During accounting closeout of your CDBG-DR grant program, it is critical to review all documentation. Keep a checklist of all documentation that requires review. Checklist items will likely include: Equipment and labor receipts A master recap of all invoices from and payments to consultants Teaming partners and other third parties Final calculations Internal records and… Read more
Paperwork is often the last thing people think of after a natural disaster, yet it’s one of the most important and complicated components of the disaster recovery process. Jurisdictions in the recovery process can be overwhelmed by the amount and specificity of documentation needed. But familiarizing staff with requirements and developing checklists during disaster planning… Read more
FEMA developed this guide to provide communities with a framework for structuring their own debris management plan or ensuring that their existing plan is consistent with FEMA’s eligibility criteria. This is part of FEMA’s efforts to encourage communities to take a proactive approach to creating and managing debris removal operations as part of their overall… Read more
This guide provides an overview of and the steps for implementing FEMA’s alternative procedures for debris removal. FEMA is currently piloting these procedures. FEMA’s Public Assistance Alternative Procedures Pilot Program Guide for Debris Removal, Version 5 [PDF]
When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the coastal city of New Orleans, Louisiana in 2005, they left trail of destruction in their wake. In total, 80 percent of the city was flooded by the waters that breached the levees intended to protect the city. The epic flooding created an equally monumental amount of debris. “After… Read more
During a disaster, the aspects of day-to-day life such as transportation, communication and acquisition of goods, become increasingly difficult. Communities are left in a state of fluctuation and instability that is only exacerbated by the problem of debris and debris removal. In order to return a community back to normal, effective and efficient debris removal… Read more
In disaster recovery, the role that the Stafford Act plays in how FEMA is authorized to provide disaster assistance funding is critically important, but it is challenging for localities to understand all the requirements. Below is a brief overview of the Stafford Act. Additionally, tools and resources are available for helping communities meet requirements.
Orange County, Texas, offers an insightful example of the types of staffing considerations localities experience during a disaster. The county was faced with a unique natural disaster situation in March of 2016 when the nearby Sabine River reached record-level highs, forcing operators at the Toledo Bend Dam to release water at an accelerated rate, flooding… Read more
At the end of post-disaster response, many communities start to feel abandoned – their FEMA representative leaves and it often seems like funding options are diminishing. Communities often find themselves asking the question, “What do we do now?” During this period of transition, a long-term recovery group (LTRG) can play an integral role in keeping… Read more
Mutual and Automatic Aid Agreements Ensure that your locality has a Mutual Aid Agreement or Automatic Aid Agreement in place and be familiar with the specifications and legalities of the agreement prior to an emergency situation. Familiarize yourself with both state-to-state aid agreements, like EMAC, in addition to agreements with localities in your state.… Read more
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