Meet Cassie.
As the Floodplain Manager for Hernando County, Cassie Harmon plays a critical role in disaster response and floodplain management. When Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck back-to-back in 2024, the County was required to efficiently assess damage and generate reports to state and federal agencies at a scale they had never managed before.
The Challenge: Scaling Damage Assessments
Before Forerunner, Hernando County relied on Excel-based forms for post-disaster damage assessments. While functional, this process was time-consuming and required significant manual data entry. With large-scale and compounding events like hurricanes, quickly gathering and organizing damage reports is crucial for securing disaster assistance and coordinating recovery efforts. Cassie and her team recognized the need for a streamlined approach.
Accelerating Forerunner Adoption for a More Effective Response
In searching for efficient solutions, Hernando County collaborated with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) to understand exact reporting requirements, and then reached out to Forerunner. The County and Forerunner partnered together to configure custom Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) forms to equip the team in the field and comply with Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) requirements.
To ensure a smooth rollout, the County held training sessions to introduce field teams to Forerunner’s mobile app and the app's offline mode, which operates in areas with poor connectivity. The County also worked with Forerunner to connect assessment data directly to their GIS system, producing a real-time map of affected areas.
"Forerunner adapted to our needs, and as a result, I believe this was the best damage assessment performed by Hernando County," Cassie shared.
Real-Time Insights and Coordination
Forerunner’s PDA warning system was an essential tool for the County during this time, and allowed them to track assessment coverage and allocate resources more effectively.
During inspections, county officials monitored incoming data in real time, ensuring everyone -- from local teams to state emergency operations -- had accurate damage updates. Team members noted that referencing Forerunner’s live data during response meetings was “tremendously helpful” for coordinating efforts and making sure all required details were captured for state reporting.
The Road to Recovery and Future Preparedness
Beyond immediate response efforts, Hernando County continues to use Forerunner for damage assessments, data collection, and long-term record-keeping. The County is now developing new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to further enhance hurricane preparedness.
By leveraging Forerunner’s technology, Hernando County has not only improved its disaster response but has set the foundation for a more resilient future.
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