Building Resilient Communities: Insights from Kait Morano at Georgia Tech

In a recent interview on The Weather Channel, Kait Morano, a research scientist from Georgia Tech, discussed disaster resilience and the strategies communities can adopt to withstand extreme weather events. The discussion was particularly focused on the aftermath of hurricanes and the opportunities for rebuilding that they present.

Understanding Resilience:
Morano emphasized that while events like Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, and other powerful storms cause widespread devastation, they also provide unique opportunities for transformative change. "Communities can take advantage of funding sources available after extreme events from the federal government, private equity firms, and philanthropic organizations to build back better," she said. “The key is having post-disaster redevelopment plans in place to seize these opportunities and build resilience against increasing storm frequency and severity.”

The Role of Zoning:
The conversation also touched on the controversial topic of zoning. Morano acknowledged that while zoning can be politically and publicly contentious, post-disaster scenarios create a window for necessary change. "Often, zoning ordinances inadvertently encourage development in high-risk areas," she explained. “Post-disaster periods allow communities to reassess these policies and potentially shift development to lower-risk areas, enhancing overall safety and resilience.”

Moving Forward:
Morano's insights highlight the need for proactive planning and policy reassessment to create safer, more resilient communities. As extreme weather events become more frequent, her expertise underscores the importance of seizing post-disaster opportunities to implement long-term, sustainable changes.

For communities looking to weather the storms of the future, the message is clear: resilience is not just about surviving the next storm, but about preparing and planning to thrive in the face of inevitable challenges according to Morano.
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Kait Morano is the resilience planning director for the Coastal Equity and Resilience Hub (CEAR Hub) and research scientist with Georgia Tech. CEAR Hub, a research project supported by Georgia Tech’s Institute for People and Technology, is working with coastal communities to build a future informed by data, guided by strategy, and empowered by knowledge. Their work is organized around three core pillars: environmental sensors and decision support tools, community engagement and planning, and K-12 education and workforce development.

A portion of her interview with The Weather Channel on October 24, 2024 can be found here: https://fb.watch/vvk6ABVAe0/