Severe weather and natural disasters. It seems like everywhere you turn today, somewhere in the world is on fire, underwater or being swept away by a tornado.
In the six months since Hurricane Helene ravaged Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, it is crucial that we reflect on the progress made by communities across the region, as well as the scars and trauma that still need to be processed properly. But how did we get this far? And, if we’re faced with another severe weather event, how do we bounce back properly? While governmental policies, plans and funding do play a major role in disaster relief and long-term recovery, it doesn’t start there. It starts with community– more specifically, community resilience.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology defines community resilience as “The ability to prepare for anticipated hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from destruction.” In a report on the impacts of extreme weather events on public health, non-profit organization Healthcare Ready stated that “Community-level engagement is essential to developing resilience, especially in the face of a growing risk from climate change-driven severe weather.”
Now understanding the importance of community resilience, how can we best implement it in our individual lives? There are three key tenets to community resilience during disasters and severe weather: knowledge, communication and preparedness.
Starting with knowledge: ensure you, your family and friends are aware of the emergency services in your area. Sign up for emergency weather alerts, even if there’s nothing in the forecast. Communicate– as awkward as it may seem to talk about these things with friends, these conversations may help you out one day.
Know your community resources. Be aware of and get connected with local nonprofits or charities– they can be a source of information and even more resources in times of disaster. Prepare and make a plan. Ready.gov is an incredibly helpful resource for tips on how to ensure you’re prepared for every kind of disaster– from cyber attacks or volcanoes, to thunderstorms and hurricanes. If you have valuable documents or items, make sure they’re safe.
If being at ETSU means you’re far from home, make sure you’re educated on your community back home and the Johnson City community. At the end of the day, community resilience is having each other’s backs, lending a hand and being supportive, no matter what may happen.
