Options Database | U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit

Option	Hazards	Assets
Bury distribution lines to make them more resilient during hurricanes, severe winter weather and wildfires.	High Winds Severe Winter Weather Wildfire	Energy and Utilities
Capture the culture and history of high flood risk areas. For example, preserve and transfer the cultures and practices of migrating communities. Another example would be to document and honor culturally and historically important locations in areas subject to high flood risk.	Flooding – General	People
In case of power outages, ensure emergency personnel have access to and protocols for CB and ham radio usage. Ham radios require an informal network of operators. These communications can help emergency personnel maintain communication with residents and with one another.	High Winds Severe Winter Weather Wildfire Extreme Heat Flooding – Coastal Flooding – General	Critical Facilities People
In case of a wildfire, encourage the installation of water hydration systems (e.g., sprinklers), dedicated power sources and dedicated cisterns if no water source (e.g., lake, river, swimming pool) is available.	Wildfire	Property
Climate control retrofits (fans, A/C) for sensitive populations	Extreme Heat	People
In coastal communities, identify areas of the community in need of flood protection or absorption. Identify potential solutions for each area.	Flooding – Coastal Flooding – Rainfall-induced	Transportation and Mobility Multiple or All Assets
Collaborate to sustainably manage the regional water supply.	Water Quality Drought	Water Infrastructure – Drinking Water Water Infrastructure – General
Collaborate on a watershed basis.	Multiple or All Hazards	Multiple or All Assets
Collaborate with and learn Dutch Dialogues and other methods of managing and living with water.	Flooding – General	Multiple or All Assets
Collaborate with community-based organizations to develop or expand urban greening and urban agriculture programs. Greenery and urban gardens can help manage stormwater and offer cooling benefits during hot weather.	Extreme Heat Flooding – General	Agriculture and Food Supply Urban Landscape and Tree Canopy
Collaborate with emergency management officials to create a flood forecasting and community warning or public notification system. North Carolina has the Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network (https://fiman.nc.gov/), but the network does not have gauges in every community. Several communities manage their own programs and share data with the FIMAN system.	Flooding – Coastal Flooding – General	People
Collaborate with federal and state partners on flood protection projects.	Flooding – General Flooding – Rainfall-induced	Multiple or All Assets
Collaborate with healthcare providers to develop and promote a wildfire smoke exposure checklist. Educate providers who are unaware.	Air Quality Wildfire	People
Collaborate with local and regional partners to provide robust trail and park maintenance to prevent and respond to damage from climate change impacts.	Multiple or All Hazards	Aquatic and Marine Resources Natural Areas and Wildlife
Collaborate with local and regional partners to support business resiliency through preparedness education, trainings and resources.	Multiple or All Hazards	Economy
Collaborate with others to learn new methods of managing and living with water and sea level rise. One example is working with the Dutch Dialogues program.	Flooding – Coastal Flooding – General	Multiple or All Assets
Collaborate with partner agencies on water quality improvement efforts, including capital projects and programming.	Water Quality	Water Infrastructure – Drinking Water
Collaborate with partners to perform outreach to the community, particularly vulnerable populations.	Multiple or All Hazards Flooding – Rainfall-induced	People
Collaborate with public works departments and regional transit providers to increase shading and heat-mitigating materials on pedestrian walkways and transit stops.	Extreme Heat	Transportation and Mobility People
Collaborate with rail lines and airports to identify and address critical flooding areas (i.e., capital projects for stormwater infrastructure adjacent to rails, culvert improvements, etc.).	Flooding – Coastal Flooding – General Flooding – Rainfall-induced	Transportation and Mobility