A collection of 13 reports on lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy related to health systems and services. The report’s first section includes and Executive Summary of each article. Common recommendations included filling gaps in planning, communication and coordination, more integrated systems, more practice and training between facilities, building in redundancies, clarifying authority, preparing for environmental… Read more
One week after Hurricane Sandy, the author recommends short-term and long-term preparations that can help reduce the impact of such disasters. Short-term preparation focuses on planning, early warning, and preparedness. Long-term preparation focuses primarily on strengthening building codes and infrastructure. The Lessons Learned From Hurricane Sandy
This fact brief summarizes information the Furman Center has gathered regarding the characteristics of properties in the areas of the city flooded by Sandy’s storm surge and demographic characteristics of households that have registered to receive assistance from FEMA. Findings are organized in 3 main sections: Extent of the Surge Impact of the Surge on… Read more
This paper outlines the major “Lessons Learned” by municipalities in responding to Superstorm Sandy. The report identifies what worked and what did not, focusing on three areas: providing basic services, meeting the needs of special populations, and allocating resources. It also identifies what needs attention and ways to build resilience before the next inevitable disaster.… Read more
Program administration requires a significant amount of time and effort, which can place a heavy burden on localities — especially on those already coping with the disorganization following a disaster. Failing to comply with CDBG-DR program regulations can result in localities having to pay funds back to HUD. Before pursuing CDBG-DR funding, consider if your… Read more
Disaster recovery can be a long, drawn-out process that takes a toll not only the community members, but also on local governments that have to provide routine services while also working to rebuild and restore the community. When disaster recovery exceeds the capacity of a local governments’ staffing capabilities and skillsets, consulting with a small,… Read more
Check the Federal Register Notices periodically to identify any additional recordkeeping requirements. HUD provides a list of required documentation, including general administrative records, financial records, project activity and more. Use these resources to develop checklists of requirements that staff can refer to.
Communities who have been through a presidentially declared disaster cannot stress enough the importance of detailed, proper record keeping systems from the day the disaster strikes, if not before. Use these tips to setup a record keeping system in your own locality that ensures compliance with FEMA documentation requirements. Have a well-defined system in… Read more
Natural disasters often strike with little warning. However, if your locality is in an area that experiences disasters in a particular season (such as hurricanes or severe snowstorms), taking a proactive approach to disaster planning each year as the season approaches can make a noticeable difference in your ability to respond and recover if a disaster… Read more
Regular, consistent communications are crucial functions of incident command during a natural disaster. During the response phase, it can be easy to lose track of stakeholders outside the immediate response team. Use these guidelines to identify gaps in the stakeholders identified in your communications plan during the disaster planning process. New staff members who are… Read more
