What are SBA disaster loans? The offers low-interest loans to homeowners and renters for repairing homes, rebuilding homes or replacing personal property following a natural disaster. These loans provide assistance to individuals whose needs are not fully met by insurance, or other compensation. Unlike other types of disaster assistance, these are loans that must be paid… Read more
In the hours, days and weeks following a natural disaster, documentation can have the most significant impact on the types and amount of recovery funding your community is eligible for. Proper documentation will not only help maximize your FEMA reimbursement, but it will set your community up for success in receiving other federal assistance later… Read more
With the 2018 hurricane season in full swing, coastal infrastructure must now withstand chronic, long-term challenges coupled with the looming threat of a severe tropical storm. To strengthen the effectiveness of existing infrastructure, coastal communities across the country may want to consider supplementing traditional “hard infrastructure,” with natural and nature-based infrastructure solutions like dunes and… Read more
Whether you’ve never experienced a disaster, haven’t had one for decades, or have been impacted by one recently, the following checklist provides a basic overview of the first steps for local leaders to take in the days and weeks immediately following a disaster. As a local leader, you will be tasked with helping homeowners through… Read more
The can be a saving grace for residents with flood-damaged homes, however it brings complicated requirements that can turn into an unanticipated source of angst for both local governments and residents. If your jurisdiction has , understanding NFIP requirements and rules is vital to helping your community successfully rebuild after a flood. Navigating the National… Read more
Although the numbers for losses incurred by 2018 disasters aren’t in yet, it’s likely that 2018 will be another record-breaking year for disaster losses in the US. Given the steady increase in disaster-induced losses, governments of all levels are pursuing the smartest ways to ensure the security, safety, stability and success of their constituents. As… Read more
IBTS’s natural disaster experts have developed the following list of important recommendations for citizens in areas affected by natural disasters. Local government officials in communities that expect to be hit by Hurricane Florence can distribute these as part of their disaster communications efforts to help their citizens during and immediately following the storm. PROTECT YOUR… Read more
As Hurricane Florence is about to make landfall on the coast of the Carolinas, IBTS’s team of natural disaster response and recovery experts have prepared the following short list of our most important OnHAND recommendations to help your local government operate effectively immediately before and after a disaster. Pre-Hurricane Florence Communications 1. Share your disaster and emergency… Read more
Claire Collins, IBTS Development Manager of Local Government Solutions, has more than two decades of local government management experience in Virginia as a county administrator, city manager, assistant to county manager and first public affairs/legislative liaison. Below, Collins provides guidance for local government leaders and stakeholders on how best to engage community members in… Read more
Between 1973 and 2008, there were a total of 852 Magnitude 3 or higher earthquakes in the central United States. But between 2009 and 2017, there were 3,258. This recent spike in seismic activity in the region has a lot of people wondering if hydraulic fracture (fracking) methods of oil production are to blame. Well,… Read more
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