Disaster readiness is the ability to prepare and plan for, and help absorb, recover from or more successfully adapt to adverse events. The best way to avoid loss of life or property is to be prepared before a natural disaster hits. It is never too early for a community to prepare, and it is up to important players like local government and nonprofits to develop clear plans of action. Whether your region is prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, snowstorms, or flooding, there are steps that you as an organization can take right now to make you and your communities more resilient to disasters.
Readiness starts at the local level with planners, developers and municipal leaders who review and consider what they will do in terms of permitting or zoning and demolition in the aftermath of a natural disasters. Local government can be prepared by instituting stricter building codes that protect structures and reduce insurance and long-term costs. It can also help to elevate buildings away from bodies of water to gird them against flooding, construct buildings with impact resistant windows to avoid damage from hurricane-force winds, and keep defensible space around buildings to stop wildfires from spreading. In addition, zoning can be used to prevent new residences from being placed in disaster-prone areas. Well-enforced building codes can mitigate financial losses and property damage expenses.
Above all, it is the responsibility of community groups and nonprofits to proactively plan for their own organizations. As leaders in your rural communities, you know the challenges that come with remote geographies and low populations. As you look towards being more disaster resilient, it is important that you are proactive about building your internal resources and your networks with local and statewide coalitions to ensure you are adequately prepared in the event a disaster hits.
