Show Me the Money: Disaster Recovery Cost Reduction

The Show Me the Money problem statement focuses on gaining insight into the ways in which local policy in rural areas affects disaster recovery costs. Early in the interview process, the NDSU team recognized that the scope of the problem was inter twined with more complex dynamics that exist within the context of emergency management practice. A gap between federal expectations and rural realities was identified. This report focused on that gap.

Limited capacity and capability, recovery planning issues, and challenges with mitigation opportunities emerged as key topics interfering with the recovery focus and process in rural areas. A series of recommendations to remedy these issues was provided, the most significant of which focused on capacity and capability development. An important conclusion from this effort is that the local government is not in vesting appropriately in emergency management practice in rural areas (often due to a lack of resources) and that lack of investment is costing all levels of government (and residents) increased recovery expenditures.