Federal and Local Resiliency Planning in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

1. Federal and Local Resiliency
Planning in the Wake of
Hurricane Sandy
By: Dr. R. Christopher Goodwin

2. Federal and Local Resiliency Planning in the
Wake of Hurricane Sandy
Dr. R. Christopher Goodwin heads a heritage and historical resources preservation and
planning firm with a nationwide practice. In addition to holding a PhD in archaeology, Dr.
R. Christopher Goodwin has provided important service to the State of Connecticut and
the federal government in regard to resiliency planning after major storms. His firm is
spearheading planning efforts in all of Connecticut's 29 coastal communities after
Hurricane Sandy.

3. Federal and Local Resiliency Planning in the
Wake of Hurricane Sandy
When Hurricane Sandy hit New England in the fall of 2012, it caused widespread
destruction and tragedy. It also highlighted serious problems with disaster preparedness
and resiliency planning in the area, particularly along Connecticut's coast.

4. Federal and Local Resiliency Planning in the
Wake of Hurricane Sandy
On the federal level, President Barack Obama responded with the Sandy Recovery
Improvement Act of 2013. This provision made several billion dollars in funding available
to FEMA, HUD, the NPS and other key agencies for use during disasters like Sandy.

5. Federal and Local Resiliency Planning in the
Wake of Hurricane Sandy
On a local level, new resiliency planning initiatives began almost immediately. One focus
is on historic properties along the coastline, to help ensure their protection during and
following future storms. Efforts began with surveys across the region, creating inventories
of valuable historic resources in areas endangered by flooding and sea level rise. Those
historic properties are character-defining features of Connecticut's coastal towns and
villages.