Natural disasters have left a long and tragic trail in the United States this past year. Wildfires, tornados, hailstorms and hurricanes have all taken their toll. These events left thousands of people in the dark, without potable water, constrained by blocked roads, and suffering the loss of homes and, and most tragically, the loss of life.
Posted on 100 Resilience Cities
By Amy Chester
Taken together, the economic damage is staggering: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association reports that in 2017 the US experienced 15 separate weather disasters that have each caused at least $1billion in damages.
As these regions begin to rebuild, they have a major opportunity to address their challenges through an integrated approach that will build meaningful resilience and ensure they are prepared for whatever the future might next bring. The San Francisco Bay Area, home to 101 cities and nine counties, is embarking on a major program that does exactly that.
This past May saw the launch of the Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge, made possible by a $4.5M grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, to identify community-focused solutions for strengthening resilience to sea level rise, severe storms, flooding and earthquakes – before they happen.