WHY THIS MATTERS
Community Building
Our community is already experiencing the effects of climate change; intense storms, flooding, and extreme heat days are becoming more frequent and intense. Preparing our community for climate change means ensuring all citizens have the resources they need to live a safe and healthy life, from supporting our aging population to providing opportunities for sustainable and stable housing.
Cary is also focused on building a strong network of community members. Feeling connected to and relying on neighbors for support is crucial not only in climate emergencies, but also when facing other life stressors like mental health issues or financial burdens. The power of a strong community cultivates resiliency and helps residents navigate life challenges. For more information about local community events, visit the Cary events calendar.
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS
Protecting Our Most Vulnerable
Cary strives to serve all residents within our community. Extreme weather, heat, and flooding impact everyone, but can disproportionately challenge certain groups such as low-income and moderate-income households, seniors, youth, outdoor workers, and people with disabilities. These populations can face significant impacts as they may not have the resources or ability to prepare for climate emergencies. Cary provides unique programs, events, and services that focus on protecting vulnerable groups. Check out Cary's website for more information.
American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau (2021). North Carolina Heat Report, NCDHHS (2022). Wake County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, Wake County (2019).
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS
Stay Informed, Stay Ready
Survey results indicate that the majority of Wake County residents do not feel prepared for a hazard event and do not know where evacuation centers or storm shelters are located. Through ReadyWake, Wake County provides emergency preparedness information and resources to help citizens adequately prepare for extreme weather events. To learn more about Wake County's emergency preparedness resources and receive emergency alerts for staying informed register with ReadyWake. Registered in the past? Make sure your registration information is up to date for accurate resources and alerts. Cary also provides locality-specific emergency preparedness resources at carync.gov/readycary.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program
Through the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program (NIGP), Cary aims to strengthen neighborhoods by bringing residents together to complete projects that address community needs and benefit the neighborhood or community at large. If you have a garden project you'd like to start, Cary's tool lending library provides common garden tools for your group to borrow including wheel barrows, rakes, shovels, pitch forks, and more. Visit Spruce for more information and check out our website to learn more about the NIGP.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Healthy Homes Cary
The Healthy Homes Cary program supports low-income households by supporting housing improvements such as energy efficiency upgrades, critical repairs, accessibility modifications, and more. This support helps residents age in place, preserves safe and sanitary housing, and fosters climate resiliency. Learn more about Healthy Homes Cary.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Stay Informed and Prepare for the Future
Stay informed about extreme weather events and make sure you and your neighbors stay safe, healthy, and prepared.