Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Resilience

Disaster resilience focuses on reducing harm before events happen and speeding recovery afterward. Extreme weather—like floods, tornadoes, snowstorms, and heatwaves—is becoming more frequent and severe.

How We Support Communities

Our program supports communities to …

  • develop or update emergency response and evacuation plans
  • identify and implement hazard mitigation projects (flood, storm, or fire risk reduction)
  • coordinate recovery planning that looks beyond immediate response to long-term rebuilding
  • align local efforts with regional and state resilience strategies.

How to Prepare

Communities can reduce impacts and keep people safe and services running by …

  • creating local resiliency plans
  • upgrading buildings and roads to withstand storms and flooding
  • doing community outreach on disaster preparedness
  • adding backup power to community buildings that provide key services
  • upgrading community buildings to serve as resilience hubs during disasters.

Why This Matters

Rural and small towns in Central Minnesota can benefit from tailored, cost-effective solutions that reduce the impacts of severe weather while helping keep essential services running.

Contact Us

Reach out today to start a conversation with a member of our disaster preparedness team.

Elizabeth Mboutchom

Elizabeth Mboutchom

Clean Energy & Community Resiliency Program Officer (320) 631-2060

News

Main Street Revitalization Program Fuels Investments

Since 2023, the Initiative Foundation has helped distribute more than $4 million in Minnesota Main Street Economic Revitalization grants to support 127 projects across 10… Read More

$67,000 Awarded for Energy, Resiliency Planning

The Initiative Foundation has awarded $67,100 through its Energy & Community Resiliency Planning Grant program to help six organizations prepare for the future through energy… Read More

Foundation Awards $432,000 to Projects in Five Communities

Small business owners in five Central Minnesota communities are making meaningful upgrades to their buildings and storefronts with $432,000 in grants from the Initiative Foundation,… Read More

More in Disaster Response

IQ Magazine Stories

A Hope, a Prayer—and a Plan

As weather patterns shift, communities plan for long-term stability. Read More

Long Prairie Drive-in Theater

This magical Minnesota landmark makes it worth the drive to watch a movie. Read More

Ultimate Stress Test

How Central Minnesota is facing the century’s biggest health crisis. Read More

More in Disaster Relief