Shanteya Hudson, Producer
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Leaders across Georgia are joining forces to address the pressing need for resilience planning amid rising risks of severe storms.
The Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems at the University of Georgia, along with the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Pew Charitable Trusts, recently convened experts and stakeholders to explore collaborative strategies, policy creation and resource allocation necessary to support communities statewide.
Kristiane Huber, officer for The Pew Charitable Trusts, emphasized the collaborative effort is laying the foundation for sustainable solutions throughout Georgia.
"State governments can learn which communities really have what needs, what are their vulnerabilities," Huber explained. "It helps to identify where there are already resources and where there are communities that are already acting and investing locally in resilience."
Huber highlighted the process plays a crucial role in directing funding toward areas with the greatest needs. Research supported by Pew showed approximately 17 states, including South Carolina, have established resiliency officers who have successfully implemented projects and secured funding to safeguard lives and properties within their respective communities.
Alan Robertson, principal of AWR Strategic Consulting, has been leading resilience projects at Tybee Island. Robertson stressed the necessity of proactive planning, particularly after the significant hurricane damage experienced between 2016 and 2017.
"The most important thing is to bring common issues that communities face, bring it forward to the federal government," Robertson urged. "The state can help us prioritize. Tybee may be doing something that is applicable to someone in the western part of the state, but a state office could find us and put us together."
Tybee Island has since conducted vulnerability assessments and devised comprehensive resilience plans focused on protecting the beach, marshes, rivers and port areas. However, Robertson acknowledged despite their efforts, vulnerabilities relating to hurricanes and flooding persist. He emphasized there is a need for collaborative efforts at all levels to further enhance their resilience.
Inland areas such as Atlanta are grappling with increased droughts alongside flooding concerns.
Katherine Zitsch, deputy COO of the Atlanta Regional Commission, said it increases the need for the strategic management of stormwater and water supply infrastructure due to the region's growing population.
"When it comes to increased drought, it's not something that you can just snap your finger and suddenly have additional water supply," Zitsch pointed out. "We really need to be thinking 20 and 30 years into the future about what our needs are, how we can grow responsibly, how we can work on water conservation and efficiency to make sure we're using water wisely in order to be resilient."
With Georgia experiencing more than 120 climate-related disasters exceeding $1 billion in damages, leaders emphasize the importance of ongoing discussions. Zitsch noted the conversations can drive impactful investments, policy formation and collaborative actions across government, business and nonprofit sectors, both at the state and local levels.
get more stories like this via email
![more stories](/assets/images/more-stories.png)
Social Issues
As Nebraska state lawmakers convene for a special session on property tax reform called by Gov. Jim Pillen, groups are weighing in on the details …
Traveling around rural Minnesota can be difficult but in more than half the state, nonprofit transit systems are helping people get where they need …
Social Issues
Student loan forgiveness took center stage on Thursday at the American Federation of Teachers conference. The Biden administration has canceled more …
Social Issues
Recent Supreme Court rulings on air pollution are affecting Virginia and the nation. Climate advocates said the court overstepped its bounds in …
Health and Wellness
World Hepatitis Day is this Sunday, and for the Oregon Health Authority, it's an opportunity to promote its plan to eliminate hepatitis across the …
Social Issues
Columbia County, New York, is implementing new facial recognition and privacy policies, following new upgrades to the county's surveillance cameras…
Health and Wellness
New York disability-rights advocates are celebrating the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The 1990 …
Social Issues
As summer winds down and North Carolina students prepare to return to school, the focus shifts to the urgent need for better public education funding…