans area.

After Hurricane Katrina, the agencies united to provide a push for the area to embrace energy efficiency standards during the rebuilding process. So far, the message seems to have worked.

The city has built schools that are 30 percent more efficient than code, and the Regional Transit Authority added 39 biodiesel buses to their fleet in New Orleans and Kenner. These projects were made possible by the DOE, NREL and the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership.

Recently, the New Orleans area was selected as one of 25 Solar America Cities by the Department of Energy.

Greensburg, Kansas, is also being used as an example of an energy efficiency leader based on the area’s rebuilding process after a 2007 tornado that destroyed 95 percent of the city.

Phil Campbell Damage and Interviews

More Phil Campbell News on www.rememberphilcampbell.com/

Municipally-owned equipment destruction reaches $35 million

...April’s tornadoes statewide destroyed 191 municipally owned buildings, 122 vehicles and about 10 pieces of equipment. The total municipal cost is estimated at $35 million, according to Steve Wells, president of the Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation.

“Some municipalities ... only have a vehicle or two destroyed and then (there are) Hackleburg and Phil Campbell, which are pretty much devastated,” Wells said...

Mennonites, Amish helping Phil Campbell recover

...This week, the Mennonite Disaster Service brought in its first 13 volunteer workers from Lancaster County, Pa., who will rotate out when another group of Mennonites and Amish workers replace them Sunday.
Their first construction project is nearly completed — Camp Bell — which will eventually be able to house 40 workers who could stay in the region for months or more than a year....
...The Mennonite Disaster Service joins several other faith-based groups in the recovery and rebuilding efforts throughout Phil Campbell, including the United Methodist Disaster Recovery Ministry, chapters of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Christian Aid Ministries and the Churches of Christ disaster relief effort.
The Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that includes the Mennonites and the more conservative Amish....
...Phil Campbell joins Birmingham as the two locations in Alabama chosen by federal emergency management officials for the Mennonite Disaster Service, said Jerry Klassen, disaster response coordinator.

Volunteers said the effort could take up to two years, but Klassen said the group would stay as long as the "four pillars" of the program are available.

The first pillar consists of volunteers capable of helping to repair and rebuild. The second pillar is the support system for workers such as vehicles and equipment. The third pillar is making sure the work is meaningful, specifically targeted to vulnerable residents such as single parents, elderly, low-income or handicapped residents. ...

Read More...

Economists say tornado outbreak impact could dampen Alabama's recovery

 While construction workers will stay busy rebuilding thousands of damaged and destroyed homes and businesses, that activity will be offset by a temporary loss of jobs and lower tax revenues in communities affected by the twisters, they say.

"It's going to have a significant negative impact on Alabama for the near future," said Jennings Marshall, an economics professor at Samford University's Brock School of Business.

Published: Tuesday, May 03, 2011, Birmingham News

[Alabama] Memorandum: Let's ensure we finish recovery

The memorandum was written by Bill Horton, north Alabama president of Regions Bank

Published: Thursday, June 09, 2011

....Nearly six years after Hurricane Ka­trina, the work of rebuilding commu­nities, businesses, homes and lives continues, which is important to note because we are beginning a similar, long and difficult journey. One impor­tant lesson we and others learned from that disaster is that the needs persist much longer than the head­lines. Compassion fatigue makes it difficult to maintain the same atten­tion and concern expressed immedi­ately after a traumatic event. For rea­sons understandable and predictable, our attention wanes. Our energies are redirected to the next crisis. What is eventually out of sight is out of mind.

But for our friends and neighbors in need in Tuscaloosa, Hackleburg, Phil Campbell, Cullman, Concord, Pleas­ant Grove, Pratt City, and elsewhere, after the shipments of water, money and donations of clothes - all desper­ately needed - stop, what next? Do we have the will to travel the long journey from aftermath to afterward? We must, with unflagging perseverance, continue not for a day or a week or a month, but until the job is complete.

It's easy to commit to making this community better -- but the true test is whether that commitment is borne out on the proving ground of this un­precedented disaster. The proof will be new pictures of rebuilt lives, reborn communities and renewal...
Read More...

Video of Damage in Ringgold Georgia

Ringgold was one of the most impacted communities in GA after the April 2011 tornados.

Nashville Releases Long Term Recovery Plan and Metro CDBG Action Plan

Nashville Long Term Recovery Plan, Apr 2011 - PDF File

Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Action Plan for Disaster Recovery, Feb 2011
  Utilizing Supplemental CDBG Disaster Funding

Nashville Flood Recovery Website

Opportunities and Challenges for Nature-based Tourism in Chambers County” will be the topic at the first Annual Meeting of the Chambers Recovery Team (“ChaRT”)

Nature Tourism for Chambers County

Public Meeting, May 26th, 2011 5:30pm

“Opportunities and Challenges for Nature-based Tourism in Chambers County”
Location: The NEW National Wildlife Refuge’sVisitor Center,

Chambers County is rich in the natural resources that are attractive to nature tourists. Is the county ready to take advantage of this fast growing sector of the tourism industry? What is needed to better position the county for growth in this arena?

“Opportunities and Challenges for Nature-based Tourism in Chambers County” will be the topic at the first Annual Meeting of the Chambers Recovery Team (“ChaRT”), to be held on the evening of May 26 at the new Visitor Center of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service., beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and opportunities to explore the new U.S. Fish & Wildlife Visitor Center, 4017 FM 563, Anahuac. The speaker will be Miles Phillips, Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University and Extension Specialist for AgriLife Extension.

This first ChaRT Annual Meeting, to be held at 6:30pm will also provide an opportunity to learn more about the new organization. ChaRT is dedicated to assisting with implementation of the Long Term Community Recovery Plan for Chambers County, which was a community-based plan developed after Hurricane Ike with FEMA assistance. Board members represent all the geographic areas of the county and many diverse interests.

One of the projects identified in the Long Term Community Recovery Plan was “Ecotourism Marketing and Outreach.” The project’s definition was to “Increase awareness of Chambers County as an ecotourism destination, through branding, marketing, signage, and festival events.” The project goals were to attract additional ecotourism to Chambers County and restore parks and facilities that attract visitors to the County.

Through AgriLife’s nature tourism program, Mr. Phillips provides educational and training programs throughout Texas, and also assists in other parts of the nation. ChaRT has engaged Mr. Phillips to conduct the first phase of a Nature Tourism Initiative in Chambers County. Future information will be posted at http://www.chamberswild.com

R.S.V.P. 409-267-3142 or linda.shead@sheadconservation.com

Uphill Struggle for Poultry Industry

CULLMAN — Tornado damage assessments for Cullman County remain incomplete, but one rising area of concern is the impact on the area's farming community.

Schools look at next step [Hackleburg and Phil Campbell]

Both Hackleburg and Phil Campbell school officials are slowly learning how to move forward after both towns suffered enormous losses during the April tornado, including losses affecting their schools, which have been the hub of each community.

By Trevor Stokes, Staff Writer, TimesDaily.com, Published: Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 3:30 a.m. 

Tornado damage whipped Saban into action in Holt

Shortly after the worst tornado in the history of the state of Alabama, Saban brought together local companies with one primary, purposeful goal: Rebuild the town of Holt. He found architects and engineers and lumber yards willing to give their time for free, and set the plan in motion.

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-05-31/tornado-damage-whipped-saban-into-action#ixzz1OPaZLUwD

[Tuscaloosa] ROBERT DEWITT: City planning can’t infringe on property rights

The tornado that hit Tuscaloosa on April 27 didn’t create a blank slate. But the path of destruction is large enough to create visions of complete redevelopment.

Many of the areas hit are begging for redevelopment. The problem is, not everybody shares the same vision.

In about two and a half years of covering City Hall under Mayor Walt Maddox’s administration, I learned a few things. The mayor loves visionary plans. He thinks big and he thinks optimistically. He doesn’t think things move forward unless someone pushes them forward.

Read Article...

[Tuscaloosa] City plans go beyond rebuilding, bringing cost up to $33M

Read Article...

Task force to rebuild tornado's damage

TUSCALOOSA | The nearly 50 members of the Rebuild Tuscaloosa Task Force on Thursday learned the full scope of the work in front of them.  The task force must develop a comprehensive restoration and rebuilding plan for about 10 percent of the city of Tuscaloosa.  And do so within five weeks.

Read Article...

City considers consultant for recovery

TUSCALOOSA | As the city’s newly formed task force on crafting a new Tuscaloosa prepares to hold its first meeting this week, the City Council is considering whether to hire a consultant to lead the team in a unified direction.

EDITORIAL: [Alabama] Forest Recovery Task Force is a good idea

Gov. Robert Bentley has created the Alabama Forest Recovery Task Force to help the state’s timber industry through the damage this has caused. Since timber in Alabama is grown as a commercial crop, it’s reasonable to wonder whether state government should have a direct role in a private industry.

Tuscaloosa task force visits Greensburg

GREENSBURG, Kansas (KSN) – After their town was devastated by a deadly tornado in April, a group from Tuscaloosa, Alabama toured Greensburg hoping to learn some tips on recovering from a storm.
“We just want to come out and try to learn what we can because we’re flying a plane in Tuscaloosa that we don’t know how to fly,” said William Tinker, Tuscaloosa Council Member.

Read More...

FEMA's Steve Wade gives an ESF-14 briefing at the Birmingham Joint Field Office.

FEMA's Steve Wade gives an ESF-14 briefing at the Birmingham Joint Field Office. Emergency Support Function 14 works with the state to bring together officials from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to identify and address the community's long-term disaster-related recovery strategy. FEMA photo/Tim Burkitt

Cordova Alamaba Council requests FEMA help with city’s long-term recovery

Read more: Daily Mountain Eagle - Council requests FEMA help with city’s long term recovery = 
CORDOVA — The Cordova City Council passed a resolution concerning the town’s long-term recovery during a special called meeting Thursday night.

The resolution, which passed unanimously, requests the help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Long Term Recovery group and its partner agencies, also known as the Emergency Support Function Fourteen (ESF-14).

Cordova Fire Chief Dean Harbison said that the FEMA group would be able to provide support service to the city as well as to residents and business owners during the rebuilding process.

“It’s a panel through FEMA that will be able to help us with long-range planning,” Harbison said.

Harbison added that the partnership would provide access to professionals and resources that might not otherwise be available to the city and its citizens.

Read more: Daily Mountain Eagle - Council requests FEMA help with city’s long term recovery 

Towns hit by twisters offer rebuilding road map

By Jim Suhr and Jim Salter, POSTED: 05/26/2011

...Not far from Joplin, tiny Pierce City and Stockton rebuilt piece by piece after tornadoes reduced much of their prized downtowns to rubble, killing four. 

... "Some things came back bigger and better," said Johnson, who has spent all but four of her 48 years in Pierce City, where the population is down just 128 from a decade ago. "It's never going to be the way it was as far as physical attributes, and we lost the historical charm as far as downtown. But we're back." So is Stockton, eight years after the lakeside town was brought to its knees by the tornado that killed three people, nearly destroyed the town square and knocked out one-third of its 120 businesses. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed, and the park was obliterated.

Residents wanted to start rebuilding immediately, Mayor Patty Thompson recalls. But the city council barred new construction for a few months, allowing for cool reflection about how the resurrected town should look.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18147873?source=rss

FEMA Delivers Comprehensive Recovery Plans To Pierce City And Stockton

News Clip from 2003 ... FEMA deployed teams of technical specialists to develop plans to address the specific recovery issues of each city. Since the first week of July, engineers, architects, landscape architects, and economic development specialists have completed extensive field research, listened to community input, and analyzed the opportunities and constraints of each city. These plans identify projects which, when implemented, support and promote revitalization of the communities.

Joplin Long Term Community Recovery

JOPLIN NEWS AND INFO

Olive Hill Long Term Community Recovery Plan

Visit Olive Hill Council for Planning and Restoration site for the plan
http://www.olivehill.ky.gov/olivehillcpr/

Greensburg Recovery Info Blog Site

News and Resources for Greensburgs Long Term Community Recovery Progress

National Officals Tour Hackleburg

David Kumbroch, WHNT News 19 Reporter, 9:07 p.m. CDT, May 29, 2011

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Congressman Robert Aderholt conducted an aerial survey of the damage before landing to tour volunteer sites and a few schools. They then conducted a brief community meeting with town leaders.  Napolitano told them, "Hang in there.  This is a strong, resilient community.  People's roots go back a long ways."

She pledged FEMA's commitment to a long-term recovery.  Napolitano assured, "This will be a marathon, not a sprint.  We are in it for the long haul."

Hackleburg Mayor Douglas Gunnin is confident the town will rebuild in time. Gunnin says, "They didn't build Rome in one day, so we're not going to get Hackleburg built back in one day.  I mean, we're talking about months, and probably a year."

However, Congressman Aderholt reminded leaders of the importance of working together at all levels. Aderholt pointed out, "It is imperative that the state and that the federal and the local government work together, and that's exactly what's been happening."

Both leaders made sure to point out that the federal government would help oversee the recovery from start to finish.

Mayor: No Hackleburg without Wrangler

By Michelle Rupe Eubanks, Published: Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 3:30 a.m. 

... U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., is expected to be in Hackleburg on Sunday or Monday to survey the site. Gunnin said Sessions told him he “would do whatever it took to keep Wrangler in Hackleburg. People at the state and federal level have all said they would help us out.”

It's that reassurance that keeps Gunnin convinced his optimism will pay off with a new plant, either on its current site on somewhere else in town limits. He also said he's encouraged by the other businesses that have begun the cleanup and rebuilding process in earnest.

“In 1943, Hackleburg got blown away, and we only had 300 or 400 people then, but we came back,” Gunnin said. “Now, we've got 1,527 people, and we're seeing progress. The Piggly Wiggly has got its place cleaned off; the Dollar General is about cleaned off. Crews have been working on the pharmacy and the doctor's office and across the street at Wachovia Bank.”