Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/29869
BY BRIAN WIENKE Mobile GIS TO THE RESCUE Coping with Destruction, Working toward Recovery urricanes are among the planet’s most destruc- tive forces and, in recent years, have brought heavy damage to communities along the United States’ Gulf of Mexico coast. These powerful storms also have forced some regional governments to respond strategically and innovatively to help residents and businesses get back on their feet. Following a number of hurricanes—Charley in Florida, Dolly in southern Texas and the infamous Katrina in New Orleans—GIS-infused mobile solutions served as a centerpiece of local governments’ recovery efforts. A Sorry Charley On Aug. 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 storm, made landfall on the southwest coast of Florida just west of Fort Myers. Charley moved northeastward, causing significant damage across the Florida penin- sula, including 10 direct fatalities and an estimated $14 billion in economic losses. The most severe damage occurred in Charlotte County, home to more than 150,000 people. A seven-foot storm surge engulfed coastal islands, sus- tained winds of 145 mph battered the towns of Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, and tornados spawned by the hurricane hit other parts of the county. About half of the county’s 12,000 homes were destroyed or rendered unsafe for habitation. Six of its 20 schools were destroyed, and parts of Punta Gorda’s business district were leveled. Hundreds of small businesses across the county were wiped out. Many Charlotte County residents were displaced, and rebuilding was necessary in many locations. But Hurricane Charley also gave local communities a chance to rebuild and rezone their towns to support walkability, public spaces and architectural styles con- sistent with Florida’s history. The result was a large spike in initial damage inspections, followed by feverish building-permit activ- ity. In addition, all new construction had to meet stricter post-Charley building codes, and inspections had to be conducted to ensure the codes were met. Staff at the county’s Building Construction Services department struggled to keep up with the increased workload, and seasonal and temporary staff had to be hired. The building spike and heavy workloads continued amid the regional real estate boom, which lasted until 2007. However, following the 2008 economic downturn and lAn inspector’s route list is viewed against GIS maps from Charlotte County’s Web-based enterprise permitting system. 26 G E O W O R L D / A P R I L 2 O 1 1 a steep rise in property foreclosures, building activity and permit applications plummeted. County budgets were cut, and staffing levels were reduced. The county suspended the hiring of seasonal inspection staff Mobility/GPS Special Issue Disaster Management