Factors Influencing the Incorporation of Hazard Mitigation During Recovery from Disaster

This paper examines the factors promoting theadoption of mitigation measures during long-term recoveryfollowing Hurricane Hugo in the United States. Recovery fromdisaster offers opportunities for improving community resilienceto future disasters and for promoting sustainability. Variousdynamics during recovery, however, can interfere with mitigationof hazards. In this study the adoption of mitigation duringrecovery in three case communities after Hurricane Hugo isevaluated, with a focus on the influence of various regulations onhazard mitigation. There is a very strong connection betweendevelopment management and hazard mitigation; resourcemanagement also contributes to hazard mitigation. Conditionsthat influence advancement of hazard mitigation at thecommunity level include local leadership, a linkage betweenwell-established ways of doing things and new policies,adaptation to dynamic local conditions, monitoring andcompliance strategies tailored to suit local conditions, recognitionof local rights, and stakeholders' involvement in developingstrategies.