Case Studies | U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit

Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to search

Communities, businesses, and individuals are taking action to document their vulnerabilities and build resilience to climate-related impacts. Click dots on the map to preview case studies, or browse stories below the map. Use the drop-down menus above to find stories of interest. To expand your results, click the Clear Filters link.

Photo of pararescueman Staff Sgt. Lopaka Mounts receiving a hug from a resident after Hurricane Ike, Sept. 13, 2008.

A Climate for Resilience

The City of Houston faces an array of climate vulnerabilities: flooding, drought, tropical cyclones, and extreme heat can all affect the city's population and industries. Government and non-profit agencies in the region combined their resources in a pilot project to plan for climate resilience.

Photo showing skyline of Texas Medical Center

After Record-Breaking Rains, a Major Medical Center's Hazard Mitigation Plan Improves Resilience

Widespread damage from flooding at the Texas Medical Center in Houston revealed the complex's vulnerabilities. Implementing a long-term hazard mitigation plan is reducing future risks.

A water reservoir that is mostly dry due to drought.

Drought Response and Recovery Project for Water Utilities in Clinton, OK

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s storymap contains case studies and videos that describe the experiences of small and medium-sized drinking water utilities that successfully responded to drought. Explore the story of Clinton, OK.

A water reservoir that is mostly dry due to drought.

Drought Response and Recovery Project for Water Utilities in Hays and Russell, KS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s storymap contains case studies and videos that describe the experiences of small and medium-sized drinking water utilities that successfully responded to drought. Explore the story of the cities of Hays and Russell, KS.

A water reservoir that is mostly dry due to drought.

Drought Response and Recovery Project for Water Utilities in Spicewood Beach, TX

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s storymap contains case studies and videos that describe the experiences of small and medium-sized drinking water utilities that successfully responded to drought. Explore the story of Spicewood Beach, TX.

The Coleman Theater in downtown Miami, OK

Eighth Graders and Emergency Preparedness in Oklahoma

Educating local middle-schoolers about emergency preparedness allows the small city of Miami to build climate resilience in an accessible way—and broach the topic of climate change.

Photo of tornado damage in Greensburg, Kansas

Following a Devastating Tornado, Town and Hospital Rebuild to Harness Wind Energy

After 90 percent of the town was damaged or destroyed by a tornado, Greensburg, Kansas, and Kiowa County Memorial Hospital developed a Long-Term Community Recovery plan to rebuild for resilience.

Green grass on a golf course with trees

Innovative Green Infrastructure Project Has Diverse Funding And Financing Portfolio

Once a defunct golf course, Exploration Green is now a 200-acre urban green space providing the community with an innovative solution for their stormwater flooding and recreational needs.

Photo of "Old Red" building on UTMB campus, Galveston Island, Texas

Island Medical Campus Recovers, Rebuilds to Face Future Storms

In the wake of a hurricane and beset by an economic recession, the University of Texas Medical Branch on Galveston Island rebuilt for future resilience.

A wall in San Angelo, Texas

When Weather Becomes a Problem: Motivating Resilience Action in Texas

In San Angelo, a focus on addressing current weather-related concerns provided an avenue for taking action and created a foundation on which to build future climate resilience efforts.