After the Flood Is Before the Next Flood

This chapter explains the rationale and approach of the PERC methodology and presents consolidated findings from studies conducted so far. Conducting a forensic post-event study is similar to detective work in that it needs an experienced team of experts, a consistent and iterative meta-structure, and guidance on how to pursue leads and new information. As part of this analysis and assessment work, an agent landscape map is built identifying the key players involved in disaster risk management and their roles, decision making, and communication structures and interactions within their and across sectors. The central aim of a single PERC analysis is to provide a comprehensive picture of what happened and why, and what opportunities exist to build disaster resilience. By using a systematic methodology like PERC to provide a “forensic” analysis of disaster events, we are identifying generalizable lessons aimed at understanding and increasing resilience and reducing vulnerability across social, political, economic, and geographic contexts.