Community Resilience in the Face of Natural Hazards

Natural disasters strike everywhere. They cause thousands of dollars in structural and property damage but more importantly, they often take the lives of thousands of people. The resilience of a community is critical when natural hazards become natural disasters. There are several things a community can do not only to be more prepared in the face of natural hazards but also to become more resilient. Because, the reality is, there will be times when not everyone in a community is prepared, or willing to take necessary precautions. When this happens, communities need to be able to recognize the issues and learn from mistakes.

No matter what the hazard is, some essential factors that communities need to consider include (but are not limited to) the following:

• a deep understanding of the natural hazard(s) that poses a threat to the community
• the proximity of a community to the natural hazard(s) or where they most often occur
• how natural resources are being used in a community
• an effective warning system for the natural hazard(s)
• the number of people who will respond to the warnings
• the number and location of safe areas/shelters
• the strength and quality of the materials being used to build structures and homes
• how available natural hazard information is to the public

There are also a few things that individuals, including myself, can do for their communities. It would be wise to make sure you have a disaster kit prepared at home. You can also perform practice drills with your family and even with the community. 

Remember: Natural hazards are inevitable, but there are ways to prevent them from becoming natural disasters.