How Communities can Prepare for Climate Disasters

“There’s no way we could have stopped a fire of this magnitude.” You’ll hear this refrain from firefighters after the largest, most destructive wildfires. And they’re right—in that moment, when 80 mph winds and ember storms overwhelm even the best-trained crews, response is no longer enough. But that doesn’t mean there’s no way to stop these disasters. Swiss Re projects that global insured losses from natural catastrophes will hit $145 billion in 2025, with wildfires accounting for a growing share. The Los Angeles fire in January alone could cost the insurance industry $50–75 billion, with $275 billion in total economic damage. What if we stopped waiting for the moment of ignition to act? Wildfire resilience isn’t just about defensible space or fire-resistant roofs—though those are essential. It’s about fundamentally reshaping how and where we build, investing in community-scale risk reduction, and supporting policies that reward proactive mitigation. We already know: - Communities that implement parcel- and neighborhood-level hardening see dramatically higher structure survival rates. - Nature-based buffers, WUI fuel management, and ignition-resistant zones prevent extreme fire behavior. - New models like Dixon Trail in California show that building for resilience from the start is viable—and insurable. If we want to avoid disproportionate, cascading losses—human, ecological, and financial—we must shift from reaction to readiness. The time to create resilient communities is not the week after the fire. It’s years before it starts. #WildfireResilience #DisasterMitigation #Insurance #ClimateRisk #BuiltEnvironment #RiskReduction #CommunityPlanning #WUI

Whiplash Weather: Building Resilience for Extreme Climate Events As our planet grapples with extreme weather events, the concept of ‘Whiplash Weather’ is becoming increasingly relevant. This phenomenon, characterized by rapid weather shifts from calm to extreme conditions, demands a proactive approach to ensure our communities are prepared and resilient. In a world of cities, underpinning urban planning with the Outdoor City framework is essential to help cities adpat to extreme weather, protect vulnerable neighborhoods and engage folks in a healthier outdoor centric lifestyle. Here’s a couple points from the Outdoor City strategy to fortify against these unpredictable climate patterns, including those noted in the #worldeconomicforum top global risks: 1. Enhance Natural Systems with Adaptive Strategies: By viewing natural systems through a lens of adaptability, we can strengthen their ability to cope with diverse weather conditions. This approach not only preserves the environment but also acts as a buffer against extreme weather. 2. Multifunctional Infrastructure for Whiplash Weather: As we develop infrastructure, it’s crucial to embrace a ‘Dig Once’ philosophy. This means designing spaces for multiple purposes, such as a playfield that doubles as a catchment area for groundwater runoff and storm surges. Efficient and versatile infrastructure is key. 3. Decentralizing Energy Resources for Resilience: Building a green, localized energy infrastructure is essential. This approach not only aids in creating a climate-resilient energy system for all weather conditions but also propels us towards a net-nature energy portfolio. 4. Cultivating a Dynamic Workforce at Innovation’s Forefront: There’s a growing need for first responders and disaster management experts. Embracing technology can enhance early warning systems, leading to better preparedness. We need a new generation equipped with tech skills at the intersection of innovation, readiness, and community involvement. 5. Community Empowerment for Enhanced Preparedness: Strong communities are the backbone of resilience. By building a volunteer corps and emphasizing better communication, including early warnings and local training, we can create a network of support. This approach ensures neighborhoods, cities, states, and nations are better prepared for the next extreme event. As we face the challenges of Whiplash Weather, these five strategies offer a roadmap for building resilience and ensuring a safer, more sustainable future for all. #extremeweather #adaptation #naturesolutions #urbanplanning #outdoorcity #davos

The White House just hosted its first-ever 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 where leaders from various sectors convened to discuss strategies for enhancing community resilience and public health as temperatures rise. ☑ Communities can get started with this draft 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕: https://lnkd.in/e638bCcK A new 𝑬𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 calls on public and private organizations across all levels to take approaches and tools such as: 🌳 Long-term adaptation and resilience actions, like improving tree canopy and installing new cooling infrastructure; ✏ Heat planning actions, like running a heat tabletop exercise or creating a community phone tree in partnership with trusted community partners; 🏥 Heat preparedness actions, like equipping emergency responders and healthcare providers with new resources to address extreme heat; 🏡 Heat response actions, like opening new Resilience Hubs or cooling centers during extreme heat events; and 📊 Heat recovery actions, such as establishing new ways to track progress on key heat and health metrics. #ClimateChange #PublicHealth #CommunityResilience #ExtremeHeat

Power Outages Could Become Optional: Communities Are Taking Control💡 When storms knock out your electricity, the problem isn't just that power lines are down—it's that our entire electrical system depends on sending power from far-away plants through those vulnerable lines to reach your home. But what if communities could create their own power networks that keep running even when the main grid fails? That's exactly what's happening across America through something called microgrids—local power systems that combine solar panels, batteries, and backup generators to keep essential services running no matter what. Think of it like this: Instead of relying on one big grocery store that's an hour away, imagine having a neighborhood market that's always stocked for emergencies. That's what microgrids do for electricity. Here's what's happening right now: 1. The Quiet Revolution - Over 5,000 communities have built their own microgrids - Hospitals, schools, and emergency services staying powered - Growing 26% faster each year as technology improves - Communities proving they work in real world 2. The Challenge - Most state regulations still designed for old power system - Only 4 states updating rules to support this technology - Even California struggling to keep policies current - Red tape slowing adoption despite clear benefits 3. The Opportunity - Communities taking control of their energy future - Combining clean energy with incredible reliability - Success stories emerging despite outdated rules - Blueprint exists for others to follow Here's why this matters: As extreme weather becomes more common, communities shouldn't have to choose between clean energy and reliable power. Microgrids prove we can have both—but only if regulations catch up with what the technology can already do. Question for community leaders: How would reliable, locally controlled power change your emergency planning? What essential services would you prioritize? #Infrastructure #CommunityResilience #Innovation #CleanEnergy

My latest Forbes article. The Texas floods claimed over 130 lives — but many of those losses were preventable. What failed wasn’t just infrastructure. It was the absence of personalized, actionable emergency plans — especially for vulnerable patients. Too often, preparedness advice stops at “charge your phone” or “have a go-bag.” But people with oxygen machines, dialysis needs, or refrigerated meds need more than generic tips. As someone who’s led hospital emergency planning and trained with the Center for Domestic Preparedness, I’ve seen firsthand: real readiness requires individual risk assessment, local coordination, and systemic reform. Preparedness must be specific. Because the worst disaster isn’t the one that hits — it’s the one we didn’t prepare for. #EmergencyPreparedness #HealthcareResilience #TexasFloods #DisasterPlanning #PatientSafety #CareContinuity #HealthcareAdvisors #ClimateCrisis #PolicyMatters #HealthSecurity https://lnkd.in/e_dTjt9Q