Post-storm surveys and assessments

(a) In general The Under Secretary shall perform one or more post-storm surveys and assessments following each hazardous weather or water event determined by the Under Secretary to be of sufficient societal importance to warrant a post-event survey and assessment. (b) Coordination The Under Secretary shall coordinate with Federal, State, and local governments, Indian Tribes, private entities, and relevant institutions of higher education when conducting post-storm surveys and assessments under subsection (a) in order to optimize data collection, sharing, and integration. (c) Data availability The Under Secretary shall make the data obtained from each post-storm survey and assessment conducted under subsection (a) available to the public as soon as practicable after conducting the survey and assessment. (d) Improvement The Under Secretary shall— (1) investigate the role of uncrewed aerial systems in data collection during post-storm surveys and assessments conducted under subsection (a); (2) identify gaps in and update tactics and procedures to enhance the efficiency and reliability of data obtained from post-storm surveys and assessments; and (3) increase the number of post-storm community impact studies, including by— (A) surveying individual responses; (B) conducting review of the accuracy of prior risk evaluations; (C) evaluating the efficacy of prior mitigation activity; and (D) gathering survivability statistics. (e) Support for employees The Under Secretary shall provide training, resources, and access to professional counseling to support the emotional and mental health and well-being of employees conducting post-storm surveys and assessments under subsection (a).