Lessons Learned From Hurricane Katrina

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Lessons Learned From Hurricane Katrina

• Anna P. Hurt, Superintendent
• Ocean Springs School District
• February 2006

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Ocean Springs, originally founded in 1699, is
known as the City of Discovery for its place in
the history of the Gulf Coast region. This downed
historic marker is one sign that the city and her
people are now looking towards the future to
recovery.
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The OCEAN SPRINGS Community
ZIP Code 39564 Census Data Population 31,819 Land
Area 57.44 miles Housing Units 12,894 Water
Area 0.40 miles Total Area 57.85
miles Population Density 553.91 Housing
Density 224.46 Density per square mile of
land area.
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• A Mid-Sized City Hard Hit by a Historic Hurricane
• 30 of Ocean Springs residences are heavily
  damaged
• 10 of the citys homes have been destroyed
  (literally gone or damaged beyond repair)
• A significant loss of jobs due to the devastation
  of businesses in and around Ocean Springs
• Transportation is severely impacted, with major
  thoroughfares lost along with the bridges that
  connect the many waterfront communities

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The Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge was the road to
and from work for thousands of area residents it
is estimated that it will take nearly two years
to rebuild the bridge -- most of the jobs
awaiting on the other side were also victims of
Katrina.
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Roads and bridges arent the only traffic
accidents left in Katrinas wake automobiles are
at a premium following record losses due to storm
surge and downed trees. Rail lines suffered
similarly.
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Homes throughout Ocean Springs were chosen for
a personal visit from Katrina, and clean up
efforts place residents personal property more
outside than in
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except in the far too many cases where there is
no longer any inside and residents are left to
sort through the ruins of their family home
looking for heirlooms and mementos.
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• Severe blows taken by community support systems
  such as the public schools and the local Boys
  Girls Club
• Quality of life affected by the loss of parks and
  recreation facilities
• Historic Districts nearly demolished
• Overwhelming impact on tax base and commercial
  interests

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This private residence, designed and built by
noted Chicago architects Louis Sullivan and Frank
Lloyd Wright, is one of the many historically
significant structures lost.
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Safe harbor wasnt safe for the many recreational
and commercial water craft which were damaged by
the storm, like these boats which sought refuge
along a tributary of Fort Bayou.
Sailboats safe in the Ocean Springs Harbor
pre-Katrina.
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• All of the campuses of the Ocean Springs School
  District sustained damage, with an estimated 35
  - 50 of faculty, staff and children suffering
  the loss of their homes, cars, and personal
  possessions.

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• As Katrina came ashore on August 29, 2005, she
  pushed ahead of her a 35 foot tidal wave called a
  storm surge. For those who witnessed this event
  and the destruction that followed, life will
  never be the same.

Hurricane Katrina, August 29, 2005
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Before the Storm
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What we did..

• Began district preparations
• Reviewed policy, procedures, and handbooks
• Informed staff, students and parents
• Coordinated efforts with local emergency
  management personnel
• Secured buildings and contents
• Corresponded with other superintendents

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Established the Location for the Central Command
Post (CCP)

• Made ready the identified facility
• Power source adequate to support command post
• Publicized the location to personnel, students,
  parents and the community
• Possibly will need two locations
• Required staff to report to the CCP as soon as
  possible for identification and sign-in

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District Preparations Prior to the Storm

• Reviewed the District Crisis Management Plan
• Examined the District Public Relations Procedures
• Confirmed the district calling trees
• Verified all emergency numbers
• Established lines of communication with the first
  responders
• Conducted Administrative Team Meeting to review
  responsibilities and duties
• Prepared and secured buildings and content
• Put local vendors and contractors on notice

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During the Storm

• Superintendent was on site to make decisions
• The Principal of the shelter school has the
  responsibility to be on duty in his/her building.
• School Board members checked in at the CCP and
  were kept abreast of the recovery efforts.
• Worked with the City and County Emergency
  Operations Officials
• Had all shelter clients sign a Hold Harmless
  Agreement Release Form upon entering

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After The Storm
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What We Did and Lessons Learned

• Became caretakers
• Sought school personnel volunteers to assist
• Collected all perishable foods from the schools
  and transported them to the shelter
• Stationed all shelter clients within view of the
  Shelter Managers on duty
• Asked for help from the shelter clients
  expertise
• Arranged supervision with the local law
  enforcement and/or military personnel
• Gathered any information regarding other staff
  members that were still missing.
• Principals and supervisory personnel were given
  the sign-in lists to determine for whom they
  needed to account.

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During the Early Recovery at the CCP

• Stationed school buses at the CCP
• Sought and provided clothing
• Prepared and served food
• Provided available information to adults
• Provided entertainment for children
• Television
• Movies for children
• Designated a person to receive donations and
  calls for assistance.

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Recovery in the School District

• Maintenance Department assessed damage to school
  properties
• Transportation Department surveyed area damage
  that would affect bus routes
• Prepared special Professional Development for
  staff
• Counselors planned programs for the students,
  staff, and parents
• Welcome Back programs and ceremonies were
  planned at each school
• Contacts were made with FEMA and Insurance
  Representatives
• Principals reviewed staffing and enrollment data

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The Next Time

• Develop an identification process for those
  entering the CCP
• Develop rules for remaining at the CCP
• Publicize the Media Sources That Will Cover
  District News
• Local television stations
• Radio stations and frequencies

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• Locations where information will be posted
• School Buildings
• City Hall
• Churches
• American Red Cross Shelters
• Types of public notices and the delivery methods
• Posters hung on school doors
• Flyers taken to critical points
• Newspaper articles published
• Interviews on local television stations and radio
  stations were accomplished.

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What We Learned

• The School played a critical role during and
  after the storm.
• Must have staff volunteers
• Be prepared to survive days before help arrives
• Basics food, water, restrooms facilities
• Extras - hygiene supplies, bedding
• Medical assistance nurses or medical staff -
  otc medicines, supplies, baby formula, diapers
• Needed more approved American Red Cross Shelters
  for our area
• Must have medical personnel on duty at all times

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• Because school personnel are so dependable,
  resourceful, and flexible, they are given much to
  handle.
• The State Department of Education, specifically
  the State Superintendent, was involved and lead
  the response efforts and recovery process for the
  school districts on the Gulf Coast.
• The Governor, his staff, the legislators, the
  State School Board, and the congressional
  delegation worked with and for us.
• Faith-based organizations, volunteers, schools,
  school districts, businesses, and gracious
  individuals made enormous contributions and
  donations to our cause.
• Designated the PR person as the Point of Contact
  for Donations

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What we really learned

• You just do what has to be done!