Disaster Preparedness
U.S. islands need government policies that support a functional and prompt response to any natural disaster that recognizes the unique challenges islands face when responding to natural disasters.
Despite years of relief aid and funds from the federal government, islands are still not climate resilient or prepared to withstand strong hurricanes and tropical storms. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017, islands remain ill equipped, vulnerable, and severely under prepared for the next, stronger storm. Incoming funds must be spent in a way that addresses islands’ climate resilient goals, and any rebuilding effort must contribute a net positive impact towards climate change. Part of building up island capacity also includes supporting the capabilities of the island workforce and ensuring island government structures are capable of implementing climate resilient policies focused on preparedness.
The following federal policy recommendations will help U.S. islands achieve climate resilience:
Incorporate island community knowledge and expertise into federal disaster response policies.
Ensure that funding mechanisms for disaster preparedness and response programs work for island communities.
Require federal agencies to implement best practices for disaster preparedness and response efforts to ensure mistakes of the past are not repeated.
Require that all building, re-building, re-designing, or upgrading of structures and infrastructure must be done in a way that ensures they can withstand hurricanes and meet each island’s climate resiliency goals, and ensure that islands have the funding and support to meet those requirements.
Require a robust and quantitative consideration of resilient relocation of structures damaged or destroyed in natural disasters.