We're Helping Leaders Across the Country
After a disaster, LeadersLink provides a disaster mentor to any elected official who would like guidance from a peer who has led their community through a similar crisis in the past. Here are some of the cities where we have helped.
Western Kentucky
EF4 Tornado
On Dec. 10, 2021, an EF4 tornado swept through western Kentucky, killing 76 and damaging or destroying at least 1000 homes. It was the deadliest and longest-tracked tornado in state history.
more...Marshalltown, Iowa
EF3 Tornado
On July 19, 2018, an EF3 tornado swept through the city of Marshalltown, Iowa, destroying 89 homes and causing major damage to 525. It also damaged many business as well as the historic county courthouse and the Lennox plant, idling production lines.
more...Immokalee, Florida
Hurricane Irma
When slow-moving Hurricane Irma pushed across Florida on Sept. 10, 2017, it destroyed at least 50 homes in Immokalee and damaged hundreds more, leaving many residents homeless or living in unsafe structures.
more...Missouri City, Texas
Hurricane Harvey
When Hurricane Harvey bore down on the Houston area on Aug. 26, 2017, Missouri City was hit with tornadoes and widespread flooding that resulted in 1300+ high water rescues and more than 1000 flooded homes.
more...Dickinson, Texas
Hurricane Harvey
Dickinson was one of the hardest-hit cities when Hurricane Harvey moved into the Houston area on August 26, 2017, seriously damaging 88 businesses and more than 7000 homes.
more...Aransas Pass, Texas
Hurricane Harvey
On Aug. 25, 2017 as Hurricane Harvey moved onshore, its highest sustained winds of 111-mph were felt in Aransas Pass, where 90% of buildings were damaged.
more...St. Augustine, Florida
Hurricane Matthew
St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the country, was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The October 7 storm damaged more than 1000 historic homes and buildings along with 250 businesses.
more...Sea Bright, New Jersey
Superstorm sandy
The low-lying community of Sea Bright, New Jersey sustained catastrophic damage in Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which inundated three quarters of its homes and the entire downtown business district. The city received more than four million dollars in federal grants to cover 90% of the cost of repairing public buildings alone.
more...Richwood, West Virginia
Historic 2016 Flood
On June 23, 2016, devastating flash floods tore through Richwood, West Virginia, destroying 150 homes, damaging businesses and inundating four schools with more than four feet of water.
more...Ellicott City, Maryland
2016 Flash Flood
On July 30, 2016, nearly 7 inches of torrential rain fell on historic downtown Ellicott City, Maryland in a five-hour period. The resulting flash flood destroyed 90 businesses and more than a hundred homes, killing two and flooding hundreds of vehicles. Damages were in the tens of millions of dollars.
more...Denham Springs, Louisiana
Louisiana Flood of 2016
More than 75 percent of the homes and most of the businesses in Denham Springs, Louisiana were inundated in August of 2016. Thirteen people died in the historic flooding that left 21 Louisiana parishes federal disaster areas and sent more than 11,000 residents into shelters.
more...Belmar, New Jersey
Superstorm Sandy
On October 29, 2012, the storm surge of Superstorm Sandy poured into Belmar, New Jersey, destroying homes, businesses and ripping apart the town’s 1.3-mile long boardwalk. It took nearly three years before the last displaced resident was able to move back home.
more...List of Areas We Have Connected
St. Augustine, FloridaHurricane Matthew
Hurricane Matthew roared into St. Augustine, Florida on Oct. 7, 2016, flooding all seven of the city’s federally designated historic districts. More than 1000 historic homes and buildings were damaged, as were 250 businesses. LeadersLink partnered Mayor Nancy Shaver with Connie Moran, mayor of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, a town whose waterfront and municipal bridge was […]
more...Sea Bright, New JerseySuperstorm sandy
The rain and storm surge from October 2012’s Superstorm Sandy left three quarters of the homes and the entire business district of the oceanfront town of Sea Bright, New Jersey under water. Kathleen Koch, who had yet to create LeadersLink, heard from Mayor Dina Long and partnered her with former Waveland, Mississippi Mayor Tommy Longo. Waveland […]
more...Richwood, West VirginiaHistoric 2016 Flood
Torrential rains and a rising Cherry River in June 2016 sent a flood of water roaring through Richwood, West Virginia, washing out homes, schools, roads and streets. Afterwards, LeadersLink partnered Mayor Bob Henry Baber with former Vernonia, Oregon Mayor Tony Hyde, who led that community through disastrous flooding twice – as mayor in 1996 and […]
more...Ellicott City, Maryland2016 Flash Flood
After a disastrous flash flood destroyed much of the historic mill town of Ellicott City, Maryland in July of 2016, LeadersLink partnered Howard County Councilman Jon Weinstein with El Paso County Colorado Commissioner Sallie Clark. Clark had helped oversee the recovery of Manitou Springs, Colorado following a similar flash flood in 2013 that killed one […]
more...Denham Springs, LouisianaLouisiana Flood of 2016
When a slow-moving storm dropped more than two feet of rain around Denham Springs, Louisiana in August 2016, the Amite River went five feet above its record flood stage. Most of the city of 10,000 ended up underwater. Afterwards, LeadersLink partnered Mayor Gerard Landry with former Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Mayor Eddie Favre. Favre was […]
more...Belmar, New JerseySuperstorm Sandy
The seaside town of Belmar, New Jersey was devastated in 2012 by Superstorm Sandy that sent water rushing into homes and businesses and shredded the town’s important 1.3-mile long boardwalk. Afterwards, Kathleen Koch, who had yet to create LeadersLink, partnered Mayor Matt Dougherty with Mayor Chipper McDermott of Pass Christian, Mississippi. Pass Christian’s harbor and […]
more...