Uniquely Ike
The response and recovery operation in Texas, just prior to and following the onslaught of Hurricane Ike, gave the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its partners an opportunity to use new, creative ideas, test pilot projects, launch innovative housing initiatives and offer program adjustments and extensions.
FIRSTS
- Deaf Link. FEMA used special communications equipment at a FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center to help applicants with hearing impairments apply for disaster assistance. The first recovery center to use this technology - called Deaf Link - was in Houston at the Ellington Joint Reserve Base.
- Alternate Manufactured Housing. Some Texans displaced from their homes as a result of Hurricane Ike were the first to occupy a new type of manufactured home built especially for FEMA under a new initiative. The new models, which have two bedrooms, one bathroom and about 616 square feet of living space, are sleeker than the mobile homes and larger than the park models. More important, these homes are made with products that emit no or low amounts of formaldehyde.
- Rental Repair Pilot Program. This pilot program was launched in Texas for the first time after Hurricane Ike. Under the program, FEMA worked with a landlord to fund the cost of repairing 32 units in a hurricane-damaged Galveston complex for use by displaced Texans.
- Combination of Recovery Centers. More than 130 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) (mobile and stationary) and Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRIC) were opened in the hurricane-impacted areas. The MRICs provided disaster victims with a place to go to use phones or computers to register with FEMA. The DRCs provided face-to-face assistance at stationary locations or on buses that traveled to the affected areas.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- More than 100 FEMA Community Relations specialists were on hand before the storm hit - including speakers of Spanish, Korean, Laotian and Vietnamese - supporting shelter operations by tracking needs and relaying information to state officials.
- While Texans were evacuating, FEMA launched its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for temporary stays in hotels. Nearly 35,000 Texans were assisted under the TSA initiative.
- A Texas Joint Housing Solutions Task Force was created almost immediately after the storm to look at housing options and solutions for victims.
- Housing inspectors began assessing damages resulting from Ike just 24 hours after the storm.
- In less than a week the first four Disaster Recovery Centers opened to provide direct assistance to Hurricane Ike victims.
- During the first week after the storm, FEMA Individual Assistance specialists started working with the state of Texas to confirm the locations of mobile home parks in the region.
- By the second week after the storm hit, FEMA installed the first of more than 3,500 manufactured homes in private, commercial and community parks for displaced Texans.
- Ten days after the hurricane, FEMA signed an interagency agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP-Ike) for eligible applicants.
- A disaster-specific Web site was created to keep everyone informed. The site, at www.fema.gov/ike, includes an interactive map offering publicly accessible Public Assistance and Individual Assistance information, a weekly message from the Federal Coordinating Officer and an online information widget that can be downloaded and used by media outlets and other stakeholders.
- New media technology was fully used. Social networks such as Twitter and YouTube were used to share information, along with field-produced webisodes and downloadable radio clips.
MEETING CONTINUING NEEDS
- The FEMA registration period was extended four times. Registration began on Sept. 13, 2008, and ended on February 20, 2009. The usual 60 days for registration lasted for five months.
- Texas received several cost-share adjustments for debris removal. In the end, the state was granted 100 percent debris removal reimbursement from Sept. 13, 2008, to April 26, 2009.
- The Transitional Sheltering Assistance initiative was extended three times. It was scheduled to end after just one month, but was extended until March 13, 2009.
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FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621 FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 10-Mar-2009 10:15:57 EDT