Responding to a major flooding event is a chaotic process. The emotional trauma of a flood, coupled with the incredible destruction it leaves behind, can be overwhelming for families, businesses and communities. What you do immediately following a flood event is crucial to a successful recovery.
As a community leader, this may be your first experience dealing with a significant natural disaster. There are a handful of very important first steps that will enable your community to maximize recovery efforts.
Assess
One of the very first steps is to work with local, state and federal officials to complete a damage assessment of the community.
The damage assessment will quantify the losses to determine what level of assistance may be available. As soon as the floodwater recedes, push for the completion of a damage assessment and document with maps and photos. The assessment should include damage to private properties and public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, levees, water and sewer systems, and public places, such as parks and ball fields.
Coordinate
Immediately begin coordinating the recovery with state and federal agencies. The most important agencies to contact are:
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency/State Emergency Management Agency – to identify eligible expenses for reimbursement resulting from a disaster declaration.
• The Environmental Protection Agency/Department of Natural Resources – to understand the requirements for proper debris management.
• The U.S. Corps of Engineers – to identify and repair damage to levee systems and waterways.
• The National Flood Insurance Program/Floodplain Administrator – to ensure the recovery efforts are compliant with the NFIP and local ordinances on floodplain management, which are essential for maintaining insurance eligibility.
Cleanup
The removal of flood debris from public lands, ditches and streets, coupled with debris from homes and their contents, is a significant task.
Contact DNR and EPA to understand the disposal requirements for hazardous debris. Develop a debris management plan to comply with state and federal requirements and to qualify these expenses for reimbursement.
Communicate
One of the most important things you, as a community leader, can do is provide clear and accurate information to those impacted by flooding. The important things to communicate are:
• Notification of when it is safe to return to flooded properties.
• Contact information for agencies that can assist with damage assessment, filing claims, assisting with cleanup and providing temporary housing assistance.
• Instructions on how to handle flood debris.
• General safety information regarding cleanup and repair of flood-damaged property.
• Information on how to get safe drinking water and re-establish utility services.
• Information on the process and contact person to determine if a property is “substantially damaged” and requires elevation before repair.
• Information about the community’s plans for disaster recovery, such as a residential buyout program or a community relocation project to prevent repetitive flooding.
Recover
You may have the opportunity to access state and federal funding to assist with flood recovery.
Keep informed about opportunities and requirements for accessing funds. Additionally, determine how to end the repetitive losses from river flooding and consider recovery strategies aimed at creating a viable and sustainable community.
Funding may also be available to assist with these efforts. Working with experienced professionals in disaster recovery will help you navigate the bureaucracy and effectively pursue resources.
Steve Etcher is a manager at MarksNelson in Kansas City with experience in disaster recovery. He’s helped dozens of communities obtain millions in disaster recovery funding and relocated three communities from the floodplain, including Rhineland, Missouri. He can be reached at (816) 743-7700.
