Emergency Management (Extreme Weather, Heat, Natural Disasters)

Objective

People who are over 65, have a disability, are unhoused, lack reliable internet access, are low-income, and/or are people of color are far more vulnerable to the negative impacts of extreme weather events and natural disasters. They also may have more limited access to emergency management services.

Are you adequately equipped with the workforce and resources needed to effectively respond to extreme weather events and natural disasters? Are you providing resources to equip homes so they can withstand extreme weather events? Are you ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to needs-based resources during and after an extreme event or disaster? Do people in your community have access to the proper insurance?

Examples of Data Needed for Equitable Strategy Development (Qualitative and Quantitative)

Identification of vulnerable communities. Refer to:

  • CDC Social Vulnerability Index 2018 at the census tract level (available on DNR website)
  • EPA’s Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
  • Wisconsin Environment and Equity Tool (WEET)
    • The tool will combine, analyze and visualize data online, so government and tribal agencies, community-based organizations, and the public can pinpoint Wisconsin’s most impacted communities.
    • The tool will help all users better understand the challenges impacted communities face from pollution, a changing climate, socioeconomic factors, and other environmental and health hazards.

Examples of Equity-Based Municipal Strategies

Heat:

  • Maintain heat maps and heat alert systems
  • Determine where to locate cooling centers
  • Coordinate with local hospitals and clinics to plan for extreme heat events, communicate with patients, and collect data

Flooding:

  • Maintain maps of flood-prone areas and flood alert systems

Communications:

  • Develop a communication plan with trusted community-based organizations to disseminate vital information to people who lack reliable internet access during an emergency

Responsible Local Agency or Department

  • Emergency Management Services
  • Public Health

Opportunities

  • Increased technical assistance funding available thru both IRA and BIL
  • Especially for rural communities, there is the potential to link climate adaptation and outdoor recreation

Obstacles

  • Share of federal climate resilience funding going to interior states is only 16%

Resources and Contacts for Technical & Policy Support