Task Force Tackles Hurricane Issues
Gulf Coast Experts Bring Valuable Insights
Allen Weinstein, Archivist
of the United States. Photo:
Darryl Herring/National Archives
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force convened its spring 2006 meeting on March 3 at the National Archives (view the photo gallery). The Honorable Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, welcomed the 65 attendees, saying, “The Task Force played a key and indispensable role in communication and the response effort following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Although as we know, the commitment by Task Force members to protect the cultural and historical research began long before Katrina.”
Dr. Weinstein said that the loss of vital personal records in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita amounted to identity loss for many people. He spoke about the National Archives and Records Administration’s efforts to assess, recover, and preserve records in the affected areas. NARA is now working with state archivists to produce comprehensive disaster plans in all 50 states.
Ralph Canevali, Acting Director of Preservation and Access of the National Endowment for the Humanities, reported that NEH has made 33 emergency awards totaling $950,000 to projects in affected areas. Another $250,000 in grants was made available in January. Funding from NEH, along with a grant from the Bay and Paul Foundations will help Heritage Preservation launch a new Task Force project to identify and report lessons learned from the 2005 hurricane season.
A distinguished panel of speakers described the power of the storms and their impact on libraries, museums, archives, and historic sites in the Southeast. They shared with Task Force members the insights they have gained through firsthand experience and offered advice for future recovery efforts. The panel was chaired by Julia Young, Director of the Archives and Library Division of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
From left, Robert Lipscomb, Patrick Hotard,
Carma Fauntleroy, Fred Gaske, and
Julia Young (at podium). Photo: Darryl Herring/
National Archives
Florida has experienced seven major hurricanes in the last two years, and Fred Gaske, the State Historic Preservation Officer, talked about efforts to improve disaster planning for cultural and historic resources in the state. He stressed how important it is to integrate cultural heritage into existing state and local emergency response networks, and he described his agency’s successful partnership with the nonprofit 1000 Friends of Florida.
Robert Lipscomb, Director, Harrison County (Mississippi) Library System, discussed the damage that Hurricane Katrina’s 34-foot tidal surge caused in the county, even to structures built to withstand hurricanes. Four libraries, including his headquarters, were completely lost, and the costs of rebuilding are enormous. Lipscomb noted that his library system had a disaster plan. Although no plan was adequate for an overwhelming event like Katrina, having a good inventory and established salvage priorities made a big difference in recovery.
Beauvoir, The Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library, also had a disaster plan that staff had practiced. Before Katrina arrived the site was boarded up, steel straps were installed on shutters, artifacts were moved to higher floors, and tarps and sandbags were deployed. Despite these precautions, the storm washed out library exhibits, collapsed a 1924 historic structure, ripped the gallery off the house, and strewed debris over the 52-acre property. Over 2,600 items from the collections have been salvaged, and work continues. Beauvoir Director Patrick Hotard said recovery has been speeded by federal and private grants and the many volunteers from Task Force organizations. “They helped us out immensely,” Hotard said. His advice for other museums and libraries: undertake long-range planning efforts and “create a better working relationship with local authorities.”
Carma Fauntleroy became Interim Director of the Louisiana State Museum four days before Katrina struck, and she was impressed by the efficiency of preparations. However, the historic storm and subsequent breach in the levies in New Orleans challenged even the best plans. The State Museum’s 14 facilities fared relatively well, but staff faced continuing frustrations with communications and collections recovery. Ms. Fauntleroy noted that the time frame for recovery from a catastrophic event is a long one, and that it was three months before staff members were in a position to begin a needs assessments. “That’s why,” she said, “I ask volunteers and funders to extend their very generous offers of assistance for at least another year.”
At the conclusion of the presentations, moderator Julie Marks Young added some advice of her own for the future: keep up with FEMA regulations, re-evaluate traditional disaster training, streamline information resources, and consider “where we place unique collections.” Ms. Young also noted that non-restricted funds funding was essential in the first days. “The money from NARA and the money from NEH made all the difference in the world.”
Angela Gladwell, FEMA
Historic Preservation Specialist.
Photo:Darryl Herring/
National Archives
After the panel, FEMA representatives briefed Task Force members about ongoing efforts in the Gulf Coast. Angela Gladwell, FEMA Historic Preservation Specialist, estimates there will be a recovery office in Louisiana for the next 10 to 15 years. Meanwhile, the agency is getting agreements in place for debris removal. Another major focus is the next disaster cycle: “Hurricane season starts in June, and we’ve been thinking very critically about the tremendous lessons that have been learned from Katrina.”
Ms. Gladwell acknowledged that a number of questions had been raised about FEMA policies and procedures and asked attendees to send her comments, adding, “We hear you on all of these issues. We really do.” Alan Aiches, FEMA Historic Preservation Specialist from the Louisiana Joint Field Office, said there will be more disasters of Katrina’s magnitude and that partnerships between cultural organizations, FEMA, and local emergency management are absolutely necessary. Aiches said, “It’s not FEMA versus us—it’s we. There is no other way to do it.”
A wide-ranging discussion closed out the meeting. Ms. Gladwell agreed to facilitate a dialogue with other FEMA divisions, and various Task Force members volunteered to participate in working groups to improve future response and recovery efforts. Communications, preparedness, training, information resources, documentation, and financial assistance are among the areas to be addressed. Heritage Preservation President Larry Reger noted that the Task Force has already accomplished a great deal through a cooperative, voluntary effort, and events on the Gulf Coast have “challenged us to move to a new level.”