Having a post-disaster plan ready before a major storm event can help a community recover as quickly as possible, and promote sound redevelopment. Everyone wants to get “back to normal”—but “normal” should not mean continuing to expose structures, facilities, and infrastructure to the same storm damage and flooding hazards (or perhaps even greater risk than before if erosion has reduced protection to some areas).
Immediately following a disaster is the optimal time to remove or retrofit damaged buildings, since disaster assistance and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation funds are most available, as is willingness to adopt new technology and accept smarter reconstruction and repair options. Working collaboratively before a disaster to identify appropriate buildings to target for removal or retrofit will make this easier.
Communities should be aware that substantially damaged buildings will need to be brought up to current National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) code. FEMA’s Increased Cost of Compliance Coverage program is designed to help cover the cost of this work (providing up to $30,000 per building).
You may wish to send your businesses to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety’s “Getting Back To Business” PDF.
Your community may also wish to have a look at a the FEMA/American Planning Association collaborative effort called Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction. While the specifics of a post-disaster plan are community specific, it suggests the following components should be considered:
- Conduct habitability inspections (in addition to safety issues, this is important in determining temporary housing needs).
- Determine which structures are substantially damaged.
- Regulate reconstruction to ensure that the repaired structures meet all code requirements for future loss reduction (see the planning for outside help page).
- Consult technical experts regarding the best alternatives for reducing the potential for future damages from storms.
- Conduct a public information effort to advise residents about available funding and mitigation measures they can incorporate into their reconstruction plans to avoid future damage.
- Evaluate damaged public facilities and incorporate mitigation measures during repairs. Remember FEMA’s Increased Cost of Compliance Coverage program and other potential funding sources.
- Acquire substantially damaged or repetitive loss properties from willing sellers.
- Prepare or update a long-term mitigation plan.
Florida
You’ll likely want to begin with the DEM’s Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan’s page, then move on to the useful and comprehensive Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning: A Guide for Florida Communities here.
* Your community needs only 500 points to qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums through the Community Rating System (CRS). For more information (including how to apply for the CRS program), see our Community Rating System (CRS) primer.
Notes from the folks at CRS:
“Post-disaster recovery and mitigation planning is credited under Activity 510, Floodplain Management Planning.”