Connections, Preparedness, and the Power of Shared Experience

In September, I had the privilege of attending the NC Mayors Association meeting in Asheville, where the group heard a powerful presentation from the City of Asheville about their experience responding to Hurricane Helene. Their story was both sobering and inspiring, and it underscored a critical truth: disaster can strike anywhere, and preparedness is not optional. It’s essential.

Whether your municipality is nestled in the mountains, situated along the coast, or somewhere in between, the lessons learned from past disasters across North Carolina are relevant to us all. From hurricanes to floods to winter storms, our state has seen it all. And through it all, our communities have leaned on each other, shared resources, and built resilience together.

As hurricane season winds down, now is the time to take stock. Let’s reflect on what we’ve learned, assess our readiness, and leverage the incredible knowledge base we have within the League and our State’s resources. We have experts, tools, and municipal know-how that can help every member strengthen its disaster planning and response strategies, not just for today, but for the years ahead.

This is another example of how the League serves as a one-stop shop for member cities and towns. Through our advocacy, technical assistance, and education, the League has been working to strengthen your disaster preparedness resources. Our goal is to help you navigate the challenges you face and connect you to the appropriate resources and assistance. I encourage you to take advantage of these resources and keep an eye out for even more in the coming months. And if you have insights or experiences to share, please reach out—we grow stronger when we learn from one another.

As always, thank you for your leadership, your engagement, and your commitment to working together. Our unity is our strength, and our shared efforts are what keeps North Carolina cities and towns prepared for the future—whatever it may bring