Due to the common occurrence of hurricanes in the coastal state of North Carolina, hurricane recovery in North Carolina is a large component of the state's emergency management efforts. Recovery from these tremendous storms at the local and state level is a large part of the aftermath of a hurricane. Gavin Smith and Victor Flatt stated that "Disaster recovery remains the least understood aspect of hazards management, when assessed relative to preparedness, response, and hazard mitigation." Smith and Flatt also went on to state that the role of the states is even less understood.Smith, Gavin, and Flatt Victor."Assessing the Disaster Recovery Planning Capacity of the State of North Carolina." Institute for Homeland Security Solutions. n. page. Print. <>. The review of the plans and policies that instruct recovery, agencies involved, funding processes and budgets, and the environmental effects of a hurricane creates a better understanding of how North Carolina recovers from a hurricane.
In recent decades, a growing coastal population has led to hurricanes affecting larger numbers of people and causing greater amounts of damage. North Carolina is no different. During the 1990s North Carolina experienced a number of record setting hurricanes as a result of the increasing population in the state's coastal region. Between 1960 and 1990, Dare County was the 12th fastest growing county on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Physical processes of a hurricane Coastal storms cause a number of environmental impacts that must be addressed during the recovery process. According to Godschalk, Brower, and Beatley, coastal storms fall into two categories: hurricanes and all other coastal storms.. This is because unlike other coastal storms, hurricanes attack with two additional destructive factors. All coastal storms affect the environment through flooding and erosion; but hurricanes provide the additional elements of extremely high winds and storm surge. Hurricane winds can range between 75-200 mph. Storm surges; caused by the decreasing ocean depth paired with strong onshore winds and extremely low barometric pressure associated with a hurricane, span 40–50 miles across, rising 4–20 feet above sea level..
North Carolina's shoreline provides natural protection against hurricanes. The state is lined with barrier islands which act as a natural buffer against storm surge. These islands, which were formed from sediment deposited during the last ice age, have been migrating landward since their creation. During a hurricane, these islands flatten out and/or form sand bars to protect itself from the storm's forces. Construction of hard beach structures in coastal areas interferes with these natural geological and ecological processes..
Hurricanes cause large amounts of organic matter to be washed into rivers and their tributaries. The decomposition of this material utilizes oxygen that is normally present in the water column. This scenario leads to periods of hypoxia, which is when there are low levels of dissolved oxygen. There are also issues with salinity caused by storm surge and areas that receive rapid intense precipitation. North Carolina experienced problems with both hypoxia and salinity when Hurricane Isabel struck the state in 2003.Aquatic Impacts: Impacts on Aquatic Species, University of Rhode Island: 2010-2011. Hurricanes: Science and Society.
There is also an effect on inland vegetation, agricultural, and livestock when a hurricane makes landfall. The high velocity winds of the storm can defoliate forest and wetlands. This affects the amount of light reaching the lower levels of the forest, the forest temperature, and localized humidity. This in turn affects the food available to primary species in the ecosystem. The lack of upper level foliage can also result in the destruction of breeding grounds for certain bird species and a lack of nesting area for migratory bird species. As Hurricane Hugo passed of the Carolinas, if destroyed up to 75% of the upper woody biomass in some forest. In one forest, as a direct effect of the lack of nesting trees, it was recorded that up to 67% of the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers died.Terrestrial Impacts: Coastal Changes, University of Rhode Island: 2010-2011. Hurricanes: Science and Society. High winds and periods of intense rainfall can directly damage planted seeds, crops growing in fields, and erode away soil. There are also long-term effects as a result of a lack of soil fertility because of nutrient leaching. North Carolina has experienced severe environmental complications associated with hog farming on several occasions.
Plans and policies
State level In the event of a hurricane, the state of North Carolina provides services to assist in recovery. Types of assistance include "formulation of state policy, coordination of assistance, and the provision of training, education, and outreach programs."Smith, Gavin, and Flatt Victor. "Assessing the Disaster Recovery Planning Capacity of the State of North Carolina." Institute for Homeland Security Solutions. n. page. Print. <>. The Policies for Guiding Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction noted that a Post-Disaster Recovery/ Reconstruction Plan should come from the four plans including; Comprehensive plan, Emergency Operations Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and Mitigation Plan."Policies for Guiding Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction." PAS Report No. 483/484. Ed. American Planning
State and local agencies are requested to follow the North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan (NCEOP) under the authority of the NC Executive Order No.39. The NCEOP is a comprehensive framework of policy intended for the use of state and local authorities. The CEOP covers emergency operations including recovery. It is North Carolina's intention that this plan goes along with the objectives of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) which includes recovery management strategies from the federal to county level, also known as intergovernmental management of a disaster.Sylves, Richard. Disaster Policy and Politics. Washington: Congressional Quarterly, 2008. The NCEOP understands that the success of recovery depends on the collaboration of agencies and organizations involved. This state plan was a coordinated effort to better ensure each organization knew the part they would need to play during the time of a hurricane. In the first appendix of the plan there is an outline dedicated to the proposed recovery actions that should take place. The first step was noted to begin determining the need for volunteers, goods, and services. The remaining notions reiterated the need to establish and maintain coordination of efforts from state and local governments. The recovery actions are broken down into four main topics; Risk Assessment and Planning, Grant Management, Buyout Legal Team, and National Flood Insurance Program. Detailed instructions of what agencies are responsible for what in terms of recovery are listed in the plan. The topics covered include; energy, fire, search and rescue, hazardous materials, law enforcement, disaster medical services, mass care and human services, public health, and animal protection. Specific to the event of a hurricane, the NCEOP contains an appendix for recovery. The details within the hurricane section note the agencies that need to be involved and time frames for their response to assist. According to the NCEOP recovery from a hurricane can begin three days prior to landfall. The section breaks tasks down by checklist from three days out to a week after the hurricane strikes.Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Division of Emergency Management. State of North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan. Raleigh, 2005. Print.
The North Carolina Disaster Recovery Guide covers the agencies and programs that are involved at the state level in disaster recovery. The information provided includes eligibility for assistance and contact information. The guide goes into further detail for recovery action dealing with the topics of; agriculture, business and workforce, communications and outreach, environment, finance, health and human services, housing, intergovernmental relations, risk management, transportation and infrastructure, and volunteers and donations.
County level Plans and policy directed to the county level vary in amount of authority and detail. The NC League of Municipalities and the NC Association of County Commissioners provide a basic series of questions and things to do as a leader assisting with recovery of a North Carolina hurricane. On the website ReadyNCLocal.org Hurricane Planning importance is placed on safety and communication between employees assisting with recovery."Hurricane Planning." Emergency management information. NC league of municipalities and the NC association of county commissioners, n.d. Web. 29 Feb 2012. http://www.readynclocal.org/hurricane-planning.asp
Another example of a basic policy at the county level is the Hurricane Recovery Checklist for local governments. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources provide a Hurricane Recovery Checklist for local governments. The checklist is broken down into recovery need, proposed activity, requirements, and what to do. North Carolina counties that are greatly impacted by hurricanes are coastal counties. The coastal counties under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) require general or major development permits to complete certain recovery activities. The installation or removal along the beach require approval from CAMA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers."Hurricane Recovery Checklist for Local Governments." Division of Coastal Management. NCDENR, n.d. Web. 29 Feb 2012. <http://www.nccoastalmanagement.net/Hazards/checklist.htm>.
Planning at the county level can include the creation and implementation of hurricane plans. These hurricane plans may also include recovery plans or policy. The county of New Hanover has a Hurricane Mitigation and Reconstruction Plan. This plan covers the task force responsibilities, tree chart for the days of recovery, and the policies specific to hurricane recovery. A responsibility of the task force is to manage the initiation and ending of levels of moratoriums along the tree chart starting at day 0 to day 32. This plan placed major focus on building and structure damage followed by regulation of issuing permits. The policies noted in the plan include plan for; cleanup, reconstruction, building moratorium, purchasing unbuildable land, assistance to coordinate and maintain information on assistance programs at federal, state, and local level. New Hanover County (N.C.). Planning Dept, and North Carolina Coastal Management Program. Hurricane Mitigation & Reconstruction Plan. Raleigh, N.C: The Department?, 1991. Web.
The North Carolina Emergency Managers Association compiled the contact information for emergency managers of North Carolina counties as well as the websites for the county's emergency management that would contain the hurricane plan and hurricane recovery plan if the county publicized one. This information is found on their website
Recovery agencies