The Calm Before the Storm: Disaster Planning and Rural Resilience

Home » Community Action » Resilience Plans » The Calm Before the Storm: Disaster Planning and Rural Resilience

The Calm Before the Storm: Disaster Planning and Rural Resilience

Home » Community Action » Resilience Plans » The Calm Before the Storm: Disaster Planning and Rural Resilience

The Calm Before the Storm: Disaster Planning and Rural ResilienceThe Aspen Institute’s blog curates lessons and resources from the Thrive Rural Open Field session for rural and tribal communities. This blog entry explains why it makes fiscal sense for local communities to engage in disaster planning well before a crisis hits.

The blog helps browsers understand state government programs can help communities conduct emergency planning. Provided are examples of how coordinating and collaborating regionally allows a greater spread of communities to work together to prioritize scarce planning resources.

The blog brings attention to centering equity and culture in disaster planning response and includes the link to a new tool and platform for inclusive disaster recovery. There are also considerations for health and disaster recovery, mainly mental health support.

The blog simplifies resilience planning tips and the gaps in resilience planning that need to be filled.

Click here for more information.

Become a Member
Become a Sponsor
Become a Volunteer

Sign Up for E-News

Get news and notifications from Resilient Virginia.

The Resilience Calendar

  • Extreme Weather Events and Insurance: Insurance as Adaptation
    Date: December 12, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    This NASEM webinar will address insurance more broadly as a form of adaptation, and the limits to insurance in terms of spreading risk and risk reduction, its business model, and resilience for individuals and…

  • Spotlight On the Virginia Climate Assessment
    Date: December 12, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    Join Dr. James Kinter of George Mason University for an in-depth look at the newly released Virginia Climate Assessment!

    Learn more and register here.

  • Designing Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs) for Sustainable Growth
    Date: December 15, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    The Maryland Department of Planning is presenting a webinar, “Designing Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs) for Sustainable Growth”. APFOs ensure that infrastructure and community facilities can keep pace with growth, but if not designed…

  • Managing Forests as Habitat in a Changing World
    Date: December 16, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    This 12-part monthly webinar series will feature interactive panel discussions that explore shifting impacts on forest habitats and adaptation options for natural resources management. Panels will represent a diversity of scientists and natural resource…

Latest News & Resources

Introducing the Resilience Foundations Certificate: Empowering Practitioners to Build a More Resilient Commonwealth

Virginia is facing growing challenges from sea-level rise, recurrent flooding, extreme heat, and economic disruption—making coordinated resilience planning more essential than ever.
Beginning in 2026, Resilient Virginia will launch the Resilience Foundations Certificate Program, a first-of-its-kind professional development initiative that brings together leaders from government, business, academia, and community organizations to advance systems-level resilience across the Commonwealth.

Read More »

Resilient Virginia News: Fall 2025

The Power of Partnership … Spotlight On Webinar Series … Resilience Certificate Survey … Interactive StoryMaps Advance Climate Equity … RVCA Updates … Tackling Emerging Contaminants Water Technical Assistance … Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Initiative … Firewise Virginia Community Hazard Mitigation Grant Program … more.

Read More »

Where Data Meets Story: Mapping Equity in Virginia

VCU RISE has launched interactive StoryMaps to highlight environmental justice issues in Charles City County, Emporia, and Richmond. Learn how these equity-focused tools blend local data, maps, and community stories to support planning, resource access, and climate resilience.

Read More »

The Power of Partnership: What It Means to Be a State Affiliate of ASBN

Resilient Virginia has joined the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) as a proud state affiliate—connecting our local work to a powerful national movement for a just, equitable, and sustainable economy. This partnership gives us—and our members—greater access to resources, national campaigns, funding opportunities, and a stronger policy voice. Learn how this affiliation is helping us scale impact and drive sustainable change across Virginia.

Read More »