Many state
archives provide resources and tools to help local governments, historical
societies, and other archival repositories salvage historical records
damaged by water. This damage may result from hurricanes, flash floods,
pipe breaks, roof leaks, and fire fighting, among other causes.
The list below was drawn together quickly
to help states respond to the 2005 hurricanes. Additional
resources from state archives are listed in our general disaster
planning and recovery directory. Many of the state archives sites
also list national and regional organizations that provide disaster
assistance.
Most state archives can also provide advice to organizations
working to recover from disasters. You can find contact information
in our directory of state archives and the
directory of state archivists.
Alabama
Hurricane Katrina Records Recovery Information
http://www.archives.state.al.us/whatsnew/prkatrina.html
Includes:
"Air-Drying Wet Records Volumes or Other
Books"
http://www.archives.state.al.us/ol_pubs/govrec41.html#Drying
"Surviving Your Next Hurricane: How to Protect
and Salvage Vital Records" http://www.archives.state.al.us/ol_pubs/govrec22.html
Ask the Archivist: "Where can I obtain quick
access to emergency response and salvage information?"
http://www.archives.state.al.us/ol_pubs/nwsltr9.html#Ask
Disaster Recovery Vendors
http://www.archives.state.al.us/whatsnew/disastervendors.html
Florida
Disaster Recovery for Public Records Custodians,
Archives and Libraries
http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/disasterrecovery/
Includes:
Disposition of Unrecoverable Public Records
Records and Document Recovery Techniques (PDF
chart)
http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/DisasterRecovery/records
_and_document_recovery_techniques.pdf
Disaster Recovery Vendors
Georgia
Emergency Advice
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/how_may_we_help_you
/emergency_advice/default.htm
Includes:
Emergency Response Tips for Wet or Damaged Objects
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/how_may_we_help_you/
emergency_advice/emergency_response_wet_damaged_objects.htm
Mitigating Potential Hazards to Materials and
Individuals Following a Disaster
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/how_may_we_help_you/
emergency_advice/mitigating_potential_hazards.htm
Minnesota
The Minnesota Historical Society provides instructions
for salvaging a wide range of historical materials and artifacts at
http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/conservation/emergency.html
Also included:
Re-entry Checklist (what to do before going back
into a damaged site)
http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/conservation/
reports/disaster_checklist.pdf
Disaster Salvage Tip Sheet
http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/conservation/reports/
disastertipsheet.pdf
Initial Situation Report
http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/conservation/reports/
situation_report.pdf
For additional resources, see disaster
planning and recovery directory.
