Recovery and Reconstruction

The concept of recovery is often understood as the process of returning to the pre-disaster or, ideally, an improved situation in terms of buildings and homes, life-line systems and infrastructure, as well as economic and community vitality.

Recovery is a complex process, particularly where extensive physical damage requires wide-scale reconstruction. No problem exists in isolation; for example, housing restoration, economic rebuilding and infrastructure repair are all interconnected. The recovery process inevitably takes much longer than anticipated, possibly years longer, and costs much more than expected. Elected officials may experience pressure to hurry decisions and quickly return to pre-disaster status, though that may be undesirable or impossible. Significant disasters may forever alter the community, creating a "new" normal.

Long-term recovery and reconstruction following a major disaster can involve, among other things:

• Permanent repair and reconstruction of infrastructure, facilities, or property;
• Area-specific or city-wide redevelopment planning;
• Economic and business recovery; and
• Community revitalization

To manage a major post-disaster reconstruction process, the City will convene an Interdepartmental Recovery Team. This team helps prioritize repair and restoration projects, requests that recovery funding is made available, and advises the Mayor on long-term recovery goals and strategies. The Recovery Team will also work with other local, state and federal government agencies, as well as other local organizations to coordinate action and gain or share resources. At the Mayor's request, a Community Recovery Team may be constituted in order to harness the ideas and resources of the wider community into the recovery effort.

One example of a community-oriented activity is the hosting of public recovery events. Following the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake, the City coordinated a public event, called the Earthquake Recovery Forum to help connect city residents and businesses with the help they needed. The event featured information and speakers on topics including mental health, talking to children about disasters, FEMA assistance, building inspections, insurance issues, and home retrofit.