Goal is to Coordinate Disaster Recovery and Response

Agencies come together to plan for floods, tornadoes and blizzards.

Talk about preparing for a natural disaster can often be just that–talk.

The Northland does not have hurricanes, but it does have its share of huge rainstorms, big wind events and tornadoes.

People came together Thursday in hopes of being ready when need be.

Those gathering at the Lincoln Park Hub will all play different roles in response to a disaster. From first responders to social service agencies to non-profit organizations.

There were two disaster scenarios for the group. One involved high-heat and flooding, and the other was a severe snow emergency.

Many agencies get involved in the initial response to a crisis, and that is the piece we see most often.

But planners say the recovery is just as important in the days, weeks or months that follow.

“You know the foot of water in your basement after a severe flood. Or potentially you are still struggling with health care after a severe heat event. Or struggling with food access after all the food in your refrigerator has spoiled,” said Reese Van Houten, a planning team leader, with Ecolibrium3.

“So, there are so many different ways people can be impacted by disaster. And we’re here to be able to address those as well as possible, as a community,” said Van Houten.

Understanding and coordinating everyone’s role was one goal for the day. Another was to make sure that when the crisis winds down, that those most vulnerable are not left behind or forgotten.

The Ready North Network brought everyone together for the event. The Network is part of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. The hope is that what was learned during the response exercise can be used as part of a national resource to help other communities.