Task Force Helps Post-Flood Rebuilding Efforts

Since a disaster was declared in Southeast Texas June 9 due to Tropical Storm Allison, a special federal and state task force has been working to address the widespread flood damages at the Texas Medical Center campus.

Comprised of almost 60 members, the Texas Medical Center Task Force was established in recognition of the unique and significant recovery challenges on the campus. These challenges include the number of institutions, the extreme level of damage, and the critical nature of the mission of Texas Medical Center institutions.

A key focus of both the task force and the affected Texas Medical Center institutions has been identifying ways to rebuild that will make campus facilities more resistant to flooding and other disasters.

"We have been impressed by the strong desire on the part of Texas Medical Center institutions to improve their ability to withstand future flood events," said David Fukutomi, Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer for the task force. "Mitigation will be vital to the long-term recovery and sustainability of the medical center campus."

Meaningful mitigation funding will be available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Texas Medical Center institutions so that future disaster damages might be limited, he added.

The Public Assistance Program will look to fund cost-effective measures that can be implemented at the time of rebuilding to reduce or eliminate the high cost of repeated flooding. Under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, funds will be available on a competitive basis for facilities not directly damaged by the disaster but for which a high level of flood risk exists.

In addition to mitigation assistance, FEMA will reimburse for debris removal and other out-of-pocket emergency expenses, as well as for the more tangible kinds of losses not covered by insurance, such as building and equipment damage. The task force has teams of specialists in fields such as cost estimating, engineering, insurance, and environmental and historical review working directly with the eligible Texas Medical Center institutions to expedite the delivery of federal disaster aid.

To date, the task force has held formal kick-off meetings with the 16 Texas Medical Center institutions that qualify for the PA Program. An applicants' briefing has also been held for those interested in applying for HMGP funds.

"This has been a collaborative effort among the state, FEMA, other federal agencies and the Texas Medical Center institutions," said Dell Greer, Deputy State Coordinating Officer for the task force. "Considerable progress has already been made, and continued partnership will be the key in the weeks and months ahead as we strive to help the Texas Medical Center build back safer and stronger."

In addition to the Texas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA, the task force includes representatives from the Texas Insurance Department and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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