Wednesday, June 08, 2011
...[Mayor] Scott reiterated his city's plan to think long-term and not temporary. He said efforts are under way to build the city back stronger and better. ...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tuscaloosa BOE member sees need for partnership with City
Unlike Greensburg, Tuscaloosa didn’t lose all its school building in its recent tornado experience, simply because it had over a dozen campuses rather than two buildings. It did, however, suffer the loss of two campuses, and those in perhaps the poorest part of a town with a relatively high poverty rate.
... She later told The Signal she learned a great deal from USD 422 Superintendent Darin Headrick, particularly in terms of how he and his board prioritized its rebuilding plans and went about finding the dollars needed from a variety of sources....
... She later told The Signal she learned a great deal from USD 422 Superintendent Darin Headrick, particularly in terms of how he and his board prioritized its rebuilding plans and went about finding the dollars needed from a variety of sources....
NOLA touted as example for clean energy technology usage
June 8TH, 2011
The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are sharing some of their recent work together to show communities and cities throughout the country how integrated clean energy solutions can be used on a large scale.
Among the recent success stories they are using as examples are ones in the New Orleans area.
After Hurricane Katrina, the agencies united to provide a push for the area to embrace energy efficiency standards during the rebuilding process. So far, the message seems to have worked.
The city has built schools that are 30 percent more efficient than code, and the Regional Transit Authority added 39 biodiesel buses to their fleet in New Orleans and Kenner. These projects were made possible by the DOE, NREL and the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership.
Recently, the New Orleans area was selected as one of 25 Solar America Cities by the Department of Energy.
Greensburg, Kansas, is also being used as an example of an energy efficiency leader based on the area’s rebuilding process after a 2007 tornado that destroyed 95 percent of the city.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are sharing some of their recent work together to show communities and cities throughout the country how integrated clean energy solutions can be used on a large scale.
Among the recent success stories they are using as examples are ones in the New Orleans area.
After Hurricane Katrina, the agencies united to provide a push for the area to embrace energy efficiency standards during the rebuilding process. So far, the message seems to have worked.
The city has built schools that are 30 percent more efficient than code, and the Regional Transit Authority added 39 biodiesel buses to their fleet in New Orleans and Kenner. These projects were made possible by the DOE, NREL and the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership.
Recently, the New Orleans area was selected as one of 25 Solar America Cities by the Department of Energy.
Greensburg, Kansas, is also being used as an example of an energy efficiency leader based on the area’s rebuilding process after a 2007 tornado that destroyed 95 percent of the city.
Municipally-owned equipment destruction reaches $35 million
...April’s tornadoes statewide destroyed 191 municipally owned buildings, 122 vehicles and about 10 pieces of equipment. The total municipal cost is estimated at $35 million, according to Steve Wells, president of the Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation.
“Some municipalities ... only have a vehicle or two destroyed and then (there are) Hackleburg and Phil Campbell, which are pretty much devastated,” Wells said...
Mennonites, Amish helping Phil Campbell recover
...This week, the Mennonite Disaster Service brought in its first 13 volunteer workers from Lancaster County, Pa., who will rotate out when another group of Mennonites and Amish workers replace them Sunday.
Their first construction project is nearly completed — Camp Bell — which will eventually be able to house 40 workers who could stay in the region for months or more than a year....
...The Mennonite Disaster Service joins several other faith-based groups in the recovery and rebuilding efforts throughout Phil Campbell, including the United Methodist Disaster Recovery Ministry, chapters of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Christian Aid Ministries and the Churches of Christ disaster relief effort.
The Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that includes the Mennonites and the more conservative Amish....
...Phil Campbell joins Birmingham as the two locations in Alabama chosen by federal emergency management officials for the Mennonite Disaster Service, said Jerry Klassen, disaster response coordinator.
Their first construction project is nearly completed — Camp Bell — which will eventually be able to house 40 workers who could stay in the region for months or more than a year....
...The Mennonite Disaster Service joins several other faith-based groups in the recovery and rebuilding efforts throughout Phil Campbell, including the United Methodist Disaster Recovery Ministry, chapters of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Christian Aid Ministries and the Churches of Christ disaster relief effort.
The Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that includes the Mennonites and the more conservative Amish....
...Phil Campbell joins Birmingham as the two locations in Alabama chosen by federal emergency management officials for the Mennonite Disaster Service, said Jerry Klassen, disaster response coordinator.
Volunteers said the effort could take up to two years, but Klassen said the group would stay as long as the "four pillars" of the program are available.
The first pillar consists of volunteers capable of helping to repair and rebuild. The second pillar is the support system for workers such as vehicles and equipment. The third pillar is making sure the work is meaningful, specifically targeted to vulnerable residents such as single parents, elderly, low-income or handicapped residents. ...
Economists say tornado outbreak impact could dampen Alabama's recovery
While construction workers will stay busy rebuilding thousands of damaged and destroyed homes and businesses, that activity will be offset by a temporary loss of jobs and lower tax revenues in communities affected by the twisters, they say.
"It's going to have a significant negative impact on Alabama for the near future," said Jennings Marshall, an economics professor at Samford University's Brock School of Business.
Published: Tuesday, May 03, 2011, Birmingham News
[Alabama] Memorandum: Let's ensure we finish recovery
The memorandum was written by Bill Horton, north Alabama president of Regions Bank
Published: Thursday, June 09, 2011
....Nearly six years after Hurricane Katrina, the work of rebuilding communities, businesses, homes and lives continues, which is important to note because we are beginning a similar, long and difficult journey. One important lesson we and others learned from that disaster is that the needs persist much longer than the headlines. Compassion fatigue makes it difficult to maintain the same attention and concern expressed immediately after a traumatic event. For reasons understandable and predictable, our attention wanes. Our energies are redirected to the next crisis. What is eventually out of sight is out of mind.
But for our friends and neighbors in need in Tuscaloosa, Hackleburg, Phil Campbell, Cullman, Concord, Pleasant Grove, Pratt City, and elsewhere, after the shipments of water, money and donations of clothes - all desperately needed - stop, what next? Do we have the will to travel the long journey from aftermath to afterward? We must, with unflagging perseverance, continue not for a day or a week or a month, but until the job is complete.
It's easy to commit to making this community better -- but the true test is whether that commitment is borne out on the proving ground of this unprecedented disaster. The proof will be new pictures of rebuilt lives, reborn communities and renewal...
Read More...
Read More...
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Video of Damage in Ringgold Georgia
Ringgold was one of the most impacted communities in GA after the April 2011 tornados.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Nashville Releases Long Term Recovery Plan and Metro CDBG Action Plan
Nashville Long Term Recovery Plan, Apr 2011 - PDF File
Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Action Plan for Disaster Recovery, Feb 2011
Utilizing Supplemental CDBG Disaster Funding
Nashville Flood Recovery Website
Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Action Plan for Disaster Recovery, Feb 2011
Utilizing Supplemental CDBG Disaster Funding
Nashville Flood Recovery Website
Opportunities and Challenges for Nature-based Tourism in Chambers County” will be the topic at the first Annual Meeting of the Chambers Recovery Team (“ChaRT”)
Nature Tourism for Chambers County
Public Meeting, May 26th, 2011 5:30pm
“Opportunities and Challenges for Nature-based Tourism in Chambers County”
Location: The NEW National Wildlife Refuge’sVisitor Center,
Chambers County is rich in the natural resources that are attractive to nature tourists. Is the county ready to take advantage of this fast growing sector of the tourism industry? What is needed to better position the county for growth in this arena?
“Opportunities and Challenges for Nature-based Tourism in Chambers County” will be the topic at the first Annual Meeting of the Chambers Recovery Team (“ChaRT”), to be held on the evening of May 26 at the new Visitor Center of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service., beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and opportunities to explore the new U.S. Fish & Wildlife Visitor Center, 4017 FM 563, Anahuac. The speaker will be Miles Phillips, Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University and Extension Specialist for AgriLife Extension.
This first ChaRT Annual Meeting, to be held at 6:30pm will also provide an opportunity to learn more about the new organization. ChaRT is dedicated to assisting with implementation of the Long Term Community Recovery Plan for Chambers County, which was a community-based plan developed after Hurricane Ike with FEMA assistance. Board members represent all the geographic areas of the county and many diverse interests.
One of the projects identified in the Long Term Community Recovery Plan was “Ecotourism Marketing and Outreach.” The project’s definition was to “Increase awareness of Chambers County as an ecotourism destination, through branding, marketing, signage, and festival events.” The project goals were to attract additional ecotourism to Chambers County and restore parks and facilities that attract visitors to the County.
Through AgriLife’s nature tourism program, Mr. Phillips provides educational and training programs throughout Texas, and also assists in other parts of the nation. ChaRT has engaged Mr. Phillips to conduct the first phase of a Nature Tourism Initiative in Chambers County. Future information will be posted at http://www.chamberswild.com
R.S.V.P. 409-267-3142 or linda.shead@sheadconservation.com
“Opportunities and Challenges for Nature-based Tourism in Chambers County”
Location: The NEW National Wildlife Refuge’sVisitor Center,
Chambers County is rich in the natural resources that are attractive to nature tourists. Is the county ready to take advantage of this fast growing sector of the tourism industry? What is needed to better position the county for growth in this arena?
“Opportunities and Challenges for Nature-based Tourism in Chambers County” will be the topic at the first Annual Meeting of the Chambers Recovery Team (“ChaRT”), to be held on the evening of May 26 at the new Visitor Center of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service., beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and opportunities to explore the new U.S. Fish & Wildlife Visitor Center, 4017 FM 563, Anahuac. The speaker will be Miles Phillips, Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University and Extension Specialist for AgriLife Extension.
This first ChaRT Annual Meeting, to be held at 6:30pm will also provide an opportunity to learn more about the new organization. ChaRT is dedicated to assisting with implementation of the Long Term Community Recovery Plan for Chambers County, which was a community-based plan developed after Hurricane Ike with FEMA assistance. Board members represent all the geographic areas of the county and many diverse interests.
One of the projects identified in the Long Term Community Recovery Plan was “Ecotourism Marketing and Outreach.” The project’s definition was to “Increase awareness of Chambers County as an ecotourism destination, through branding, marketing, signage, and festival events.” The project goals were to attract additional ecotourism to Chambers County and restore parks and facilities that attract visitors to the County.
Through AgriLife’s nature tourism program, Mr. Phillips provides educational and training programs throughout Texas, and also assists in other parts of the nation. ChaRT has engaged Mr. Phillips to conduct the first phase of a Nature Tourism Initiative in Chambers County. Future information will be posted at http://www.chamberswild.com
R.S.V.P. 409-267-3142 or linda.shead@sheadconservation.com
Uphill Struggle for Poultry Industry
CULLMAN — Tornado damage assessments for Cullman County remain incomplete, but one rising area of concern is the impact on the area's farming community.
Schools look at next step [Hackleburg and Phil Campbell]
Both Hackleburg and Phil Campbell school officials are slowly learning how to move forward after both towns suffered enormous losses during the April tornado, including losses affecting their schools, which have been the hub of each community.
Tornado damage whipped Saban into action in Holt
Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-05-31/tornado-damage-whipped-saban-into-action#ixzz1OPaZLUwD
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