FEMA project to help prepare Guam for next big storm

As it's done for many other natural disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency responded to Guam's call for help in the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar.
But the assistance won't stop there. FEMA is in the middle of a project to help Guam build resilience for the next big one.
Johanna Johnson is the project lead.
"So currently we've been collecting information from key lifeline stakeholders in Guam on infrastructure impacts and identifying interdependencies," she said. "We've identified key applicants and conducted site inspections on prioritized nationally important infrastructure."
In phase one, FEMA met with stakeholders from manufacturing, utility, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technologies and education sectors.
Phase 2 will be an analysis of the information gathered and how can it be used says Johnson to build back a stronger more resilient Guam.
"We look at what is the information telling us, and also what we are looking at is how we can package those, the information, what is it telling us, how can we build back a stronger more resilient guam looking at critical infrastructure," she said.
The project will also determine whether upgrades will require just fema resources, or grants available from other federal agencies.
"I think what we're hoping is that...we're building a stronger more resilient Guam so that in the future when other storms or other impacts happen is that Guam holistically is more resilient to those impacts," Johnson said.
Johnson adds that the assistance could also mean just providing input back to govguam and the private sector to help them, help themselves.