The Chesapeake, Va., Public Works Department is offering its hurricane debris plan as a model for other cities to implement during emergencies. The plan — which addresses initial response, damage assessment, emergency road clearing and storm debris removal — was revised after Hurricane Isabel devastated the city in 2003. As a result of implementing the debris management plan following Isabel, Chesapeake recouped nearly 100 percent of its hurricane debris expenses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA has recognized the city as part of its Public Assistance Pilot Program, which provides an additional 5 percent federal cost-share to communities that have a FEMA-approved debris management plan, and at least two pre-qualified debris removal contactors or an executed debris removal contract. To access Chesapeake’s plan, visit ftp://hrpdc:hrpdcftp@ftp.hrpdc.org/ChesapeakeDebrisPlan.