Mayor Randy Holland's Presentation on how the City of Mayflower, Arkansas overcame three disasters in just a few years, including an EF5 tornado. This 2015 presentation also includes the progress made to rebuild and move forward. Also see http://cityofmayflower.com/presentation

1. Handling Disaster and
Overcoming Adversity
Mayor Randy Holland, Mayflower

2. Handling Disaster
It can happen to you.
You need to know how to cope
and what to do.

3. The relative tornado
path (red line) affected
the southeastern
sections of the city.

4. Your First Response

5. Set Up A Command Post
Your First Response

6. Set up a Command Post
• Designate your Commander
• Determine your command post location
• City Hall or other designated space
• Determine triage unit
• School, or other large facility
Your First Response

7. Set up a Command Post
• Set up Office of Emergency Management
• Tagging system
• Pre-tag City Council Members
• EMT and First Responders
• Volunteers
Your First Response

8. Set up a Command Post
• Maps of city
• Printed
• Electronic
• Management Team Members
• City Council
Your First Response

9. Communication
Your First Response

10. Communication
• Evaluate
o Emergency Management System
 EMS brought their own
communication with them
Your First Response

11. Communication
• Evaluate
o Local communication
 Texting worked, phones did not
o LED digital signs
 Strategically placed
Your First Response

12. Safety First
Your First Response

13. Safety First
• Only trained first responders go out
• Trees and live power lines may be
blocking roads and access to victims
Your First Response

14. Safety First
• It can be difficult to find and help people
• Complete darkness with no power
• Communication difficult or impossible
• If this occurs at night, do what
you can until morning light
Your First Response

15. First Assessment
Your First Response

16. First Assessment
• Clear the roads
• County and City cooperate
• Turn off utilities
• Preplan, have contacts ready
• Determine if infrastructure is damaged
Your First Response

17. Refugees
Your First Response

18. Refugees
• Persons who have lost their homes:
• May be injured
• Need somewhere to go
● They will walk toward the light
• Where will you shelter these people?
• Red Cross (800) 733-2767
Your First Response

19. Volunteer Groups
Your First Response

20. Volunteer Groups
• Team Rubicon • 512-657-5606
• Dream Center • 213-273-7000
• Samaritan’s Purse • 828-262-1980
• Red Cross • 800-733-2767
• Salvation Army • 800-728-7825
Your First Response

21. Managing Contacts
Your First Response

22. Management of Contacts
• Designate a Coordinator
• Reporters and media
• Access and interviews
• Politicians
• Photo ops and tours
• Gather agency contacts
• Fish bowl
Your First Response

23. Challenges

24. City Operations
• Conducting daily business
• Operating Revenue loss - sales
tax
• Rebuilding issues
• Permits
• Zoning
Challenges

25. The Process Of Rebuilding

26. Planning
● Comprehensive plan
● Use existing or develop one
● Identify projects
The Process of Rebuilding

27. Planning
● Apply for the funds (grants)
○ Build Infrastructure
○ Build Projects
The Process of Rebuilding

28. We applied for, and received, a
$1.2M EDA grant for infrastructure
(water, sewer) on Interstate Drive,
(an area most affected by the tornado),
and a grant for an updated,
expanded siren system.
The Process of Rebuilding

29. The Result
The Process of Rebuilding

30. The Result
● Increased opportunities
for new business
● Increased sales tax revenue
The Process of Rebuilding

31. The Result
● More retail choices
● Better living for residents
○ Trails, sidewalks, parks
The Process of Rebuilding

32. Where We Are Now
The Process of Rebuilding

33. The Process of Rebuilding
Jump-Start Initiative

34. Jump-Start
A cooperative program that will help the
City of Mayflower implement long range
economic development.
The Process of Rebuilding

35. Jump-Start
• Devin Howland, Local Disaster Recovery Manager
• Position funded through a grant
• Central Planning facilitated grant
• Economic Development Plans
• Steering Committee
• Town Hall Meetings
The Process of Rebuilding

36. Jump-Start
• Public Presentation of plans
• City Council
• Identification of available sites
• Arkansas Economic Development class to
teach process of proper site selection, and
response to requests for information
 Identifying infrastructure and utilities
The Process of Rebuilding

37. Meetings were held with the Mayflower High School
Student Council to get their ideas and feedback.
The Process of Rebuilding

38. The Process of Rebuilding
Moving Forward

39. Moving Forward
Building Arkansas’ Best Street
University of Arkansas Community Design Center

40. Slow Street /
Fast Street
(concept in red)
Moving Forward

43. Moving Forward
Mayflower Recovery Visualization
University of Arkansas Community Design Center

44. Phases (L to R):
• North End
• Market
• The Promenade
• The Triangle
• City Park
• Pocket Housing
District

45. is The Beginning of
The Future for Mayflower.
is The Beginning of
The Future for Mayflower.
The End of RecoveryThe End of Recovery

46. If you need my help:
Mayor Randy Holland, Mayflower
501-472-2333

47. Handling Disaster and
Overcoming Adversity
Mayor Randy Holland, Mayflower
Special thanks and courtesies:
KARK 4, The Weather Channel, Sky News,
Kelly Thompson, Brad Hicks, Brock Stroman
and the staff of the City of Mayflower.
Produced by Tim Vahsholtz - Quartzlight
Marketing.

48. Images and animation - UALR Institute for Economic Advancement