The University of Washington has launched the nation’s first Landslide Exposure Database, identifying about 6.5 million Americans living in areas at high risk of landslides. The tool assesses 128 million buildings nationwide and combines landslide hazard data with socioeconomic indicators to pinpoint the communities most vulnerable to impacts and recovery challenges. Researchers found that nearly 80% of at-risk residents live in Appalachia and along the West Coast, with West Virginia showing the highest share of exposed residents. The analysis also…
Category: Center for Disaster Resilient Communities
Breaking down data silos to improve emergency preparedness
University of Washington researchers affiliated with the Center for Disaster Resilient Communities recently published outcomes from a partnership with researchers and public health leaders across the Pacific Northwest to develop a blueprint for a regional data ecosystem designed to improve preparedness and response to public health emergencies. Using a collaborative, user-centered process, representatives from Tribal, state and local public health agencies, health care coalitions and academic institutions identified ways to break down data silos that often hinder timely decision-making during…
CDRC contributions at the 2026 Natural Hazards Workshop and Researchers Meeting
The University of Washington Center for Disaster Resilient Communities (CDRC) had a significant presence at this year’s Natural Hazards Workshop and Researchers Meeting in Broomfield, Colorado. The gathering brought together researchers, practitioners and community leaders from across the country to share ideas, learn from one another and explore how to make hazard and resilience work more useful and equitable. Throughout the workshop, CDRC leadership and team members contributed to a wide range of discussions—highlighting topics such as community partnerships, climate-driven…
New study predicts where landslides could dam rivers and cause flooding
A study co-led by University of Washington researchers presents a new way to identify where landslides are most likely to block rivers and create dangerous natural dams. The approach estimates dam risk by combining how wide a river valley is with how big future landslides might be, using existing maps and automated measurements. When applied to Oregon’s Coast Range, the results show that about one‑third of river sections have a high chance of being blocked by landslides. Most of these…
Call for input on new public health emergency preparedness competencies
Public health emergency preparedness has evolved significantly over the past decade, shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting workforce needs and a growing emphasis on equity and community resilience. However, the competencies that guide this workforce have not been updated in more than 10 years. In response to these changes, researchers at the University of Washington have collaborated with practice and academic partners to produce an updated draft set of public health emergency preparedness and response (PHEPR) competencies for all public…
CDRC faculty director featured in National Geographic article on disaster preparation
In a recent National Geographic article on disaster preparedness, two experts discussed how individuals can better prepare for increasingly frequent and severe climate‑driven hazards. Nicole Errett (pictured), the faculty director of the University of Washington’s Center for Disaster Resilient Communities, emphasized that preparedness planning is most effective when done calmly in advance, rather than during a crisis. She described integrating readiness into daily life by routinely rotating supplies like water, keeping a full gas tank and cash on hand and…
CDRC Deputy Director Dr. John Y. Choe Named to Prestigious NSF NCAR Innovator Cohort
John Y. Choe, Deputy Director of the Center for Disaster Resilient Communities and Associate Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at University of Washington, was selected for the NCAR Faculty Innovator Program 2026–2028 cohort. His project, ACE‑FIRES: AI‑ and Co‑production–Enabled Fire Intelligence for Resource‑Efficient Suppression, reflects the program’s goal of supporting transformative, interdisciplinary research that advances environmental resilience. This year’s competition drew 167 initial applications, representing a remarkable breadth of expertise and ambition. From this pool, only 17 faculty members…
Study abroad this summer: Learn about “Roots of Resilience” in Italy
Join us for an information session at 3 p.m. Pacific on Thursday, January 8, 2026, about the University of Washington’s “Roots of Resilience: Disasters, Community, and Sustainability in Southern Italy” (ENVH 490, 9 credits), a month-long, interdisciplinary study abroad program set in Rome and Sicily. Sicily’s dynamic blend of environmental challenges and rich cultural traditions makes it an exceptional setting for exploring disaster resilience, while immersive learning prepares students for future leadership in global environmental public health and community sustainability….
Supporting Western Washington’s response to historic flooding
The University of Washington’s Center for Disaster Resilient Communities supports communities before, during and after disasters. With historic floods impacting Western Washington, we are committed to supporting our practice partners with our research resources to help affected communities. In past disasters, we have partnered to: Assess and map damage and exposures Use AI to streamline manual processes Conduct community needs assessments (e.g., Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Responses, trauma-informed listening sessions, surveys) Evaluate health and well-being impacts Analyze the…
New study explores how public housing authorities implement disaster risk
New research examines how the United States is facing a dual crisis: a growing shortage of affordable housing and an increase in climate-driven disasters. The team, which was led by University of Washington researchers, found that disasters disproportionately affect extremely low-income renters living in federally subsidized housing managed by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). A national survey revealed that PHA characteristics – such as size, urban location, political context and perceived hazard risk – significantly influence their disaster risk management (DRM)…