Resiliency

For Flood-Prone Cities, Seawalls Raise as Many Questions as They Answer

COMMENTARY | Urban leaders and elected officials at all levels of government need to consider carefully before they invest billions of dollars.

  • By Gary Griggs, The Conversation

Now Is the Time to Tackle Climate Change. Here’s How States Can Lead.

COMMENTARY | The risks from climate change hazards are growing in most American communities. State governments play a key role in helping local governments build a pipeline of resilience projects that will mitigate risks from extreme weather hazards.

  • By Joyce Coffee and Pete Plastrik

Fire Official Urges Governors to Be Proactive on Hardening Homes Against Wildfire

Failing to do so, the official said, means “we're just building tomorrow’s problems.”

  • By Bill Lucia

From Hurricanes to Pandemics: Benefiting from Crisis Lessons Learned

COMMENTARY | Elected and appointed officials must anticipate a broad range of possible catastrophes and put effective plans in place now to meet challenges like Covid-19 and future disasters.

  • By Mark McQueen

Despite Mitigation Efforts, Watchdog Finds Rise in Repeatedly Flooded Properties

The Government Accountability Office says steps like acquiring and demolishing flood-prone homes won't be enough to shore up the finances of the National Flood Insurance Program.

  • By Bill Lucia

Resilience Renewed in Houston

For the fifth year in a row, the Route Fifty roadshow will explore the biggest themes in state and local government. This year’s roadshow kicks off in Houston, Texas to explore the city’s resiliency journey.

  • By Alisha Powell Gillis

Going All-In On Resilience

COMMENTARY | Senior public administrators have a duty and the power to encourage the public sector community to more readily embrace resilience.

  • By John Paczkowski

States Take the Reins in Resilience Planning

Governors say states are taking steps to assure their long-term resiliency in the face of worsening climate change—and in the absence of sweeping federal action.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Former Emergency Managers: Act Now Before the Next Storm

COMMENTARY | A former FEMA Administrator and former Florida emergency manager urge states and local governments to invest time and resources into preparing for future severe weather events.

  • By Bryan Koon and David Paulison

Rockefeller Foundation Commits $8 Million to New Climate and Resilience Program

The move comes as the 100 Resilient Cities initiative supported by the foundation winds down.

  • By Bill Lucia

A ‘Resilience’ Plan That’s About Much More Than Climate Change

The District of Columbia’s first ever resilience strategy focuses on areas ranging from flooding to affordable housing.

  • By Bill Lucia

A Message to FEMA: Respond to Disasters Differently

Providing money to states faster after disasters, and offering funds before they strike, would make communities safer, governors said.

  • By Dave Nyczepir
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Governors Request More Federal Support for Climate and Emissions Efforts

Expanding resilient infrastructure grants topped their list.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Entrepreneurs May Yet Save Us From Climate Change

COMMENTARY | Adapting to climate change will require new approaches at the local level. On the Chesapeake Bay, entrepreneurs are being incentivized to find the answers.

  • By Paul Robinson and Katerina Oskarsson

Boston Looks to Shore Up Its Harbor Against Flooding in 2019

The city wants a $10 million federal grant to make its coastline more resilient ahead of disasters.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Quake Early-Warning App Now Available to Anyone in Los Angeles

Making seismic alerts available to the public has been a priority for Mayor Eric Garcetti.

  • By Michael Grass

Crowdsourcing King Tides to Better Understand Rising Sea Levels

In Washington state and Virginia, the public can help planners and researchers monitor the inundation of low-lying coastal areas.

  • By Michael Grass

The Need to Accommodate More Floodwaters Near Sacramento

A tour of some of the levee infrastructure that protects California’s capital city.

  • By Michael Grass

Our National Infrastructure Problem Is Also a Mindset Problem

COMMENTARY | Pressing infrastructure concerns require a mental shift — a return to nature.

  • By Barry Stiles

'Living With Water': Facing Climate Change, Cities Trade Sea Walls for Parks

City planners now say they are increasingly turning to methods aligned with the Dutch concept of “living with water.” Instead of resisting water, cities are channeling it to where they want it to go.

  • By Rebecca Beitsch

More Evidence Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Investments Can Pay Off

The National Institute of Building Sciences expands on work showing the benefits of mitigation spending far outweigh the costs.

  • By Bill Lucia