long-term recovery strategy for 2008 disaster and beyond
By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2010-01-04 18:09:46 | Word Count: 587
Today, the Rebuild Iowa Coordinating Council met to discuss proposed disaster legislation for 2010, as well as goals for Iowa’s recovery from the 2008 floods and tornadoes.
The mission of the Coordinating Council is to encourage cooperation and partnership among state and local government agencies regarding Iowa’s long-term disaster recovery plans from the 2008 storms and floods that impacted 85 of Iowa’s 99 counties.
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Today’s meeting began with members hearing legislation that will be proposed by the Rebuild Iowa Office (RIO) to the 2010 Iowa Legislature. Legislative items include a Smart Planning proposal that encourages the state and local communities to adopt Smart Planning principles, such as providing a variety of transportation choices, making a city more energy efficient and protecting and preserving natural resources. The Smart Planning proposal also outlines what a sustainable, comprehensive plan that may be adopted by a city or community would include. Lastly, the proposed legislation recommends a task force be established to decide how to coordinate necessary Smart Planning principles at state and local levels.
Another legislative proposal by the RIO includes establishing disaster case management in Iowa code for individuals and small businesses, allowing one-on-one assistance to reach impacted Iowans in a more timely and structured manner the next time a disaster strikes.
The Coordinating Council also discussed what the long-term recovery strategy for handling the 2008 disasters, as well as future disasters, should include. Suggested goals discussed at today’s meeting are:
• Restore lost housing stock through housing programs, while returning impacted Iowans to permanent housing.
• Ensure stability of impacted businesses.
• Continue to address Smart Planning goals.
• Complete flood plain mapping in Iowa so communities have the most updated information to make decisions.
• Increase participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and encourage Iowans to purchase flood insurance to minimize future risk.
• Leave behind a blueprint for future recovery efforts and establish which agencies will be responsible for various activities related to recovery once the RIO sunsets in June 2011.
• Continue to improve communications on all levels about disaster assistance programs and changes.
• Maintain a proper system for records retention so documents are not lost in future disasters.
• Encourage mitigation efforts when building new structures around the state, such as safe rooms, incorporating rules into building standards and codes.
• Continue to work with federal agencies to increase flexibility of disaster dollars.
• Connect with older Iowans, children and other populations to make sure they are not left out of disaster plans.
• Maintain disaster-related mental health programs so help is immediately available following a disaster.
From today’s discussion, the RIO will continue to create and implement a long-term strategy to assist with the recovery of the 2008 disasters, as well as address the potential needs that may arise in future disasters.
The Coordinating Council was created in HF 64, the same legislation that formalized the Rebuild Iowa Office. The Council was created to facilitate communication among state agencies, local governments and the Rebuild Iowa Office. The Coordinating Council consists of representatives from 18 state agencies, the Iowa League of Cities, the Iowa State Association of Counties, Council of Governments and four Iowa legislators.
