Disaster Recovery: 2012 National Extension Technology Conference
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This document summarizes UVM Extension's role in disaster recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Irene, which caused extensive flooding and damage across Vermont in August 2011. It describes how UVM Extension quickly shifted resources to support recovery, conducting damage assessments, distributing information, and coordinating relief efforts. Key tools used included smartphones, conference calls, SharePoint, websites and social media to communicate and manage recovery paperwork. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of establishing partnerships and emergency plans ahead of disasters.
Disaster Recovery: 2012 National Extension Technology Conference
- 1. Disaster Recovery: You CAN Get There From Here Cathy Yandow Webmaster & Communications Support Specialist UVM Extension May 29, 2012
- 2. Key Story Points • Vermont geography • Storm & damage • UVM Extension’s role in post-Irene recovery • Tools UVM Extension used • Lessons learned
- 3. New England Geography • “You can’t get there from here” • Mountains, valleys, rivers • Few direct routes between points • Towns, roads, railroads parallel rivers http://www.vpr.net/community/gallery/157/, GMRC
- 4. The Green Mountain State August 31, 2011. Waitsfield, Vt. www.mansfieldheliflight.com
- 6. Timeline • August 25-26: • Based on weather forecast, constructed “preparedness” site • Saturday/Sunday, August 27-28: • “Irene” hit Vermont • Monday, Labor Day, August 29: • NW Vermont not as hard hit as other areas of state • Switch to recovery-based resources • Friday, September 2 : • EDEN conference call
- 7. Preparedness Site • Vt. state plan commitment • August 25-26 - Emergency planning resources: – FEMA – NOAA – Vt. State Emergency Management links – EDEN & CES resources (e.g., LSU, NDSU, etc.) – eXtension – American Red Cross
- 8. Preparedness Site • Emergency supply info • Preparing for flooding & power outages • Pet & livestock safety • Post-storm food safety • Property clean-up safety
- 9. Irene’s Track • Slow movement up Atlantic seaboard, storm picked up more rain than forecast • Southwest to northeast -- New York State & New England • Across the “spine of the state,” the mountains • Mountainous terrain, slowing of storm, rain = torrential rain, flooding
- 10. Storm Damage • 14-county disaster declaration • Vt. National Guard assisted by Guard from 6 other states (Maine, Illinois, Ohio, NH, South Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia) • 260 roads closed (not including municipal road segments) • 531 miles closed • 33 state highway bridges closed • 200 bridges damaged
- 11. Storm Damage • Rail line damage, 107 washouts • 200 miles of rail line impassable • 6 rail bridges badly damaged • Power outages • 13 landlocked towns • Flood waters damaged 400+ acres for fruit & vegetable production (estimated to approximate $2.24 million)
- 13. August 31, 2011. Hancock, Vt. www.mansfieldheliflight.com
- 14. UVM Extension • Recovery efforts started Labor Day, Aug. 29 • Chittenden County less damaged • UVM & UVM Extension offices, services uninterrupted • Nearly 100% Extension personnel available (several lived in communities isolated by flooding) • Build on existing relationships with state agencies, FSA, legislators, others
- 15. UVM Extension • Focus: – Damage assessment assistance to farmers – Information distribution to Extension colleagues & public – Website became comprehensive information source – Social media use to broaden reach – “Boots on the ground”/cleanup activities – Ag workshops on feed/forage safety
- 17. Coordinating Role • Vt. Ag Agency infrastructure badly damaged • Extension able to provide means to provide outreach to damaged farms • Needed ability to visit farms (some isolated), document damage, take photos, manage intake paperwork
- 18. State Infrastructure • VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) losses – Offices flooded – Web site • Overwhelming need & request for services “Rebuild Waterbury” photo gallery http://rebuildwaterbury.org
- 19. Equine specialist Betsy Greene coordinated delivery of emergency feed to horse operations in Rochester, Vt.
- 20. Extension’s ‘Irene’ Toolbox • Smart phones • Conference calls • SharePoint • iPads • Web site • Social media
- 21. Smart Phones • Consistent communication • Damage documentation, photos Flooding damaged 6,000+ acres of corn in Vermont, creating a serious feed shortage on many farms.
- 22. Conference Calls • Daily (less frequently as needs changed) • COORDINATE tasks, information distribution • Assess current situation, needs, priorities, problems, brainstorm solutions • Dean, faculty specialists, program staff, admin staff, web staff
- 23. iPad • 3G/4G enabled for statewide use • Complete on-site completion & collection of intake damage assessment forms • Upload to SharePoint site for review by VAAFM, transfer to FSA
- 24. SharePoint • “VT Farm Disaster Response”: • UVM Extension • VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) • Natural Resource Conservation Districts/VT Association of Conservation Districts • Confidential intake/assessment forms (needed for assistance) • Centralized paperwork management • Team discussions
- 25. SharePoint Printable resources & forms • Vt. Ag Agency resources for farmers • “Be Familiar with Crop Damage Reporting Requirements” (info sheet) • Damage Assessment Form • “What to Do Next” (recovery guide, info sheet for farmers) • Unemployment Information factsheet (pdf) • “Interpreting the Results of Soil Tests for Heavy Metals” (info sheet)
- 26. SharePoint • Intake/upload of Damage Assessment Forms (confidential, used by FSA) • Excel spreadsheets • Needs / Donations • Farm assistance (manpower!) requests • Requests for goods, money, assistance & donations managed via Excel spreadsheets • Conference call notes
- 27. Web Site/Social Media • General information for farmers, public & colleagues – News & updates from: • Media • Local municipalities • State government & agencies • Federal agencies (FEMA, USDA) – CES, EDEN, eXtension resources
- 28. Web Site/Social Media – Farms – Families & Stress – Finance & Taxes – Food Safety, – Homes – Schools – Donations, volunteering, community fundraising
- 29. Web Site • Ag & business information – Damage documentation forms, process, where to get assistance – Natural resource impact – including property tax changes – Factsheets on taxes, unemployment, crops, forage, etc. – Extension services & state emergency programs
- 30. August 29, 2011. Bolton, Vt. www.mansfieldheliflight.com
- 31. University of Vermont • UVM Interim president former Extension/College of Ag colleague – Office space for Vt. Ag agency personnel – 2 days per person volunteer time – Clean-up crew days – students, faculty, staff
- 32. UVM Testing Labs • Heavy metals testing • Mycotoxin testing & research set up • Ongoing assessment
- 33. Reconstruction Update – All rail lines reopened within 3 weeks of storm – Rail lines transported road-building materials – All roads, bridges reopened by December 31, 2011 – Mild early winter -- “Last mile”, route 107, paved, opened December 29 – May 2012 - families, businesses still displaced & rebuilding – Name “Irene” retired
- 34. Lessons Learned • Before a disaster: – Be familiar with any state or institution emergency plans – Assess skills, interests, knowledge within your organization – Inventory resources before an emergency strikes – Know national CES, eXtension, EDEN resources – Partners & relationships matter
- 35. Lessons Learned • After a disaster: – Communication – Be organized – Vet content as much as possible – Use national CES, eXtension, EDEN resources