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NCDOT's response and recovery efforts were coordinated and effective, yet opportunities exist to improve readiness. This report was commissioned to evaluate NCDOT's response to Hurricane Floyd, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop recommendations. Interviews were conducted with employees throughout the department. Those interviewed included both the field staff, who performed response and recovery activities, and central office personnel, who focused on public information, coordination, policies, and procedures. A full list of interviewees can be found in Appendix A of this report.
The Findings section of this report is categorized into four major areas: Readiness, Operations, Logistics, and Administration. It describes the many topics raised by the interviewees. The Action Items section contains a comprehensive list of specific tasks to improve operations in many of the topic areas noted in the Findings section. These Action Items can be summarized into the following recommendations.
- Create a Statewide Operations Center
- Develop Provisions for Emergency Food and Lodging
- Complete the Emergency Operations and Procedures Manual and Provide Training
- Improve Emergency Traveler Information
- Optimize Emergency Procurement and Deployment of Materials, Equipment, and Personnel
- Improve Emergency Communications Resources
- Complete Evacuation Planning and Develop Operations Procedures
- Continually Update Policies and Procedures for Emergency Road Repair and Debris Removal
- Optimize Federal Emergency Reimbursement Documentation Procedures
Including Automation
- Improve Inter-and Intra-Agency Emergency Coordination
Making these operational changes will improve NCDOT's response to natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, rock slides, etc.) as well as day-to-day incidents (crashes, hazardous material spills, etc.) that affect North Carolina's transportation system. By continually improving its ability to respond to emergencies, the Department better serves its customers.
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