Long-Term Recovery Case Study

A tornado measured EF-4 characterized as the second most-powerful type of tornado struck areas of Moore in Oklahoma where it killed 51 people, wounded more than 120 people, caused widespread fires, and reduced many homes to rubble on May 20, 2013 (Williams, 2013). This disaster required the declaration of a major disaster by the US President (Williams, 2013). If I have been selected to lead the long-term recovery process for Moore, recovery projects could be prioritized following some criteria. Restoring life continuity, lifelines, debris management, economic recovery, housing reconstruction and household recovery, and finally the environmental recovery are the criteria in order of importance that should be based the long-term recovery. Many

and Tierney, 2007, p. 208). What I called life continuity is the needed emotional and psychological care in addition to other health care that must be provided to the wounded, those who lost loved ones and or goods, and other victims. Because it takes time to heal, life continuity must be envisaged earlier. Lifelines (power, water, sewage, transportation, and telecommunications) restoration is vital because lifelines are basic needs. Though debris management is handled during the short-term recovery, it takes much longer some times to manage the clean up. It was the case in Moore, and this is why it is a priority to handle it earlier during the long-term recovery. Ensuring business continuity is fundamental for the community’s existence, so the economic recovery is another priority. Housing and household recovery which requires more resources can follow the economic recovery. The environmental recovery that can contain flooding and reduce wind’s speed must be envisaged as one other priority. These are some of the priorities among many I could undertake if I have been selected to lead the long-term recovery process in