Description: The hazard mitigation plan is one of the primary mechanisms that local jurisdictions use to plan for and reduce the impacts associated with various hazards such as but not limited to wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and drought. In the South Central U.S., there has been a persistent state of lack of approved plans or expired plans in many jurisdictions. This is due to a variety of reasons and is especially true for communities where local government capacity to complete such planning and implement risk reduction actions is limited.

This presentation will share results from a research study that sought to assess the current hazard mitigation capacity in low-capacity communities in the interior parts of the region and then determine how such capacity can be increased. Planners, emergency managers, and related officials (N = 31) participated in four rounds of state-based focus group cohorts. Four research questions investigated the following topics: 1) Why most low-capacity communities are unable to address their existing hazard-related challenges, 2) Additional capacities and capabilities that are needed to be able address hazard challenges that are being or will be exacerbated by climate change, 3) Improving an existing hazard mitigation planning template, and 4) Determining the hazard mitigation planning knowledge gaps that exist and new training curriculum that are needed. Insights from the focus group participants that led to several project deliverables and potential solutions will be shared.

Presenters: Rachel Riley (Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program, University of Oklahoma); Darrian Bertrand (Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program, University of Oklahoma); Ed Hecker (National Hazard Mitigation Association)

Description: The Gulf Resilience Community of Practice utilized funding from the National Academies Gulf Research Program to increase diversity and equity within its membership, by providing assistance to under-resourced communities, meeting them where they are with capacity building and technical resources in a project Joining to Understand and Strengthen Trust for Climate and Resilience Community of Practice.

As part of this effort, the COP was tasked with building capacity for submitting successful climate and resilience grant proposals within under-resourced communities through a series of workshops and a webinar. These workshops and webinar focused on basic grant writing and budgeting topics, with a focus on writing narratives in a way most appealing to funders. A total of 161 participants from across the Gulf attended the combined webinar and five workshops.

Workshop participants were engaged with presentations from potential funders from federal and state agencies as well as community foundations with private investments. There was particular focus on how to write an effective narrative that speaks to the priorities of the funding agencies, how to make the budget work with multiple entities on a project, and how to find and build relationships with partners that have common goals. As a result of the grant writing workshops, participants reported high satisfaction (3.8-4.0 on a 4.0 scale) with the content and 85% plan to apply what they learned to future grant opportunities. The main takeaway from this series of workshops is that providing tailored and localized support builds real capacity for under-resourced communities.

Presenters: Tracie Sempier (Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium); April Taylor (Texas Sea Grant).

Description: The Mississippi Delta, spanning regions of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, faces some of the most severe socioeconomic vulnerabilities in the United States. Specifically, rural communities are disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters and persistent economic hardship compared to their urban counterparts largely due to limited resources and accessibility. Understanding and strengthening resilience allows communities to be more prepared and proactive in emergencies. However, little research has examined climate resilience in rural areas through qualitative approaches. To address this void, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 37 mayors and town clerks in disadvantaged, rural communities throughout the Mississippi Delta to explore perceptions of climate-related disasters. Using Kammouh et al.’s (2017) resilience framework, we identified disaster preparedness responses that reflect both external and internal rural community characteristics. Respondents acknowledged an increase in disaster frequency, but often reported few major impacts in recent decades. Most demonstrated awareness of natural hazards, particularly tornadoes and heavy rains, and had some preparedness measures in place. Additionally, respondents expressed a strong sense of place and liked living in a small community with more trust and familiarity. However, nearly every respondent brainstormed ways to improve their community’s resilience, and indicated that they struggle with lack of resources and rely heavily on outside assistance. Our results reveal that disadvantaged, rural communities are often left behind in disaster recovery, and must be especially strategic and innovative with their constrained capacities. We recommend improved transparency from state and county agencies regarding grant opportunities and greater support for proactive, locally driven resilience responses.

Presenters: Mandie Flint (University of Arkansas at Monticello); Elena Rubino (University of Arkansas at Monticello); Kevin Boston (University of Arkansas at Monticello); Pipiet Larasatie (Virginia Tech)

Description: Given its location in Tornado Alley, Oklahoma communities are frequently exposed to the effects of high velocity winds. Smaller communities with limited staff and resources are particularly vulnerable. In the aftermath of the two tornado systems that touched ground in 2024, the towns of Sulphur, Marietta and Barnsdall lost substantial commercial and housing stock. Historic Downtown of Sulphur, located at the gateway to Chickasaw National Recreation Area, was largely destroyed and the community is confronting the reconstruction of over 100 years of growth. The Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management is helping these communities recover while developing a long-term Resilient Recovery Strategy, to build capacity and tools for recovery planning, grant management and reconstruction. This presentation will also explore partnerships, like the one between the town of Sulphur and the Chickasaw Nation like the historic facade restoration grant to create a vision for the town's future. The National Parks Service is also providing assistance through repairing damages to the parks and design services for recreational trails connecting national park lands to the community. Resilient recovery planning for Sulphur and other affected communities will set a blueprint to strengthen Oklahoma communities for future challenges.

Presenters: Cynthia Rolli; Kimberly Miller (Black & Veatch)

Description: As climate change intensifies flooding in coastal communities, the gap between technical vulnerability assessments and community priorities often undermines resilience outcomes. Public works agencies generate sophisticated climate risk data, yet struggle to translate these findings into strategies that reflect the lived experiences and priorities of vulnerable communities; particularly those who face the greatest flood risk.

This session explores how to bridge this divide through practical frameworks that make technical planning accessible and ensure community voices shape infrastructure decisions. Drawing on post-Hurricane Harvey recovery work and blue-sky resilience planning in Harris County, we'll examine how public works professionals can facilitate co-development processes that integrate climate-adjusted risk assessments with community-identified priorities, resulting in more equitable and effective adaptation strategies.

Attendees will explore real-world examples of translating hazard mitigation strategies, nature-based solutions, and updated design standards into community-legible frameworks. Attendees will be presented with case studies demonstrating how equitable engagement during blue-sky periods accelerates disaster response, improves federal funding success, and builds trust between technical agencies and frontline communities.

This session provides practical tools including community engagement templates, equity assessment frameworks, and rapid assessment protocols that document both infrastructure priorities and community needs—ensuring resilience investments serve those most at risk while meeting technical and regulatory requirements.

Presenters: Ryan Slattery (Freese and Nichols, Inc.)