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https://raleighnc.gov/climate-action-and-sustainability/services/resilience-heat-and-flooding-raleigh
12/13/2024 2:39 pm

Resilience to Heat and Flooding in Raleigh

Updated: Dec 13, 2024

The image shows several examples of heat mitigation initiatives in Raleigh including splash parks, tree plants, and green stormwater infrastructure.

Each year in North Carolina, days and nights are getting hotter. Hurricanes and tropical storms are getting wetter and stronger. Increased high heat days and flooding are two of the most significant climate threats to Raleigh. The City of Raleigh is taking measures to prepare for both these threats and has several resilience resources available to residents.  

Resilience to Urban Heat

In 2021, we mapped urban heat islands in Raleigh. Some areas are hotter than other areas in the city. Learn more about the City’s heat mapping process.

After surveying the distribution of street trees in Raleigh, the City’s Urban Forestry team found that street trees were not equally or equitably distributed, with a particular lack of trees in Southeast Raleigh. Trees are being strategically planted in areas that would benefit most from the advantages of trees: cleaner air, reduced flooding, carbon dioxide absorption, shade, and lowered air conditioning costs. So far, at least 700 trees have been planted. The Street Tree Equity project is lifting up those most impacted by climate change in Raleigh.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from extreme heat.

Resilience to Flooding

In 2023, we piloted a program to forecast flooding conditions before and during storms. Learn more.

Learn where flooding often occurs in Raleigh.

Learn how to prepare for floods. 

Raleigh residents sit at tables listening to City of Raleigh staff present on climate action using presentation slides. 

The City of Raleigh Office of Sustainability presents on Raleigh’s Community Climate Action Plan. The presentation was part of the Watershed Learning Network, funded by the City’s NOAA Community Climate Education for a Resilient Raleigh grant. Community members were paid to train on community resilience. 

Community Empowerment

In 2023, The City of Raleigh has received a $440,000 grant from the NOAA Office of Education's Environmental Literacy Program for a three-year project to improve the climate resilience of Raleigh's vulnerable communities. Learn about the work here.

For further emergency preparedness, the City created the Ready Raleigh Guide which helps you prepare yourself, your family, your home and your community for emergency situations. This guide contains information about how to contact government agencies for specific information before or after an emergency, how to compile an emergency kit for your household, and what to do during specific natural and man-made hazards. Learn more and find the guide here. 

Contact

 

sustainable.raleigh@raleighnc.gov

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