James
Lee Witt, International Code Council CEO and former Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, is reaching out on behalf of ICC to building officials in communities
affected by Hurricane Katrina. “Communications are a challenge in areas devastated by the hurricane,” Witt said. “We are relying on e-mail to contact building departments to let them know that when the time is right we will be there to assist in any way we can.”
ICC also is sending similar communications to governors and state legislators. ICC maintains a database of volunteers to help building departments with additional personnel after natural disasters. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, volunteers will be needed to help with building damage assessments, building inspections and other code-related functions in communities affected by the storm. Building and fire safety officials who would like to volunteer their expertise can do so by clicking here. Building departments seeking assistance can access the volunteer list by clicking here. Other hurricane information is available from ICC by clicking here.
“This could be one of the largest natural disaster ever in the history of our nation,” Witt said. “ICC members across the country have tremendous compassion for the victims of Katrina and the job their peers face in recovery and rebuilding. They want to help.”
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In
the wake of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina, the International
Code Council Foundation (ICCF) has established a relief fund that will go toward
rebuilding efforts for victims of this natural disaster. "I encourage you to make a donation to help those who are suffering the after-effects of Katrina," said Paul Myers, ICCF President. "Forecasts indicate that Hurricane Katrina could be the most expensive to hit the U.S. in history. A lot of people need our help."
To make a tax deductible donation to the ICCF Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, click here. Donations can also be mailed to: ICCF Accounts Receivable, 4051 W. Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5795. Checks should notate they are for the "ICCF Katrina Relief Fund."
"We appreciate your support for this worthy cause," Myers added. For more information on the Foundation, click here.
New Orleans’
Mann:
‘Unbelievable’ situation
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Mann
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Mann described the scene in southern Louisiana as "unbelievable" and said the situation will not improve in the near future. "There are road signs here in Baton Rouge that say if you're going to New Orleans, don't go," he explained. "The bad thing is, some rescue people can’t even get into the city right now because of the flooded roads."
Mann said it could be 8–12 weeks before any officials can get back into the city to assess damages. He added, “Nobody can get to anything to do anything about it.”
Hurricane tool kits available
to areas impacted by storm
At
the outset of this year's hurricane season, ICC distributed Hurricane Preparedness
Kits to members of Congress whose districts fall within the "hurricane susceptible
region," as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Hurricane Katrina's devastating effects, however, have reached further inland
than what is generally considered the "hurricane susceptible region,"
and staff has responded by ensuring that every congressional district, including
six that originally were considered inland locations, has received the tool kits
for their use.
To download ICC’s Hurricane Preparedness Kit, click
here.
ICC eNews
Special Bulletin
September 1, 2005
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©2005 International Code Council, Headquarters; 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 600; Falls Church, VA 22041 USA