Hurricanes, wildfires, economic collapse and other disasters can be natural or man-made, acute or long-term, foreseeable or unpredictable. Preparation for and recovery from such events requires both long-term planning and immediate action.

NACo works to strengthen county resiliency by building leadership capacity to identify and manage risk, and allow counties to become more flexible and responsive. Through the use of sustainable practices and infrastructure, counties will be better prepared to address these issues in a manner that can minimize the impact on local residents and businesses, while helping counties save money.

Through the initiative, NACo:

  • Develops strategies to foster economic growth and competitiveness;
  • Educates counties on techniques for implementing resiliency and sustainability strategies;
  • Provides tools for counties to educate their communities on resiliency initiatives;
  • Identifies ways to leverage changing conditions and take advantage of new technologies and innovation; and
  • Facilitates an open exchange with the private sector.

Related News

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Press Release

National Association of Counties Launches Disaster Reform Task Force

Local government leaders will tackle questions of resiliency, response and recovery 

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County Countdown – October 7, 2024

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.

Flood waters rise Sept. 27 from the French Broad River in the River Arts District in Asheville in Buncombe County, N.C. after Tropical Storm Helene pounded the area with rain. Photo by Colby Rabon / Carolina Public Press
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Counties dig out from deadly Hurricane Helene

Counties have been coordinating shelters, food and water distribution, information and making efforts to vet or refer people to donation managers in the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation across six states.

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Advocacy

FEMA lifts Immediate Needs Funding restrictions

On October 1, FEMA lifted the Immediate Needs Funding restrictions that were imposed on place on August 7 to manage the rapidly depleting balance of the Disaster Relief Fund. These restrictions paused funding for non-lifesaving and non-life-sustaining activities, enabling FEMA to focus on urgent disaster response.

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Senate Committee advances Disaster Survivors Fairness Act

On Wednesday, September 25, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a markup to consider 16 bills. Among them was the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act (S. 5067), legislation designed to reform federal disaster assistance programs to better support survivors, which passed out of committee with strong bipartisan backing.

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Podcast: Challenges mount for counties facing disasters

Clay County, Iowa Supervisor Barry Anderson joins the County News Podcast to describe the compounding effects from a generational flood his county seat faced in June.

Upcoming Events

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Conference

Gulf States Counties and Parishes Caucus Symposium

Lafourche Parish, La.

Join us at NACo’s Gulf States Counties and Parishes Caucus Symposium, where county and parish leaders will engage in dynamic mobile workshops and collaborative sessions.

Stay Up-To-Date on the Resilient Counties Initiative

Program Contact

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Danny Tomares

Program Associate

Sponsors

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American Gas Association
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Edison Electric Institute
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Hagerty Consulting
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Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS)
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National Association of Home Builders
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NextEra Energy
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Rubicon
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Tidal Basin