Option

Engage and support populations exposed to climate-related hazards

Option

Engage and support populations exposed to climate-related hazards

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

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Option from plan Hazards Assets Region Source Plan
Identify individuals and households vulnerable to the effects of drought. Consider low- and moderate-income populations, older adults, individuals with mobility issues, households with limited English Drought People National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 23)
Identify and prioritize at-risk communities impacted by droughts. Drought People Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 198 (pdf p. 210))
Determine where medical needs are (e.g. dialysis) and how to notify public of droughts. Drought People Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 211 (pdf p. 223))
Identify individuals vulnerable to wildfire and determine if they may need additional support or public services during a wildfire. Fire (Wildfire) People National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 19)
Speak with vulnerable populations to see what needs they have before, during and after a flood. Then offer mobile services for those residents before, during and after a flood. Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General People Southwest Los Angeles, CA Resilience Strategy (p. 78 (pdf p. 41))
Overlay social vulnerability maps with residential flood maps to identify areas and households most at risk. Flooding – CoastalFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Property Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 179 (pdf p. 191))
Identify individuals vulnerable to the effects of flooding and determine if they may need additional support or public services during and after a flood. Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General People National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 15)
Collaborate with your health department and Area Agency on Aging to identify individuals vulnerable to the effects of erosion or landslides. Determine LandslidesErosion – Coastal People National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 27)
Provide emergency service staff information about where vulnerable populations are located. WindSevere Winter WeatherExtreme ColdExtreme Heat People Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 197 (pdf p. 209))
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Option

Expand and pre-position emergency response resources and staffing

Option

Expand and pre-position emergency response resources and staffing

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

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Option from plan Hazards Assets Region Source Plan
Ensure there are sufficient emergency response personnel in rural areas during extreme heat events. Extreme Heat People Northwest Missoula, MT Regional Adaptation Strategy (p. 48 (pdf p. 64))
Reduce wildfire response times by increasing staffed hours requirements in fire stations in key areas. Fire (Wildfire) Critical FacilitiesProperty Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 198 (pdf p. 210))
Improve coordination between regional fire station locations to serve key areas outside of reasonable response times. Fire (Wildfire) Critical Facilities Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 180 (pdf p. 192))
Reduce response time and increase capacity (man power) to respond to areas where there is shared mutual aid agreements by increasing staffed hours required in fire stations in key areas Fire (Wildfire) Critical Facilities Southeast West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan
Coordinate the availabilty of wildfire apparatus and equipment types, quantity, and storage location in key areas Fire (Wildfire) Critical Facilities Southeast West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan
Establish a year-round fire crew if one does not exist. Fire (Wildfire) Natural Areas and Wildlife Southwest Flagstaff Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (p. 70)
Plan for and build capacity for local government-owned facilities to stage resources when floods are expected. Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Critical FacilitiesProperty Southeast Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 179)
Acquire appropriate flood response assets for public safety. Flooding – Rainfall-induced Critical Facilities Southeast Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 189)
Identify garage locations in several neighborhoods where Emergency Medical Services can shelter ambulances and EMA staff during extreme storms and have rapid access to the neighborhoods they serve. WindMultiple or All HazardsSevere Winter WeatherFlooding – CoastalFlooding – General Critical FacilitiesPeople Northeast Climate Ready Boston - Resilience Initiatives
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Option

Develop watershed and flood management master plans

Option

Develop watershed and flood management master plans

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

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Option from plan Hazards Assets Region Source Plan
Create and implement a localized flood management master plan. The plan could identify detailed mitigation options such as storage areas, stream restoration needs and buyout priorities. Flooding – CoastalFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced PropertyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater Southeast Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 114)
Update City's 1984 Master Drainage Plan for SLR. Flooding – Coastal Multiple or All Assets Southeast Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 184)
Update existing master drainage plan to account for future sea level rise conditions. Flooding – Coastal Water Infrastructure – Stormwater Southeast Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 184)
Collaborate with state floodplain managers and mitigation officials to incorporate Integrated Flood Management (IFM) approaches that consider entire basins or watersheds into local plans. IFM considers Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General Multiple or All AssetsNatural Areas and Wildlife National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 15)
Review the capacity of existing drainage structures to understand their ability to manage increased precipitation projections. Identify the likelihood and consequences of impacts to this infrastructure Flooding – CoastalFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Water Infrastructure – GeneralWater Infrastructure – Stormwater Northwest City of Seattle, WA: Preparing for a Changing Climate (p. 25–26)
Use integrated watershed management to reduce flood and drought risks. Integrated watershed management is a planning strategy meant to coordinate development to maximize the social, economic and environmental Multiple or All HazardsDroughtFlooding – CoastalFlooding – General Multiple or All Assets Southwest Statewide Summary Report: California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment
When developing a long-term watershed management plan, include the results of ecological assessments. Shifting Species, Habitats, and EcosystemsWater PollutionFlooding – CoastalFlooding – General Aquatic and Marine ResourcesNatural Areas and Wildlife Southern Great Plains Adapt Oklahoma City, OK (p. NB-9, page 78)
Develop a watershed plan to guide infrastructure and improvement projects. Watershed plans can influence zoning and prompt infrastructure evaluations and stream restoration. Water PollutionFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Aquatic and Marine ResourcesPropertyWater Infrastructure – Stormwater Southeast Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 114)
Convene a forum to conduct a joint assessment and planning strategy. Involve local water utilities, wastewater service providers, water managers and other partners to achieve a coordinated consideration Water PollutionDrought Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterWater Infrastructure – GeneralWater Infrastructure – Stormwater Southeast Southeast Florida Compact Regional Climate Action Plan - Energy and Fuel
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Option

Develop emergency communication plans and systems

Option

Develop emergency communication plans and systems

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

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Option from plan Hazards Assets Region Source Plan
Create emergency communication plans and tools to quickly and effectively save water during a shortage. Drought Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterPeople Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 197 (pdf p. 209))
Ensure that there is existing and strong communications between state, federal and local fire staff. Fire (Wildfire) Critical Facilities Southeast West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan
Plan for effective internal communications across departments during floods. Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Critical FacilitiesMultiple or All Assets Southeast Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 113)
Create a map of detours and alternate bus routes that factors in areas with recurrent flooding. Create a communications plan for altered or reduced service. Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Transportation and Mobility Southeast Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 114)
Include rail lines and airports in the communication strategy when flood waters are rising rapidly. Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Transportation and Mobility Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 196 (pdf p. 208))
Have wireless backup options for key communications with the public. Multiple or All Hazards People Southeast Miami Forever Climate Ready Strategy
Ensure emergency communications during high winds include alerts that people evacuate from taller buildings. Wind Critical FacilitiesPeople Southeast West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan
In case of power outages, ensure emergency personnel have access to and protocols for CB and ham radio usage. Ham radios require an informal network of operators. These communications can help emergency WindSevere Winter WeatherFire (Wildfire)Extreme HeatFlooding – CoastalFlooding – General Critical FacilitiesPeople Southwest Boulder County Climate Change Preparedness Plan
Create a backup communications plan and a road access plan for residents who rely on public transportation to access medical care (e.g., dialysis patients, the aging community, persons with disabilities) WindSevere Winter WeatherFire (Wildfire)Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General Transportation and Mobility Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 204 (pdf p. 216))
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Option

Upgrade and diversify water supply, treatment, and interconnection infrastructure

Option

Upgrade and diversify water supply, treatment, and interconnection infrastructure

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

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Option from plan Hazards Assets Region Source Plan
To prepare for droughts, diversify the community's water supply sources and reduce dependence on imported water. Drought Water Infrastructure – Drinking Water Southwest Climate Resilient San Diego (p. 57 (pdf p. 63))
To prepare for droughts and other water impacts, enhance capacity and maintenance of water system interconnections — structures that join two existing water sources or supply systems to facilitate water Drought Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterWater Infrastructure – General Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment
Improve pumping from groundwater (i.e. water treatment plant) Drought Water Infrastructure – General Southeast West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan
To prepare for droughts, ensure drinking water infrastructure and sources are ready for areas that have increased, or will soon have an increase, in population. Drought Water Infrastructure – Drinking Water Southeast Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 118)
Design and construct additional Capital Improvements - Green & Gray Infrastructure to provide a reliable water supply to 1.7 million customers. Drought Water Infrastructure – Drinking Water Southwest Phoenix, AZ Climate Action Plan (p. 181)
Consider agricultural needs when updating current water management infrastructure to maintain high-quality agricultural water supply at a reasonable cost Water PollutionDrought Agriculture and Food SupplyWater Infrastructure – Drinking Water Southeast Southeast Florida Compact Regional Climate Action Plan - Energy and Fuel
Improve, expand and build new drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to support compact development. Include asset management tools to support long-term operation and maintenance. Water Pollution Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterWater Infrastructure – General Northeast Vermont Climate Action Plan (p. 221 (pdf p. 229))
Upgrade water and wastewater systems to accommodate projected changes in water quality, quantity and availability. Water PollutionDroughtFlooding – CoastalFlooding – General Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterWater Infrastructure – GeneralWater Infrastructure – Stormwater Southwest Statewide Summary Report: California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment
Upgrade water and wastewater systems to accommodate projected changes in water quality and availability. Water PollutionDrought Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterWater Infrastructure – General Southwest Statewide Summary Report: California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment
Develop a new water source that benefits the commercial activity of the community as well as community health and safety. Water PollutionDrought Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterEconomy Climate Change in Port Heiden, AK (p. 43)
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Option

Restore riparian corridors and stream buffers with native vegetation

Option

Restore riparian corridors and stream buffers with native vegetation

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

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Option from plan Hazards Assets Region Source Plan
Consider the use of streamside buffers and beaver support initiatives to increase watershed resilience to fire. Fire (Wildfire) Water Infrastructure – WastewaterNatural Areas and Wildlife Northwest Missoula, MT Regional Adaptation Strategy (p. 46 (pdf p. 62))
Create incentives for developers to maintain riparian corridors. Flooding – CoastalFlooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – WastewaterNatural Areas and Wildlife Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 203 (pdf p. 215))
Plant dense vegetation along riparian corridors to create a buffer from intensely flowing waters during floods. Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – WastewaterNatural Areas and Wildlife Northeast City of Baltimore Disaster Preparedness and Planning Project (p. 142)
Design program policies to promote stream and wetland restoration. Ensure adequate retention, drainage and diversion of stormwater. Such policies could also encourage green infrastructure such as grassy Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – WastewaterWater Infrastructure – Stormwater National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 15)
Increase and improve stream buffers with cross-community collaboration and watershed plans. Flooding – GeneralFlooding – Rainfall-induced Water Infrastructure – WastewaterNatural Areas and Wildlife Southeast Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 116)
Plant dense vegetation along riparian corridors to create a buffer from intensely flowing waters during flood events. Flooding – Rainfall-induced Natural Areas and Wildlife Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 206 (pdf p. 218))
For stream restoration projects, select a mix of water-loving and drought-resistant native plants. Shifting Species, Habitats, and EcosystemsDrought Aquatic and Marine ResourcesNatural Areas and Wildlife Southeast Planning for Climate Resilience—City of Asheville, North Carolina (p. 119)
Plant native vegetation in the buffer around lakes to help maintain their ecological health and water quality. Water Pollution Water Infrastructure – WastewaterNatural Areas and Wildlife Southeast West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan
Partner with golf courses to plant native vegetation in the buffer around water bodies and waterways. This practice lessens their need for chemical treatment. Water Pollution Property Southeast West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan
Encourage and promote the use of vegetative buffers around streams, channels and water sources to absorb and manage runoff. Water PollutionFlooding – General Urban Landscape and Tree CanopyWater Infrastructure – WastewaterNatural Areas and WildlifeWater Infrastructure – Stormwater National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 17)
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Option

Monitor water use and water quality

Option

Monitor water use and water quality

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

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Option from plan Hazards Assets Region Source Plan
Work with the water utility to keep and update data on source-specific water supplies. Establish and implement sector-appropriate outreach mechanisms when water levels get low. Changing SeasonsDrought Agriculture and Food SupplyWater Infrastructure – Drinking Water InternationalNorthwest Okanagan, British Columbia: Regional Adaptation Strategy
Create technology for real-time feedback about water supply to customers. Drought Water Infrastructure – General Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 211 (pdf p. 223))
Create a local/regional water use and monitoring program to manage water use for reasonable use of surface water crossing private property. Drought Water Infrastructure – General Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 210 (pdf p. 222))
Across municipal operations, track water use and analyze trends at the building level. Reducing water use can prevent or alleviate drought impacts. Consider creating a dashboard to educate staff on water Drought Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterProperty Southwest Clark County, Nevada, Community Sustainability & Climate Action Plan (p. 20 (pdf p. 65))
Consult information on current local drought indicators such as precipitation, temperature, surface water levels, and soil moisture from your local water utility, the National Integrated Drought Information Drought Multiple or All Assets National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 23)
Implement a well water testing protocol for coliform bacteria contamination, iron and manganese levels. Water Pollution Water Infrastructure – Drinking Water Climate Change in Port Heiden, AK (p. 43)
Monitor water quality at recreational beaches when risk of unsafe conditions is present. Water Pollution People Northwest City of Seattle, WA: Preparing for a Changing Climate (p. 64)
Monitor and track current water conditions and create a baseline report. Compile an expert panel to analyze and identify key stressors on lakes and how to address them to improve the quality. Water Pollution Water Infrastructure – WastewaterNatural Areas and Wildlife Southeast West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan
Encourage landowners to monitor and protect water quality in private wells. Water Pollution Water Infrastructure – Drinking Water Midwest Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region (p. 88)
Engage with City Water & Sewerage Department and monitor progress annually to improve drinking water efficiency, water quality, and stormwater management. Water Pollution Water Infrastructure – Drinking Water Midwest Detroit Climate Action Plan (p. 43)
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Option

Integrate hazard mitigation and climate adaptation into comprehensive and community plans

Option

Integrate hazard mitigation and climate adaptation into comprehensive and community plans

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

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Option from plan Hazards Assets Region Source Plan
Integrate drought preparedness and management efforts into community plans (e.g., comprehensive plan, strategic plan, water resource plan) Drought Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterMultiple or All Assets National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 23)
Integrate wildfire hazard mitigation into program administration activities such as your community’s comprehensive plan, agency or department strategic plans and program guidance materials. Fire (Wildfire) Agriculture and Food SupplyUrban Landscape and Tree CanopyAquatic and Marine ResourcesMultiple or All AssetsNatural Areas and WildlifeProperty National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 19)
Update the City’s Comprehensive Plan for SLR and reevaluate the City’s Zoning Ordinance. Flooding – Coastal Multiple or All Assets Southeast Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 186)
Update the jurisdiction's comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance to account for future sea level rise conditions. Flooding – Coastal Multiple or All AssetsProperty Southeast Charleston, South Carolina - All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment (p. 186)
Integrate coastal hazards mitigation into town, municipality, and county comprehensive plans. Flooding – Coastal Multiple or All Assets National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 11)
Integrate flood hazard mitigation into program administration activities such as your community’s comprehensive plan, consolidated plan, agency or department Flooding – General Multiple or All Assets National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 14)
Integrate erosion and landslide risk hazard mitigation into program administration activities such as your community’s comprehensive plan, land use plan, agency or department strategic plans and program LandslidesErosion – Coastal Multiple or All Assets National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 27)
Define steep slope and areas at high risk of landslides in land use and comprehensive plans. LandslidesErosion – Coastal Multiple or All Assets National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 27)
Update departmental policies to better incorporate consideration of climate impacts into decision making. Multiple or All HazardsFlooding – General Multiple or All AssetsWater Infrastructure – Stormwater Northwest City of Seattle, WA: Preparing for a Changing Climate (p. 26 (pdf p. 52))
Integrate projected increases in wildfire frequency and intensity into watershed management and planning, dam and raw water reservoir operations and dam emergency planning. Water PollutionFire (Wildfire)DroughtFlooding – General Water Infrastructure – Drinking WaterWater Infrastructure – GeneralWater Infrastructure – Stormwater Southwest Climate Resilient San Diego (p. 57 (pdf p. 63))
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Option

Implement debris management planning and operations

Option

Implement debris management planning and operations

Examples from plans

This option appears in resilience plans from around the country.

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Option from plan Hazards Assets Region Source Plan
Oversee clearing of County roads immediately following a debris-generating incident. Flooding – General Multiple or All Assets Northeast Tompkins County, NY Resiliency and Recovery Plan (p. 63)
Develop a debris management plan. After a flood, coordinate local and contract resources to clear streets of debris in accordance with established objectives and priorities. Flooding – General Multiple or All Assets Northeast Tompkins County, NY Resiliency and Recovery Plan (p. 63)
Coordinate with state officials to clear debris from state roads. Flooding – General Transportation and Mobility Northeast Tompkins County, NY Resiliency and Recovery Plan (p. 63)
Track progress of debris clearing operations. Flooding – General Multiple or All Assets Northeast Tompkins County, NY Resiliency and Recovery Plan (p. 63)
Report any hazardous conditions such as downed power lines, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) spills, and natural gas leaks to the proper authorities, as well as the Debris Clearing Task Force Leader. Flooding – General Energy and Utilities Northeast Tompkins County, NY Resiliency and Recovery Plan (p. 63)
Regularly update the Emergency Operations Center during debris cleanup operations. Flooding – General People Northeast Tompkins County, NY Resiliency and Recovery Plan (p. 62)
Stage and prepare debris cleanup resources immediately prior to an expected incident to ensure these will be ready to activate as soon as possible. WindFlooding – General Multiple or All Assets Northeast Tompkins County, NY Resiliency and Recovery Plan (p. 63)
Create a plan for timely clean-up pre- and post-event to avoid impacts on natural areas and water bodies. WindLandslidesSevere Winter WeatherFire (Wildfire)Flooding – General Water Infrastructure – WastewaterNatural Areas and Wildlife Southeast Triangle Region, NC Regional Resilience Assessment (p. 209 (pdf p. 221))
Develop a coordination plan to clear roads from debris after disasters. WindLandslidesSevere Winter WeatherFire (Wildfire)Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General Transportation and Mobility Southeast West Palm Beach, FL - Rethink Paradise: Sustainability Action Plan
To prepare for high wind, floods and wildfires, fund cleanup activities in areas with abandoned or collapsed structures and accumulated trash or debris. WindFire (Wildfire)Flooding – CoastalFlooding – General Multiple or All AssetsProperty National HUD Community Resilience Toolkit (p. 20)
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