Disasters – An Opportunity You Can Not Afford to Waste
Jane Cage, a long-time resident of Joplin, MO and survivor of the deadly 2011 tornado, has graciously allowed us to share this article. Read more of her insights on the recovery of Joplin here.
Communities seem to fall into two camps after a disaster.
One point of view is that everything should return to just the way it was. Businesses and homes should be built back in their original locations. A rebuilt school should look like the original. The expectation is that recovery is successful if a community can be recreated in its previous image – with the caveat that homes and businesses should be a little more resilient with storm shelters or flood protection.
With time and perspective, I am convinced of a second point of view. A disaster can also be an opportunity. In Joplin, we suddenly had a clear view across one-third of our community after the May 2011 tornado. For the first time (and we all hope the only time) we had the opportunity to reimagine the shape of our community. We could adjust for some of the helter-skelter organic growth that had happened over time. We could lobby for amenities that were new to our community. We could make a decision to take enough time to reimagine healthcare and education in the 21st century and build for the future.
There’s no question that the second path is much more difficult. It requires collaboration and the willingness to think in a new way. Viewing disasters as a long-term opportunity opens the door to striking a foul ball or hitting one out of the park and in Joplin we’ve done both. Visioning requires courage and faith.
Taking time to reimagine pays benefits. The visioning process gives citizens hope and an outlet to stop looking around and look ahead. In all the cities that I’ve seen respond this way the results have been an improved way and place to live. Whether it’s the sustainability focus of Greensburg, KS or the newly opened Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center in Tuscaloosa, AL citizens have new opportunities. Joplin’s new future focused library opening in 2017 is moving to our most devastated area and within reach of a large portion of our low to moderate income citizens.
My advice to communities caught in the whirlwind of recovery? Take time to assess, plan and dream no matter how much pressure there is to rebuild quickly. Although you never asked for the “opportunity”, it’s one you can’t afford to waste.
Jane Cage poses at the dedication of the new butterfly mural at Mercy Park in Joplin, MO. Anyone can become a butterfly – a symbol that has such meaning for Joplin, 2016
About Jane:
Jane, a long-time Joplin resident, served as the volunteer chairman of the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team (CART) formed after the May 2011 tornado. As CART leader, she led the group in listening to citizens about their vision for a recovered Joplin. The resulting report became the long-term recovery plan for Joplin.
Jane has been a civic leader in Joplin for many years leading organizations such as Rotary, the YMCA, the Humane Society, and Chamber of Commerce. Today Jane acts as a community liaison for many groups and continues to participate in recovery activities.
Related:
The Road to Resilience – Lessons from Joplin
Joplin Pays it Forward – a Collection of Essays from Community Leaders
“What should we do now?” “What should we say?”