Natural Disasters and Local Resiliency

Natural Disasters and Local Resiliency examines the impacts of natural disasters on local government operations and sustainability. Through case studies and interviews of local managers this book discusses action strategies to help local governments be more resilient to natural disasters.

As natural disasters increase in number, strength, and frequency in the United States and around the world, local government managers must confront the reality that their community may be the next to experience a natural disaster. Natural Disasters and Local Resiliency examines how natural disasters affect local government operations and budgets in the immediate and long-term and what lessons local managers can draw as they attempt to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from such disruptive events. The book contains interviews of local managers and presents in their own words the action strategies that they consider to be most effective for disaster preparedness, response and recovery given their own experiences managing different types of weather-related natural disasters. These frontline managers also share their insights regarding resiliency to biological natural disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This book can also serve as a valuable resource for practitioners at the local level who are leading and manage government services and programs.