Local and Regional Successes Can Inform Statewide Resilience Efforts in Georgia

Last September, Hurricane Helene caused historic devastation across the southeastern United States. In Georgia, Helene brought catastrophic flooding, sustained winds over 50 miles per hour, and tornadoes. The storm killed at least 37 people, left over one million without power, and destroyed $5.5 billion worth of crops and timber. Punishing winds destroyed hundreds of homes and buildings and damaged tens of thousands more across eastern Georgia.

Following the storm, Georgia’s House Study Committee on Disaster Mitigation and Resilience and researchers at the University of Georgia’s Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS) met with stakeholders across the state. Together, they examined how Georgia—with its growing population and economy—should plan for and manage future extreme weather disasters. The state legislature approved and convened the House committee earlier in 2024.

The committee organized three meetings in central and southeast Georgia to hear from communities and businesses, emergency management and disaster response professionals, neighboring states, and academic and nonprofit experts, including The Pew Charitable Trusts. That work is already paying off: So far in 2025, the Georgia General Assembly has taken up a number of recommendations in the House committee’s final report, including a bill that directs the creation of a statewide resilience plan and office of resilience. While the measure was not passed before the General Assembly adjourned for the year, the measure can be considered again in 2026—the second year of Georgia’s two-year legislative session.

Also in 2024, researchers at IRIS hosted four regional meetings and a series of interviews to inform a statewide assessment of disaster threats and vulnerabilities, barriers to enhancing resilience, and opportunities to improve long-term planning and investment to prepare for extreme weather. This spring, IRIS shared preliminary findings with nearly 70 attendees at the Statewide Resilience Assessment convening in Atlanta. Researchers highlighted successful municipal, county, and regional planning and projects and facilitated discussion about how a state resilience program could support and scale municipal and county action.

Courtesy of the University of Georgia

One such project that could serve as a template for the rest of the state is the Albany and Dougherty County Resiliency Playbook. The playbook offers guiding principles and recommended actions—from investing in disaster-ready infrastructure to planning ahead for economic disruption—that enhance resilience.

City of Dalton

In another local example, the city of Dalton, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwest Georgia, has a new stormwater management plan that comprehensively studied the city’s stormwater issues and identified 30 priority projects to address runoff and flooding. One such project was a city purchase of a flood-plagued home that was then demolished to expand the flood plain. This gives more space to floodwaters, moves people and property from harm’s way, and reduces the threat to other homes. Leaders in Dalton are also incorporating green infrastructure techniques, such as permeable sidewalk materials and bioswales, into new projects to limit stormwater runoff.

Local successes can serve as models for other communities and for state policy. IRIS researchers reported that participants in the group’s four regional meetings consistently said they wanted more centralized state guidance and resources that support community efforts. The Statewide Resilience Assessment, expected to be released this summer, will compile input from those meetings and the Atlanta convening to inform continued progress toward a more resilient future in Georgia.

Kristiane Huber works on climate resilience initiatives for The Pew Charitable Trusts’ U.S. conservation project.