Creating Resilient Communities Initiative in South Carolina

We know that our coastal communities are vulnerable to hazards such as hurricanes, storm surge and flooding. In the future, climate change may make impacts from these hazards even worse. We also know that our region is growing very rapidly. To guide future population growth and land development, and to maintain the overall health of our region, we need to protect our neighborhoods and important natural areas, and to avoid developing in areas vulnerable to natural hazards. The Creating Resilient Communities Initiative in the tri-county region of Lowcountry South Carolina (Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties) is using GIS-based tools to map regional resources, identify areas at risk from natural hazards and conservation areas that may help to mitigate hazards� impacts, and present this information in a people-friendly way that will help stakeholders and the public make informed decisions. This initiative will help communities in our region prepare to resist damages from hurricanes, storm surge and floods, including loss of property, income and lives. The project will help area residents make informed decisions about where land should be developed to avoid putting people and property at risk. And it will help communities take action to conserve natural areas, like marshes and floodplains, so they can continue to protect our coastal neighborhoods, regional economy and quality of life.