Beyond the Storm: Lessons on Community Recovery, Resilience, and Rebuilding

Benjamin I Duncan, II Chief Resilience Officer /State of South Carolina and South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR)

Chris Joyell Healthy Communities Director /MountainTrue

Gerard Albert III Western North Carolina Rural Communities Reporter /Blue Ridge Public Radio

Mike Collins Host /WFAE

Natural disasters have reshaped communities across the Carolinas. This panel examines shared lessons from hurricanes, flooding, extreme heat, and severe storms to explore what recovery truly requires. Panelists will discuss what has worked, what has fallen short, and how communities can rebuild in ways that strengthen resilience and equity. The conversation looks beyond infrastructure to include housing stability, access to resources, trust in systems, and mental health while identifying insights that can inform future preparedness and response.