The past year has been marked by natural disasters and severe weather events in the United States. From the Southern California wildfire to devastating flooding in Texas and North Carolina, these events serve as a stark reminder of how fragile our public infrastructure and beloved cultural spaces remain, even in modern times.  

As impacted cities and regions continue to rebuild, this moment provides a key opportunity for all public leaders and community stakeholders to meaningfully plan for their own disaster resilience and recovery should the day come.  

Successful disaster recovery and resiliency planning requires careful assessment of total costs, regulatory compliance, and insurance policies, while also anticipating likely constraints, supply chain and labor shortages and other cost escalations.  

These obligations can be daunting, particularly for under-resourced communities. But with thoughtful anticipation of key issues and collaborative planning with experts, communities can not only rebuild, but they can also create a stronger and more vibrant infrastructure.  

Integrated recovery planning  

Recovery is an overwhelming process that includes both immediate action and careful long-term planning. And it’s important for community leaders to take an integrated approach to recovery so they don’t miss key issues or opportunities. 

The right recovery team will be able to take on the entire life cycle entire cycle of recovery process, from the initial assessment to final project completion. An effective team will also offer expertise in dispute resolution, contracts, and regulatory requirements so that every possible impact is carefully assessed and anticipated.  

In contrast, a piecemeal approach for recovery sites and activities may feel expedient at first but will quickly face a slow down once review processes begin for insurance and reconstruction and individual costs around labor and materials start to climb.  

Building flexibility into insurance coverage  

Flexibility within insurance coverage is paramount. One significant challenge in disaster recovery efforts is the discrepancy between insurance-determined costs and actual construction expenses. Insurance companies often rely on standardized cost databases, which typically underestimate real-world rebuilding costs by 30-40%.  

And many policies may only cover 8-9 months of design, despite extended rebuild timelines. Careful assessment and alignment of all recovery-related budgets and schedules before and after a disaster can help ensure coverage reflects actual project needs and allows for evolving conditions. 

Prioritizing operational readiness  

Schools, hospitals, and other public services facilities are critical to recovery even when damaged. Recovery teams need to anticipate what strategies they will use to ensure operational readiness whether it is the installation of temporary roofing systems, expedited HVAC repairs, or temporary adaptation of available space. And these strategies need to account for round-the-clock labor and activities to minimize further disruption to students, teachers, emergency responders and healthcare providers. Skilled recovery teams will know in advance how to identify and operate the best sites. 

Tailoring recovery strategies for historical spaces 

Loss of cherished historical spaces can be uniquely challenging. Historic spaces may have originally used materials that are not readily available now. Their original structural layouts and design may not meet modern codes, yet historical restrictions dictate what changes can be made.  

These factors often culminate in raw recovery costs that far outpace an organization’s annual revenue or reserve funds, requiring additional fundraising efforts.  

Recovery teams need to anticipate a more complex and specific process and timeline for insurance claims, design development and approval, and with the advice of experts, tailor timelines and financial strategies accordingly.  

Leading with care 

At Cumming Group, our approach to disaster resilience recovery is rooted in honor and sensitivity. We understand the emotional toll that these situations take, and our goal is to ease frustration and alleviate confusion, not add to it. Our expertise and role as fully independent consultancy ensure communities receive the most effective guidance on matters like damage assessments, complex insurance claims, and design strategies. In recent years, we’ve been proud to support rebuilding efforts in Hawaii, Texas, California and Colorado, applying key lessons and best practices to future efforts for schools, places of worship, universities and other major institutions.   

Whether it’s restoring critical services, rebuilding businesses, or re-establishing educational environments, we strive to be the team that steps in as a beacon of supporting communities, businesses, and individuals get back on their feet.