Update on Deadly Kentucky Flooding
This morning, President Biden signed a major disaster declaration for the state of Kentucky. The Presidential declaration comes in the wake of yesterday’s significant rainfall and deadly flash flooding in Southeastern Kentucky. Tragically, 15 lives have been lost and that number is expected to rise throughout the weekend. The International Code Council extends its deepest sympathies to all those affected, particularly those who have lost loved ones during this tragic event. Kentucky is still recovering from last year’s tornadoes so this news hits particularly hard as the Code Council wraps up final planning with our state and local partners in Kentucky for our Annual Conference and Expo in Louisville this September.
We continue to coordinate with our member organizations as well as with federal, state, and local partners to support any requests for support or assistance. This includes coordinating resources for post-disaster building safety assessments, supplemental staffing, or other needs as they might arise. We also encourage you to review our Flood Safety and Recovery resources on incorporating disaster-resilient provisions of the International Codes (I-Codes) during flood recovery, reconstruction, and in future flood prevention and mitigation efforts. If your organization needs assistance, please reach out directly to us through your regional Government Relations representative for Kentucky, Corey Roblee.
Disaster Response Alliance
As an aid to community disaster response, the Code Council and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) sponsor the Disaster Response Alliance (DRA). The DRA maintains a national database of skilled, trained, and certified building safety professionals who are standing by and ready to assist communities in need. The DRA has assembled a cadre of skilled code officials, engineers, and others from across the country who are willing to assist with post-disaster safety assessments, building damage assessments, inspections, and surge support for other code-related functions. The Disaster Response Alliance brings together skilled, volunteer second responders in one place for easy access and quick mobilization. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities may request assistance directly through the DRA website.
Interested in becoming a DRA resource?
The DRA is always looking for volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a DRA second responder resource, please visit the Volunteer Now link on the DRA website. Architects, engineers, and building safety professionals willing to make a difference during times of disaster are encouraged to apply. The DRA is also looking for individuals with specialized skills, knowledge, or abilities such as plans examiners, permit technicians, and building inspectors.
New FEMA Disaster Recovery Grant Program Resource for Code Officials - DRRA Section 1206
When disasters strike, codes and standards serve as a baseline for the return to safe, sanitary, and habitable buildings. Code officials and their floodplain management counterparts rely on support from emergency managers and community leaders to help secure the critical resources needed to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community. To that end, FEMA has announced a new disaster policy - Disaster Recovery Reform Act, Section 1206, that is specifically aimed at providing much-needed financial assistance for code officials and floodplain managers during disaster response and initial recovery for up to 180 days following a major disaster declaration. This policy, administered under FEMA’s Public Assistance program, offers reimbursement for critical community functions such as building code administration, code enforcement, floodplain management administration and enforcement, and conducting substantial damage survey inspections in affected communities. Short video from FEMA here. For more information, visit the Code Council’s DRRA 1206 resource page.
