Track: B3. Prioritizing Resilience: Policy, Collaboration, and Environmental Justice

Background/Objectives

On the frontlines of the climate crisis, the American Red Cross is supporting communities and families across the country who are struggling to cope with more frequent and intense disasters. In the last 10 years, the numbers of billion-dollar disasters have increased 70%, more than 8.5 million people were displaced from their homes. In the past 5 years, more Category 4 and 5 hurricanes have made landfall than in the previous 50 years combined. The climate crisis is disproportionately affecting low-income families, older adults, communities of color and people with disabilities.  

When these families are forced from their homes by disasters, they tend to remain displaced for longer periods of time, experience an increased risk of poverty and suffer from worsening chronic housing, hunger and health challenges. 

As an organization that supports people at their most vulnerable amid the heartbreak of extreme weather, the Red Cross is making strategic investments that will enable us to grow our capacity and adapt our disaster mission to help families and communities better cope with the humanitarian crisis caused by the climate crisis. Firsthand, we see how chronic health and mental health conditions, food insecurity, and the availability of safe and affordable housing are worsened by disasters. We are partnering with local nonprofits that specialize in health, hunger and housing to build more resilient communities in disaster-prone areas where families are already struggling with existing societal inequities. This work is being done through our new Community Adaptation Program, which started in eight communities across seven states where there is a high risk for extreme weather and profound socioeconomic challenges. Through these partnerships with community nonprofits, we will help strengthen their capacity, capability and continuity to provide increased access to health and mental health services, nutritious food and safe housing for local families who are underserved. In turn, our partners will commit to working with the Red Cross during times of disaster to help get local families back home and mitigate disaster-caused poverty. 

Approach/Activities

The Red Cross hired teams of three in specific counties or parishes with the most demonstrated need from social vulnerability and hazard index. Three full-time team members—one manager and two coordinators—were hired, mostly from the community, and given a budget from which to build capacity, continuity, and/or capability. The primary focus is to forge collaborative relationships with partners and work with them to design enhancements that increase the partner’s steady-state capacity and capabilities, as well as their ability to provide community services during and after disasters.  

To do this, the Community Adaptation Program uses a variety of methods to help support our partners. Subject Matter Expert Consultation; Subject Matter Expert Planning and Development; Red Cross Sponsored Training; Volunteer Exchange; Data Sharing and Analysis; Equipment/Material Resource Provisioning; Grant (monetary).  

Programs start with a 90-day community discovery process in which the team analyzes data and interviews community stakeholders to better understand the resilience and vulnerability of communities in the county/parish. At the end of the 90-day community discovery period, the team completes a program launch strategy, outlining how they plan to build the program in their community. Once the strategy is approved, the team begins implementation, developing hyper-local community partnerships, and administering partner enhancements. 

Results/Lessons Learned

A Case Study of four Locations: Yazoo County, MS, Tulare County, CA, Sarasota County, FL, and Butte County, CA.  

Each of these locations represents diverse hazards (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires), but also represents a diversity of social vulnerabilities and a diversity of approaches towards building resilience. Each of these locations are at varying stages of implementation. 

Yazoo County, MS:   

The climate crisis affects all communities.  However, the impact is more severe for some people and communities coupled with the lack of basic essentials, such as food security, quality healthcare, and adequate/safe housing. We see the need in Yazoo County, MS and we see the need of the people.   

Yazoo County is the largest county in Mississippi with a population of over 26,373.  A little less than half of the county live in Yazoo City, MS (10,163) with access to some amenities that help them thrive.  However, over half of the county is located outside of the city limits without the basic living essentials, such as a grocery store, health facilities, or adequate and safe housing.  Some people live in areas approximately 20 to almost 30 miles from a grocery store, health facilities, or adequate and safe housing.   

Our plan is to continue growing the network and capacity of community partners to strategically increase community resiliency and reach those needing disaster assistance.  By enhancing what local non-profit organizations are already doing, the community, families, and partner organizations will be better equipped to begin recovery after a disaster and sustain after a disaster.   

9 Partnerships 

Health-3  

Housing-1  

Hunger-3  

Community Resilient Hub-2  

Some of the enhancements include the purchases of box trucks for food pickups and distribution, mobile medical vehicles, development of community hubs, and the construction of a food storage facility.   

Tulare County, CA: 

What's to Come: Strengthening Tulare County's Resilience 

Tulare County Overview: 

Tulare County, in California's Central Valley, renowned for agriculture and diverse communities, covers 4,863 sq miles (about the area of Connecticut). Cities like Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville, along with smaller communities, contribute to its total population of 482,000 (about half the population of South Dakota) (2022). 

Socioeconomic Landscape: 

Despite agricultural prosperity, challenges persist. Nearly 1/5 of the population resides in census-designated places (CDPs). About 23.8% live below the poverty line, with a median household income of $49,946. Healthcare accessibility concerns impact around 10.5% of residents under 65. 

Environmental Challenges: 

Tulare County faces severe droughts, water scarcity, and wildfire threats, contributing to a Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) exceeding the national average. 

Community Adaptation Initiatives: 

The Red Cross Community Adaptation Program in Tulare County is initially focused on Pixley, Alpaugh, Allensworth, Ducor, and Terra Bella—all census designated communities with very high social vulnerability, and relatively high and very high risk indices. 

Strategic Expansion & Partnerships: 

Phase I's focus sets the stage for broader and more equitable countywide impact. Partnerships with local nonprofits like Hands in the Community, FoodLink Tulare County, and Family Healthcare Network will aim to implement weatherization, disaster preparedness, and resilience programs.  

By EOY 2024 we will have at least 3 Hyper-Local Partners with signed MOU’S:  

• Hunger Partner: 1 

• Housing Partner: 1 

• Health Partner: 1  

Addressing Health Disparities: 

Active exploration of partnerships, particularly with Family Healthcare Network, aims to extend services like mobile health and dental clinics, potentially introducing vision mobile clinics. Addressing critical health gaps ensures a holistic approach to disaster resilience. 

Conclusion: 

Tulare County's commitment to community adaptation and disaster preparedness is paramount. The Red Cross Community Adaptation Program strives to foster a resilient foundation, ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents in Tulare County, especially those in census-designated places. 

Sarasota County, FL: 

Sarasota County has a diverse population of about 434,006 permanent residents, with a mix of urban and suburban areas, and rural communities. It is the 14th most populous county in Florida. It anchors the middle of Florida’s western coast, approximately 60 miles south of Tampa Bay. It includes the cities of Sarasota, Venice and North Port, and the Town of Longboat Key. It is a coastal community that encompasses 575 square miles (about half the area of Yosemite National Park) of land and is surrounded by 37 miles of open shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. 

The most common disasters for the Sarasota County area are hurricanes & storm events 58.61%, coastal flooding with 92.55% of the blocks in the Sarasota County potentially exposed to coastal flooding, wildfires, and extreme heat.   

Within the last 20 years, there have been 33 declared disasters by the County. Most of the disasters relate to hurricane related incidents which resulted in flooding and tornadoes.  It also has a history of extreme heat during the summer months. The average summer temperature is expected to rise by 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, largely due to climate crisis. 

Our goal is to continue growing the network and capacity of community partners to increase community resiliency and reach those needing disaster assistance.  By enhancing what local non-profit organizations are already doing, the community, families, and partner organizations will be better equipped to begin recovery after a disaster and sustain after a disaster.   

PARTNERSHIPS 

As of January 2024, the total number of partnerships with signed MOUs is 17. 

• Housing & Health (one being a resilience hub) – 11 

• Hunger – 6 

Our enhancements aim to decrease racial wealth gaps and allow people to age safely in place by advocating for safe housing and conducting critical home repairs; reduce health disparities in medically underserved areas by eliminating systemic barriers that produce health disparities and fostering partnerships to address social determinants of health; and increase access to healthy nutritious food by equitably offering an alternative models from emergency food relief while meeting people where they are. 

Some of the enhancements include the purchases of food storage, processing, and handling equipment; conducting critical home repairs; expanding access to mental health services; first aid and disaster preparedness education & kits; development of community/resiliency hub; provide legal aid services to clear the legal ownership of a property that may have been inherited, but the new owner’s name is not on the deed; purchase and installation of power backup systems such as solar panels and gas generators; installation of redundancy communications system; among others. 

Butte County, CA:  

As of the latest available data, the population of Butte County is estimated to be around 220,000. In Butte County, consisting of incorporated cities such as Chico, Oroville, Paradise, and Gridley, along with unincorporated areas, diverse populations with unique vulnerabilities exist. The entire county faces high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores, with approximately 17% living in poverty. The 2018 Overall Social Vulnerability Score of .8064 indicates a very high vulnerability level across the county. Specific locations, such as South Chico, Paradise, Concow, Oroville, Gridley/Biggs, and Cohasset, exhibit distinct challenges, including low Healthy Places Index, high poverty rates, and susceptibility to wildfires, floods, and extreme heat. 

In Butte County, recent wildfires have caused considerable destruction; however, wildfires are just one facet of the climate-related disasters anticipated to worsen in the region. With a changing climate, extreme rain events with reduced snowpack are projected, leading to heightened flooding risks. The lack of trees and roots exacerbates the potential for catastrophic mudslides or other flood-related damage in low-lying areas. Drought, a longstanding issue in California, is expected to persist in Butte County due to diminishing snowpack and extreme rain events. Additionally, extreme heat is modeled to increase, posing immediate health concerns for vulnerable populations. The overall number of wildfires may not rise, but the acreage burned annually is projected to increase. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) suggests a rise in severe drought and extreme wildfire risk. Flood risks are expected to increase with extreme precipitation events, while decreased snowpack and reservoir capacities contribute to heightened drought risks. Groundwater levels show a downward trend, requiring wells to go deeper. Extreme heat days are predicted to rise, impacting both general and vulnerable populations, with a significant increase in heat-related deaths anticipated. The diverse geography of Butte County, ranging from flood plains to alpine peaks, further complicates these hazards. Identified high fire hazard severity zones and flood zones emphasize the vulnerability of specific areas, necessitating comprehensive preparedness and mitigation strategies. 

Strategy: 

The Butte County Community Adaptation Team started by partnering with local foundations, non-profits, and key community members. Together they conducted listening sessions around the county, conveyed a town hall of non-profits and government agencies to form a collaborative effort to create a county-wide resilient plan. In this plan is the interconnected network of resilience centers working together as trusted messengers in their communities. 

Butte County currently has 17 signed MOUs with 4 more in progress currently. They are part of three collaboratives linked to hundreds of organizations. 

They currently have 26 enhancements moving through the system with 11 fully approved. Some key examples of enhancements include solar and batter backups for two resilience centers, a remodel of a church building to become a new community center, and the purchase of over 30 new refrigeration units in partnership with the local food bank to either increase capacity of food distribution or to create new food pantries in areas of need. 

In addition to direct funding and procurement, the Butte County team is helping write multiple grants for further funding. The Butte Resilience Collaborative, one of the collaboratives brought together from this work is currently working to map resources across the county and develop blue sky partnerships, along with procedures and resoruces to be deployed during disruptions.