FLOOD04420

• County: Statewide
• Community: Statewide
• Stream Name: All
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Flood Fight Operations
• Date: 8/1/1996
• Prepared For: FEMA
• Prepared By: FEMA
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

Receding flood waters signal the start of the recovery process.
Recovery for most communities is an emotionally draining, time-
consuming, and expensive proposition. The restoration process
may place greater demands oti government and private services
than the flood fight.

Ideally, training programs to prepare the public for returning to
their flood damaged homes will begin before the waters start to
recede. While some training programs or briefings can be
conducted in a classroom setting, most information will be given to
the public in the form of brochures, flyers, and newspaper articles.

Notes

FEMA and the Red Cross both have materials to assist the
public during the recovery phase. A listing of currently available
materials can be found in the appendix. Communities with a
significant flood threat may want to stockpile some of these
materials and be prepared to request or reprint additional items as
the need or flood threat develops.

Informational packets and information should be readily
available to the public. Good distribution outlets include disaster
assistance and relief centers, supermarkets, hardware stores, and
other locations where cleaning/restoration materials are sold.
Other good locations to distribute materials are at entry or security
check points that lead into the disaster zone. Children can bring
packets of information home from school and local media outlets
can assist in this program.

Do not wait until the last minute to begin the distribution of
recovery information. The earlier tile information is made
available to the public, the more effective it will be.

Some private restoration and recovery firms have excellent
information packets for use by their potential clients. This is
particularly true for niche firms tltat deal with disaster recovery
areas like data and record preservation. Flood damaged records
and data are problem areas where quick action must be taken to
prevent the further deterioration of materials.

Provisions,must be made for the removal and disposal of flood
debris, water damaged furnishings, personal items, and the
eventual removal of expedient flood works. Many of these
materials will end up in community land fills, but in certain
instances ~ontaminated items may have to be packaged and
handled as hazardous or regulated waste.

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