1. Recovery Operations -the Long and Short of it…..

2. Agenda Recovery Considerations Case Studies -State Level Case Studies -Local Level Lessons Learned 2

3. What is “Long-Term Recovery? The process of recovery that follows a disaster event and may continue for months and years (From the DRAFT National Disaster Recovery Framework, FEMA, 2010) Examples include the complete redevelopment and revitalization of a damaged area, which could mean: Returning the area to prior conditions; or Using the event to build back smarter and more sustainably, or in recognition of new “real-world” conditions resulting from the event. 3

4. How is Recovery Different from Response? Response is Comparatively “Easy” Short-Term Trained personnel available (e.g., Fire/EMS, Public Works) Established and known funding sources Limited number of players Few question resource needs Needs are obvious Limited political issues (at least until later!) 4

5. How is Recovery Different from Response? Longer-Term Recovery is More Complex Can last years Few trained personnel; no established staffing and management Structures Different and more stakeholders Need to leverage many funding sources, often not designed for recovery High-Visibility for the issue of limited resources Needs are more subjective, agenda-driven Substantial political issues 5

6. Why is Recovery Planning Needed? As disaster impacts grow, the need for recovery support increases accordingly Not all events require long-term recovery planning and implementation; it’s a function of scale Timeline to recovery Breadth of “communities” affected Impact on housing, infrastructure Changes to economic patterns and workforce Loss of governmental capacity Changes to demographics Changes in community perception 6

7. Normal Assumptions Don’t Apply After a big disaster, normal assumptions about your community and how it supports itself often need to be reassessed Government capacity / personnel availability Demographics Economy Community plans Understanding of risk Need for public involvement 7

8. During disaster recovery ... Observations: There will be lots of new faces, and different agencies will play new and large roles Standard management practices and other processes may not apply Outside resources may be needed for long periods of time (staffing, housing, debris, construction, etc., etc.) Unforeseen opportunities may arise There will be pressure to get back to business ASAP 8

9. During disaster recovery ... Observations: Reliable information/data will be hard to get Citizens will have their own ideas The business sector will have resources the State/Local Governments does not The business sector will have needs and wants The media will be crucial – and hard to manage Others? 9

10. How do you organize for Recovery Operations? 10

11. Case Study - Iowa 11

12. Iowa 12 Situation: Iowa, May-August 2008 May 25: Devastating EF 5 tornado hits Butler and Blackhawk counties in northeast Iowa June-July: record heavy rains cause widespread flooding August 13: All rivers in Iowa finally fall below flood stage Federal Disaster Declaration covered 87 counties, including 700 cities

13. Iowa Initial Numbers 18 deaths and 106 injured 38,000 displaced by tornadoes and flooding In Parkersburg, 1 in 3 residences were destroyed by tornado Governor’s 45-day report (incomplete damage totals): $946,000 in unmet housing costs $3B in small to intermediate business losses $703M in public building and infrastructure losses 13

14. Iowa Organizing for Recovery June 27, 2008: Gov. Culver established the Rebuild Iowa Office (RIO) and Advisory Commission (RIAC) and nine task forces RIO purpose: Rebuild “safer, stronger, smarter” Engaged representatives of agencies throughout state government and across all sectors of impacted communities 14

15. Iowa Nine Task Forces Agriculture and Environment Cultural Heritage and Records Retention Economic and Workforce Development Education Floodplain Management/ Hazard Mitigation Housing Infrastructure and Transportation Long-term Recovery Planning Public Health and Health Care 15

16. Iowa Guiding Long-Term Recovery: Working with FEMA ESF-14 Long-term Community Recovery (LTCR) LTCR teams in 10 communities State RIO representatives embedded Engaging communities in identifying LTCR goals, objectives, strategies, and projects Leveraging local, state, and federal capacity 16

17. 17 New Orleans 80% Underwater Case Study -Louisiana

18. Problems could not be addressed in “stove-pipes” Private sector coordination & team-building necessary Cross-jurisdictional complexities Need to leverage and coordinate delivery of assistance Needed to speak with one voice about needs and priorities Ensure opportunities are exploited Need to re-evaluate vision due to changes in population, economy, housing Lack of “planning culture” in LA 18 Overwhelmed and challenged the state and locals: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

19. Louisiana Recovery Authority The mission of the Louisiana Recovery Authority is to ensure that Louisiana rebuilds safer, stronger and smarter than before. There are five areas of focus: Securing funding and other resources needed for the recovery, Establishing principles and policies for redevelopment, Leading long-term community and regional planning efforts, Ensuring transparency and accountability in the investment of recovery funds, and Communicating progress, status and needs of the recovery to officials, community advocates and the public. 19

20. LRA Authorities Powers established in Executive Order: Establishing short and long-term priorities for recovery Speak on behalf of the entire state regarding unmet needs to the federal government and public Establish legislative agendas for recovery Identify funding sources, and coordinate assistance delivery Establish recovery policy across and inside agencies Organize itself by pulling staff from agencies at will 20

21. LRA Oversight LRA was responsive to a non-governmental board that oversaw LRA activities and set direction: Composed of as many as 26 members, all appointed by the Governor Speaker and Speaker Pro-Temp from the LA House, and President and President Pro-Temp from the LA Senate, were non-voting members Pulled-in outside experts and stakeholders for recovery planning Non-governmental and inclusive nature of the Board provided “insulation” for difficult decisions 21

22. LRA Accomplishments Justified requests for supplemental appropriations Led and succeeded in the effort to adopt a statewide building code Led a regional long-term recovery planning effort for south Louisiana, and worked with FEMA on ESF-14 implementation in the most impacted parishes Established the Louisiana model for use of CDBG funds for owned and rental housing repair and replacement, infrastructure “unmet needs,” and economic recovery investments Established metrics for recovery, and focused state agencies on meeting them Facilitated issue resolution between State and Feds 22

23. LRA Accomplishments LRA promoted disaster specific legislation: Waiver of 10% non federal cost share Extended Reimbursement for temporary housing utility cost for 24 months Waiver of Alternate Project Penalty for Schools Waiver of Alternate Project Penalty for Police and Fire Stations Independent Arbitration in lieu of Appeals Process 23

24. LRA Coordination and Integration LRA provided a focal point for locals to address systemic and “big picture” issues While the LRA had (and has) broad powers, they primarily coordinated, cajoled, and influenced other agencies with recovery responsibilities, including Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) Office of Community Development (OCD) Facilities Planning and Control (FPC) Coastal Protection and Restoration Agency (CPRA) Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Recovery School District (RSD) 24

25. Cedars Rapids, IA 25

26. Cedar Rapids, IA Cedar Rapids Recovery Reinvestment and Coordination Team (RRCT) Housing Rental Housing Business Downtown District Art and Culture Schools County Human Services 26

27. Cedar Rapids Regional Issues Geographic Breadth of Damages Small Business Impacts Housing Infrastructure Mitigation / Watershed Issues Transportation 27

28. Case Study: City of Galveston 28

29. Galveston Starting Over? Demographic Shifts Understanding of Risk Infrastructure Housing Affordability Economy / Jobs Government Services 29

30. Recovery Operations Lessons Learned: We plan for response; need to plan for recovery Establishment of a coordinating body is critical to long-term recovery A recovery entity needs authority to succeed Feds, State agencies, stakeholders initially unsure of what to make of Recovery Organizations Recovery activities require coordination across all sectors, prioritization, and input/support from community 30

31. Recovery Operations Lessons Learned: Focus on the big picture; don’t get lost in the weeds Local and state ownership of the recovery planning process is needed Planning at local level is insufficient for events with regional and statewide impacts Traditional Federal / State programs are generally not designed for recovery Coordination and filling of “gaps” are key roles of a recovery entity 31

32. Questions? Greg Fenton Director of Operations, Southern Region James Lee Witt Associates gfenton@wittassociates.com 404 942-7750