U.S. Disaster Preparedness and Resilience

August 28, 2013

Since 2010, the U.S. federal government has reportedly spent an average of $85 billion per year in response to severe weather events—more than double average yearly spending on such events in 2000–2009. Given growing costs, the United States and interested entities should consider steps that would enhance the nation’s natural disaster response, relief, and recovery efforts. CSIS and the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recently partnered on an event series focused on community resilience.

Our resulting white paper focuses on practical steps that the government, industry, and philanthropic organizations can take to improve U.S. disaster preparedness and resilience. The paper includes detailed, actionable recommendations, from using existing tools to establishing necessary frameworks to revising legislation and sharing information. Key officials can act on these recommendations now to help communities in the future.