Mitigation Best Practices

BELLE CHASSE, LA – Hurricane Isaac’s winds, rain and flooding were a big test for the new Plaquemines Parish Government Administrative Headquarters. The building, purchased shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, was refitted with exterior storm panels beginning in 2010.

WISCONSIN - In 2005, the agency charged with helping safeguard the State of Wisconsin against the impacts of all types of disasters initiated a significant undertaking: to conduct a 100-year flood risk-and-loss estimate that could apply to the entire state. While still engaged in that ambitious project, Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) has also been preparing for the launch of a second statewide assessment, one that will utilize the powerful processing abilities of HAZUS-MH methodology.

DARLINGTON, WI - Several communities in the State of Wisconsin experience repetitive flooding. The City of Darlington is one that has successfully reduced its risk through a variety of flood mitigation measures. In cooperation with The Wisconsin Emergency Management and Department of Natural Resources (DNR), they created a video to encourage other communities to follow in Darlington's example.

WAKE COUNTY, NC – On April 16, 2011, Chris Crew was at home in Wake County, NC, looking out of his second floor window wondering where his wife and daughter were. Crew, the State Hazard Mitigation Officer for North Carolina’s Division of Emergency Management, had watched for 2 days as a series of devastating storms tore through the southeast, causing significant destruction and numerous fatalities. Now, on the computer screens behind him, radar images clearly displayed the telltale signs of a tornado forming over the town of Sanford only 40 miles away.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Vaulting walls of glass surround the entire lobby of the Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. Concert Hall at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. When Hurricane Frances (2004) came through, it severely damaged the roof membrane allowing rain to enter the building. This, in turn, resulted in severe damage to the interior of the structure. While work was underway to repair the roof and restore the interior, Hurricane Jeanne arrived.