Rothstein Associates Inc.

PLANNING FOR DISASTER RECOVERY
by Christine Ohlsen and Claire B. Rubin
International City/County Management Association

“Each year natural disasters bring destruction and death to human settlements. No
community is immune to their havoc. As Hurricane Andrew reminded the nation, recovering
from large-scale disasters is neither easy nor quick. However, community leaders can
influence the ease and timeliness with which daily life resumes in the aftermath of a disaster.
This report gives local government managers the key elements of a successful disaster
recovery process and tools to use in creating and implementing a recovery plan.

“The recovery phase of disaster planning is described and recent experiences are reviewed.
A detailed matrix is included to aid communities in considering the many aspects of
recovery. Finally, recovery literature and lists of helpful organizations and resources are
provided for local government managers to use in designing their own recovery plan.”

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CONTENTS

GENERAL OVERVIEW
Personal Leadership
Ability to Act
Disaster Management and the New Information Technologies, by James W. Morentz, Ph.D.
Knowing What to Do

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RECOVERY
Federal Assistance
State Government
Local Government

CASE STUDIES
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - Hurricane Recovery, by A. William Moss
Background
Employee Mobilization
Communication
Contractual Relationships
Supplies and Equipment
Utility Restoration
Organizational Response
Security
Intergovernmental Cooperation and Assistance
Response to the Public
Looking Ahead
Scott County, Iowa - Flood Recovery, by H. L. “Bud” Whitfield
Community
Recovery Responsibilities
Recovery Plan Components
The Recovery Plan in Action
Recovery Plan Weaknesses
Federal and State Assistance
Volunteer/Private Sector Assistance
Mitigation
Recovery Plan Alterations

CONCLUSION

APPENDIX A: Recovery Literature

APPENDIX B: Community Recovery Matrix

APPENDIX C: Information Sources

APPENDIX D: State Emergency Management Offices

APPENDIX E: Territorial Emergency Management Offices

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

“Christine Ohlsen is a 1983 graduate of The George Washington University in Washington,
D.C., with a master’s degree in public administration. While pursuing her degree, she
worked for ICMA as a research assistant in the MIS Inquiry Service and as a program
assistant for the Citizenship Education Program.

“Claire B. Rubin is an independent consultant in Arlington, Virginia, in the field of emergency
management. She is the former director of natural disaster research projects, Center for
International Science and Technology Policy at the George Washington University,
Washington, D.C. She served as an advisor for hurricane recovery efforts in the aftermath of
Hurricane Andrew in Florida.”

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1993, 28 pages. Order #DR473.
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