Ten years later: The flood of 1997 and the University of North Dakota school of medicine and health sciences

Ten years ago, the University of North Dakota and its school of medicine and health sciences experienced the "flood of the millennium." All essential services were shut down, most community residents were evacuated, and the university closed for the remainder of the semester. The school of medicine and health sciences building was the hardest hit. However, the need to completely rebuild the lower level worked to the school's advantage, permitting a reconfiguration that supported the implementation of the school's new curriculum. After a natural disaster, recovery is probably the greater part of the story. From a difficult time, the school learned six lessons: (1) everyone is affected and individuals react differently, progressing through the process on different time lines, (2) it is important to pay attention to infrastructure concerns, (3) rumors must be confronted, (4) it is important to take one step forward at a time, remaining both optimistic and realistic, (5) the tremendous emotional impact of a disaster has to be recognized and accepted, and (6) recovery takes about five years. The university and the school identified many areas of excellence that helped in responding to the flood. Open discussion, a team attitude, and giving staff members latitude in decision making were important. Shutting down systems and turning off power and gas in buildings before they flooded and cleaning buildings before the flood ended prevented damage and saved dollars. Establishing a "virtual university" to facilitate communication, protecting undamaged infrastructure, and beginning recovery early fostered a faster recovery.