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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: LESSONS FROM KATRINA AND RITA --------------------------------------------------------------- “PLANNING VS. REACTION: LESSONS LEARNED FROM HURRICANE RITA”. Richard Bothel Executive Director Continuing and Distance Education Lamar University.
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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: LESSONS FROM KATRINA AND RITA --------------------------------------------------------------- “PLANNING VS. REACTION: LESSONS LEARNED FROM HURRICANE RITA” Richard Bothel Executive Director Continuing and Distance Education Lamar University Thanks to Dr. Steve Doblin, Provost, Lamar University, for his assistance with the content of this presentation.
BACKGROUNDDiscussions Before Rita Hit • ImpactWeather • Meetings With LU Community Leaders • Closure of University • Actions by Physical Plant and Deans • Buses to Transport Students to Corrigan • IT Resources Protection • Generators (6 buildings) • Communication
COMMUNICATION • NOTIFICATION OF LU COMMUNITY • E-MAIL ADDRESSES • CELL PHONE NUMBERS • ALTERNATE WEB SITE
THE SITUATION CHANGES • VOLUNTARY VS. MANDATORY EVACUATION • UNIVERSITY CLOSES ON SEPT. 21 • “WE’LL BE BACK ON MONDAY” MENTALITY • IMPACTWEATHER WAS WRONG! • MATAGORDA BAY TO BEAUMONT • ROLE OF UNIVERSITY POLICE
RITA’S WRATH • HIT TEXAS COAST AT 2:30 A.M. ON 9/24 • UNEXPECTEDLY TURNED EAST • DAMAGE TO 80+% OF LU BUILDINGS • LOSS OF 20 MAJOR ROOFS • 870 DORM ROOMS WITH WATER INFILTRATION, ALSO CLASSROOMS • 8TH FLOOR OF LIBRARY DEVASTATED • TREES UPROOTED THROUGHOUT CAMPUS • NO POWER FOR 8 DAYS • MARTIAL LAW • … AND RITA WENT TO CORRIGAN!
Hurricane Rita @ Lamar University Sept. 24, 2005
INTIAL ACTIONS • 4 POLICE REMAINED THROUGHOUT • DECISION TO MOVE BEFORE MONEY • PRESIDENT CONTACTS CONTRATORS • BACK ON CAMPUS SUNDAY TO PLAN • HIRED WORKERS AND DISASTER RECOVERY CONSULTANT • COMMAND POST AND ASSESSMENT ON MONDAY … IN THE DARK • WORKERS ON ROOFS IMMEDIATELY
EARLY DECISIONS • PAY FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS FOR DURATION • REFUND DORM RENT, MEAL PLAN COSTS • FULL TUITION REFUNDS FOR WITHDRAWAL DUE TO HURRICANE IMPACT • DEVELOP ALTERNATE ACADEMIC CALENDAR SCENARIOS – GOAL WAS TO FINISH FALL SEMESTER
EARLY DECISIONS • PRIORITIZE REPAIRS, EMPHASIZE DORMS, LIBRARY, ACADEMIC FACILTIES, MONTAGNE CENTER • KEEP LU COMMUNITY INFORMED VIA BLOG ON ALTERNATE WEB SITE • CREATE PICTORIAL HISTORY (“BEFORE & AFTER”) • KEEP LOCAL NEWS SOURCES INFORMED
ACTIONS AND RESULTS • SPENT $23 MILLION FOR “BAND-AID” • DORM ROOMS RE-SHEETROCKED, PAINTNED, RECARPETED, CONTENTS CLEANED • ROOMS HEATED TO 160o , WATER REMOVED, FANS TO HEAT/DRY • MOLD REMEDIATION (HIRED LOCALS) • POWER BACK ON IN 8 DAYS (ASSESSED DAMAGE IN THE DARK)