In 1999, the City of Evansville, Indiana, U.S.A. was recognised for its 
efforts in building a disaster resistant community (see below).  As far as I 
can tell from news reports (I am travelling at the moment with limited 
internet access), a tornado has just killed more than a dozen people there.  
See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4412180.stm in which early warning 
issues have been highlighted--seeming to note yet again the challenges which 
we frequently identify of building and maintaining effective warning 
systems, i.e. they must go far beyond sirens.

Any further information, corrections to my statements above, or thoughts on 
this situation would be appreciated.  We must continue to try to learn and 
improve, even if it requires disaster to accomplish much,

Ilan

http://www.fema.gov/regions/v/1999/pi_indiana.shtm

Project Impact Recognizes Evansville, Indiana for Outstanding Efforts in 
Disaster Prevention

Washington, DC, Thursday, December 16, 1999 -- The City of Evansville, 
Indiana, received the Model Community Award recognizing their outstanding 
efforts and contributions to Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant 
Communities during this year's second annual Project Impact Summit in 
Washington, DC. Project Impact is a nationwide initiative to help change the 
way America deals with disasters.

The model community award is given to the city, town or country that has 
shown innovation in implementing the Project Impact ideals, what disaster 
damage prevention is all about. Evansville formed extensive partnerships 
between the private sector, government and voluntary organizations. It also 
designed effective disaster prevention initiatives and used federal and 
local resources to make significant progress on those initiatives. Most 
importantly, Evansville has shown its willingness to share its experiences 
with other communities interested in duplicating its success and becoming 
more disaster resistant.

Representatives from the City of Evansville were joined by Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) Director James Lee Witt and representatives from 
hundreds of Project Impact communities at the Project Impact Awards Gala 
Wednesday night. More than 1,200 citizens, businesses, public officials and 
emergency managers came from communities across America to participate in 
this year's Project Impact Summit. They were in Washington to share their 
community's progress and the lessons they learned on what works best to 
prevent deaths and damages from disasters.

"The City of Evansville and all the recipients of this year's Project Impact 
awards are leaders in this first generation of Project Impact communities. 
They are helping to build the infrastructure for disaster prevention in 
every community in America," said Director Witt. "The City of Evansville's 
outstanding efforts demonstrate that we don't have to be victims of natural 
disasters. Every one of us can take steps to prevent ourselves, our loved 
ones, our businesses and our communities from becoming disaster victims."

Evansville received the Model Community Award for demonstrating innovation 
in helping its community become disaster resistant. Through the Southwest 
Indiana Disaster Resistant Community Corporation, Inc., Evansville formed 
partnerships to implement its disaster prevention initiatives. The 
initiatives involved actions such as retrofitting firehouses against 
earthquakes and tornadoes, and amending building codes to require new 
buildings to be constructed to withstand 110 M.P.H. winds. Evansville was 
recognized for their outstanding efforts in setting an example to other 
communities, and for contributing to the ongoing momentum in spreading the 
message of the need to build disaster-resistant communities nationwide.

"As Project Impact gains momentum nationwide, the driving force behind our 
efforts are businesses, communities and most importantly the fighting spirit 
of those who are determined not to become disaster victims," noted Director 
Witt. "When we began Project Impact just two short years ago, we believed we 
could reach inside and find the best in communities to prevent disaster 
damage. Our Project Impact communities - and especially our award winners - 
are the proof that our vision is gaining momentum. Communities have grown 
closer and stronger by joining Project Impact."

For many, Project Impact has become a way of life. As a result of Project 
Impact, communities are assessing their vulnerabilities to natural 
disasters, enforcing stricter building codes, strengthening existing 
buildings and infrastructures, offering incentives for taking preventive 
steps, and educating citizens on prevention measures they need to take in 
their homes and businesses. Project Impact has shown that for every dollar 
spent on prevention, at least two dollars are saved in disaster recovery 
costs.

Project Impact is a nationwide initiative to shift the focus from simply 
responding to disasters to taking actions in advance to prevent the 
potentially devastating effects of natural disasters. Project Impact began 
in 1997 with seven pilot communities and now today has nearly 200 designated 
communities and over 1,100 business partners.