Volpe Center Leads Gulf Coast Transportation Recovery Planning
On the morning of September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall near Galveston Bay, devastating Gulf Coast communities from Texas to Mississippi. Many were still recovering from the effects of Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav, Katrina, and Rita.
The Volpe Center assisted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Austin, Texas, with the federal response to Hurricane Ike. The Volpe Center's unique, multimodal expertise enables it to play a key role in coordinating U.S. DOT's involvement in long-term recovery. Volpe Center planners serve as intermediaries and facilitators between DOT and FEMA, as well as among DOT and other participating federal, state, and local agencies.
The Volpe Center team interfaced with U.S. DOT and regional modal offices to assess transportation impacts and issues that might affect the long-term recovery or viability of affected areas. The Volpe Center continues to provide support to the State of Texas and affected communities in their recovery.
FEMA established its long-term community recovery support function, Emergency Support Function 14 (ESF #14), in 2004 as part of the interagency National Response Plan. The Volpe Center serves as U.S. DOT's national coordinator on long-term community recovery. When FEMA activated ESF #14 in Texas, the Volpe Center provided an on-site team to coordinate information and assess the long-term impacts of Hurricane Ike on Texas' transportation system.
As the lead in FEMA's ESF #14 Transportation and Infrastructure group and the Regional Emergency Transportation Representative (RETREP) for U.S. DOT Regions I and II, the Volpe Center has become an integral part of the overall DOT emergency response and recovery planning capability.
San Antonio, TX, September 10, 2008-Water is loaded onto buses in preparation for Hurricane Ike. The reception center for evacuees was a staging area for buses and supplies. (Photo courtesy of FEMA)
