Marking 13 years since Hurricane Sandy amid Hurricane Melissa

Key Concepts

• Hurricane Sandy (2012)
• Vulnerable populations (seniors, low-income individuals)
• Rebuilding "as they should have been" vs. "as they were"
• Fortification and resilience
• Community-level protections
• Pre-disaster investment in infrastructure
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
• HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development)
• Legislative action for disaster recovery funding

Hurricane Sandy: Impact and Recovery

This discussion focuses on the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, drawing parallels to the current devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean. Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Jamaica as a Category One storm on October 24th, 2012, strengthening to Category Three before hitting Cuba and then the Bahamas. It was later downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone before impacting Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Key Statistics and Impact

• Fatalities: Sandy was directly responsible for 147 deaths across all affected countries, with 72 fatalities in the U.S.
• Economic Damages: The storm caused an estimated $88.5 billion in damages across the U.S., making it the fifth costliest storm in the country's history.

Approach to Rebuilding and Recovery

Shaun Donovan, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Chair of the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, outlines a two-pronged approach to disaster recovery:

1. Prioritizing Vulnerable Populations

Donovan emphasizes that those most vulnerable before a storm are always hit the hardest. This includes:

• Seniors: Individuals with mobility issues who require early evacuation.
• Low-income individuals: Those who may lack transportation or immediate support networks, often filling shelters during disasters.

The focus must be on protecting these groups in advance and ensuring their housing and swift return to stability in the aftermath.

2. Rebuilding for Resilience ("As They Should Have Been")

A critical lesson learned from Sandy and Hurricane Katrina is the necessity of not rebuilding communities as they were, but rather as they should have been. This means:

• Adapting to Climate Change: Recognizing that storms are becoming more frequent and intense, rebuilding efforts must incorporate measures to withstand future events.
• Individual Home Fortification: Building homes differently, out of harm's way, and implementing measures like fortified roofs.
• Community-Level Protections: Investing in sound, system-wide protections at the community level. Donovan cites ongoing flood mitigation projects in Manhattan as an example of this long-term approach.
• Opportunity in Crisis: Viewing the crisis as an opportunity to rethink and build differently to avoid future damage.

Funding and Policy Challenges

Donovan highlights significant challenges in providing adequate and timely funding for disaster recovery and mitigation:

• Post-Disaster Funding: While the U.S. generally provides funding after a storm, there are instances where this funding is delayed or insufficient (e.g., wildfire recovery in Southern California).
• Pre-Disaster Investment: The country is less adept at providing funding for measures that protect communities before a storm hits.
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program:
  • Role: CDBG disaster recovery funds are crucial for long-term rebuilding, complementing FEMA's immediate response.
  • Issue: The program is not permanent. Congress must rewrite the statute and program for each disaster, leading to a lack of predictability and efficiency.
  • Need: A permanent CDBG program with established rules and processes is essential for predictable and timely recovery.

Donovan mentions a piece of legislation currently before Congress that aims to address these issues and urges its passage.

Conclusion

The discussion underscores the critical need for proactive, resilient rebuilding strategies in the face of increasing storm intensity. Prioritizing vulnerable populations and investing in infrastructure that builds communities back stronger and safer is paramount. The current system for disaster funding, particularly the ad-hoc nature of CDBG, needs reform to ensure predictable and efficient recovery for affected areas.