NEW: APRIL 2012 StormSmart State Discussions
The first four StormSmart training courses focused on coastal management across the Gulf Coast. These discussions will build upon the information provided in those trainings and offer more specific information for the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and Florida. Each discussion will start with a short presentation of case studies, examples, and resources specific to the state. Following the short presentation, there will be an open forum for discussion among participants.
The goal of these discussions is to provide a forum for sharing experiences and challenges, or to seek answers from area experts. You are welcome to ask questions, present ideas, or just listen in!
StormSmart Training #1: Before the Storm (Part 1)
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 | 2-3pm Central Time ZoneBefore the Storm: Part 1 is the first of four Gulf-wide coastal storm planning, response, and recovery training courses. Each training course will provide an overview of specific tools provided on the StormSmart Coast website.
Before the Storm: Part 1 consists of two parts: Resources and Identifying Hazards. The Resources section of the course will provide an overview of and brief tutorial on a variety of available coastal zone management resources, such as FEMA’s Flood Insurance Study reports and Flood Insurance Rate Maps. This portion of the course will also provide attendees with tips and tools to assist decision makers to work with their community to prevent, endure, and repair damage caused by coastal storms through the use of local knowledge, geospatial data, and storm probability data.
The second half of this course, Identifying Hazards, defines and explains the risks associated with Gulf-wide and state-specific hazards, such as shoreline change, sea level rise, storm surge, coastal inundation, and wind risk.
Following your participation in Before the Storm: Part 1, you will have a better understanding of the tools available to help you and your community prepare for coastal storms, how to access those tools, and the potential hazards that could impact your community during and after a coastal storm.GUEST INTRODUCTION: Margaret Davidson, Director of the NOAA Coastal Services Center.
»»Download PDF of Training #1 from the StormSmart Training Group
StormSmart Training #2: Before the Storm (Part 2)
Thursday, March 8 | 2-3pm Central Time Zone Before the Storm: Part 2 builds upon the information provided in the first course, Before the Storm: Part 1, and provides additional tools and resources to help you and your community prepare for coastal storms. Part 2 includes an overview of two techniques that you can use to help prepare for and minimize the impacts of coastal storms on your community. These techniques include: Planning (e.g. developing a community master plan) and Regulations and Standards (e.g. implementing new zoning laws and construction standards). It also provides examples of tools and resources.Following your participation in Before the Storm: Part 2, you will have a better understanding of how to use plans, and regulations and standards to prepare for and reduce the impact of coastal storms.
StormSmart Training #3: Before the Storm (Part 3)
Thursday, March 22 | 2-3pm Central Time ZoneBefore the Storm: Part 3 builds upon the information provided in the first two courses, Before the Storm: Parts 1 and 2, and provides additional tools and resources to help you and your community prepare for coastal storms. Part 3 includes an overview of four techniques that you can use to help prepare for and minimize the impacts of coastal storms on your community. These techniques include: Mitigation (e.g. protecting your shoreline); Infrastructure (e.g. ensuring passable access routes); Training and Outreach (e.g. communicating all of this information to your community); and Emergency Services (e.g. creating emergency response and recovery plans).
Following your participation in Before the Storm: Part 3, you will have a better understanding of four techniques (Mitigation, Infrastructure, Training and Outreach, Emergency Services) that you can use in your community to prepare for and reduce the impact of coastal storms.
StormSmart Training #4: During and After the Storm
Thursday, April 5 | 2-3pm Central Time ZoneThe first half of this course, During the Storm: Documenting Damages, shares Gulf-wide long-term and short-term emergency contact information for emergency planners, decision makers, and community members. The second section of this course, Safe and Smart Recovery, explains the legalities associated with rebuilding after a storm and provides an overview of the resources available during your recovery effort. The Restoring portion of this training goes beyond resources and tools and explains the importance of restoring coastal ecosystems to reduce the risks of future storm damage. This portion of the training will approach coastal restoration from a cost-benefit and legal perspective, as well as will outline the benefits of coastal restoration, current wetland restoration efforts, and potential funding mechanisms.
Following your participation in During and After the Storm, you will have a better understanding of developing and implementing an emergency response plan for your community as well as a better understanding of your options for redevelopment and restoration following a storm event.The StormSmart Training Series is sponsored by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.
