How can United States of America a.k.a. USA invest in infrastructure improve resilience in high-impact storms?

1. Upgrading Critical Infrastructure:
   Identify and prioritize critical infrastructure, such as power grids, water treatment plants, hospitals, and emergency response centers, for upgrades to withstand high winds, flooding, and other storm-related hazards.

2. Investing in Resilient Construction:
   Construct new infrastructure with resilient designs and materials that can better withstand extreme weather events. Implementing building codes that consider hurricane-prone areas can lead to more robust structures.

3. Strengthening Transportation Networks:
   Improve transportation infrastructure to handle evacuation and emergency response during storms. This can include enhancing roads, bridges, and public transportation systems to remain operational under adverse conditions.

4. Implementing Natural Infrastructure:
   Invest in and restore natural infrastructure like wetlands, mangroves, and barrier islands, which can act as natural buffers against storm surges and coastal erosion.

5. Enhancing Flood Control:
   Develop or improve flood control systems, including levees, floodwalls, and stormwater management systems, to minimize flood damage to communities.

6. Stormwater Management:
   Implement effective stormwater management systems in urban areas to reduce the risk of flooding and prevent runoff pollution.

7. Improved Communication and Early Warning Systems:
   Invest in advanced weather monitoring, forecasting, and communication systems to provide early warnings and accurate information to the public, emergency services, and local authorities.

8. Public Education and Awareness:
   Raise awareness among the public about hurricane preparedness, evacuation routes, and safety measures to ensure that people know how to respond appropriately during storms.

9. Community-Driven Resilience:
   Involve local communities in the planning and implementation of infrastructure improvements. Local knowledge and input can help ensure that the infrastructure addresses the specific needs and vulnerabilities of each region.

10. Climate Change Considerations:
    Incorporate climate change projections into infrastructure planning and design to account for potential future increases in storm intensity and frequency.

11. Investing in Research and Innovation:
    Support research and innovation to develop new technologies and approaches for infrastructure resilience, including the use of smart sensors, AI, and data analytics to monitor and respond to storm impacts.

12. Government Funding and Collaboration: Allocate adequate funding for infrastructure improvements and foster collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sectors, to achieve comprehensive and effective improvements.

By focusing on these strategies, the USA can enhance its ability to withstand and recover from big storms, reducing the impact on communities and protecting lives and property during extreme weather events.

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Apply Here to Become a Civilian Engineer) are currently planning, designing, and constructing multiple components of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) program to improve 2.4 million acres of south Florida’s ecosystem (including Everglades National Park), reduce high-volume discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the estuaries, improve water deliveries to the Florida and Biscayne Bays, and enhance water supply.

Please view the interactive map of the Investing in America Infrastructure Bill.