Every year, communities in the United States, especially the Midwest, prepare for severe storms and tornado outbreaks in the spring. 2023 has been an indication of the massive impact tornados can have on a community, with storms causing devastating damage in Mississippi, Arkansas, Iowa, and other states across the South and Midwest. Unfortunately, many communities are still caught unaware and left scrambling to manage their recovery and help citizens safely return to normal. Recovery starts TODAY – the more prepared communities are, the greater their ability to effectively respond to, recover from, and minimize the impact of a disaster.
Tornado – Preparedness, Response, Recovery, & Mitigation
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While tornadoes can happen anywhere, 75% of all tornadoes happen in the United States’ tornado alley. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, severe storm events in the U.S. cost an average of $2.4 billion per event. With at least six tornado events in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas already early in the year, 2023 is off to a busy start.
Communities across the United States are continually making significant efforts to prepare for a tornado event, as well as building the capacity to respond to and recover from a severe storm. However, when the impacts are severe and the geographic area is large, many communities, counties, and states rely on experienced contractors with the necessary expertise to support and augment their staff and community services for a wide variety of needs. Services may include response and recovery efforts related to the current tornado season and any other disaster or emergency conditions that may cause widespread damage and/or put life, health, safety, and essential public services at risk.
Response Services
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Incident Command Staffing
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UAV (i.e., Drone) Assessments (FAA Part 107 Certified)
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Damage Assessments
Recovery Services
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Damage Assessments
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Disaster Cost Recovery Reimbursement
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Federal Disaster Assistance Grant Management
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FEMA Public Assistance Program
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FEMA Individual Assistance Program
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FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
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HUD Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery
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SBA – Disaster Loan Program
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Preparedness Services
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After-Action Reporting
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Improvement Plans
MITIGATION PROGRAMS
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Hazard Mitigation Plan Updates
Emergency Contract Vehicles
Following a declared state of emergency, the Federal Government allows local and state government to bypass their standard procurement policies and implement emergency procurement procedures. In times of emergency, understanding these unique contract vehicles can be essential in saving time, money, and resources. ISC has expertise working with these unique contract vehicles, which allow us to guide our clients in navigating the contracting process easily and expeditiously.
Contracting with ISC is easy, and a number of pre-established contract vehicles can be utilized to facilitate the procurement process.
Past Performance
2019 – LOUISIANA SEVERE STORMS…
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LOUISIANA SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOS, FLOODING AND HURRICANE BARRY
Following the 2019 severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and Hurricane Barry, Team ISC deployed technical specialists to provide guidance to FEMA management on recovery and mitigation power and electrical projects. Hurricane Barry inundated streets and businesses over a six-hour period on the morning of July 10, 2019. Portions of the French Quarter were flooded, and public transportation was disrupted. The impacts were exacerbated by an elevated Mississippi River and knocked down power lines causing widespread power outages. Hurricane Barry caused approximately $900 million in public and private property damage throughout the state of Louisiana.

2019 – Ohio Flooding and Tornados
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Following an active spring flooding season, several tornadoes touch down in highly populated areas of Dayton and other Ohio communities in late May of 2019. Flooding caused road and/or embankment failures throughout much of the State due to hilly terrain with soft soil composition, totaling approximately $11 million in PA funding. Tornadoes caused catastrophic damage throughout Dayton and surrounding Cities, devastating dozens of buildings, homes and parks. Team ISC technical specialists were deployed in June 2019 to document damages, develop scopes of work and prepare cost estimates for the flood and tornado affected Counties.

2015 – Texas Floods and Tornadoes
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In all, Team ISC recovered over $96.8 million in eligible FEMA Public Assistance funding for all Categories of work. Some of the larger projects include:
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Approximately $2.9 million in grants to repair non FHWA roads and bridges back to pre-disaster condition.
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Identified over $13 million in damage to the Deweyville Independent School District (DISD) caused by rising waters from the Sabine River flooing the Elementary School complex for a period of 7 days, inundating the facilities to depths of six inches to over five feet, damaging and/or destroying the contents of the elementary school.
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Identified and prepared over $1.3 million in emergency work and over $2.5 million in permanent work to the City of Cisco potable water treatment plant located below Williamson Dam.
Team ISC staff received praise from the client for their work ethic, professional demeanor, and ability to deliver collaborative solutions to challenging disaster recovery issues.

2011 JOPLIN, MO TORNADO
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During the ESF 5 Joplin Tornado in 2011, Team ISC processed Large Project Closeouts (Final Inspection Reports) and Applicant Closeouts. Team ISC ensured that the approved SOW was completed and that funds were expended in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and policies. ISC’s closeout specialists also reviewed all PWs, reconciled actual costs to complete the approved SOW, and when applicable, identified any outstanding funds that were owed to the State/Applicant from FEMA. In addition, ISC reviewed the Applicant’s small projects, evaluated if the actual cost to complete all small projects exceeded the original estimate, and prepared a Net Small Project Overrun.
