Building Resilience

Cities and towns have firsthand experience with the social, operational, and financial challenges of extreme weather events, sea level rise, and other climate change impacts. In Rhode Island, cities and towns are leading the way by implementing solutions to build resilience. Using a variety of creative solutions, our communities are reducing risk to vulnerable populations, protecting key infrastructure, and planning for changing future conditions.



Providence, Newport, and Tiverton are engaging residents of public housing to help prepare for extreme heat and extended power outages. Warwick and Narragansett are building berms to protect their wastewater facilities from flooding and sea level rise. Cranston, Cumberland, Johnston, and Westerly have completed voluntary buyouts of flood-prone properties and returned land to the floodplain.

Community Resilience Resources