Success Stories

*Disclaimer: Communities across North Carolina are exposed to climate hazards and natural disasters. The case studies contained in the Success Stories database show communities’ commitment to reducing risks to their residents and planning for the future. However, disasters can overwhelm both nature-based and engineered solutions. No approach or project can mitigate all risks. These stories highlight how communities use creativity and innovation to develop processes, partnerships and funding strategies for resilience projects.

View case studies on how leaders in North Carolina and beyond are building community and ecosystem resilience. To filter the results, select the categories you are interested in and scroll down to select "Apply." Submit your resilience success story.

54 results found
Regions
Action Types
Assets
Hazards
As a recommendation in the Princeville Community Floodprint, this rain garden was installed to help manage stormwater runoff from the Princeville Elementary School building. (Source: Conservation Trust for North Carolina)

Princeville, public universities and partners facilitate resilience planning that honors town history

Published: March 1, 2024
 

Princeville, N.C., a small historic Black town, is critically vulnerable to flooding. A levee partially protected the town, but multiple hurricanes exceeded its level of service, including Hurricanes Floyd (1999) and Matthew (2016). Princeville partnered with the NC State University Coastal Dynamics Design Lab to develop a plan for a more flood resilient future that acknowledged flood risk and honored the town’s unique history of Black self-determination.


Success Story Details

View of Quinault Indian tribal beaches on the Washington coast. All beaches are closed to public access along the tribe’s reservation.

Quinault Indian Nation plans for relocation

Last Updated: April 16, 2024
 

The Quinault Indian Nation village of Taholah, located in Washington state, is vulnerable to sea level rise, storm surge and river flooding. The Nation conducted a vulnerability assessment and developed a plan to relocated 650 residents and vulnerable community facilities a half-mile away above the tsunami and flood zones.


Success Story Details

Raleigh volunteer attaches bike sensor to collect data on ambient temperature, humidity, longitude, latitude, speed and course. (Source: Nicole Goddard)

Raleigh and Durham map neighborhood temperatures

Published: March 1, 2024
 

Raleigh and Durham, N.C. wanted to understand how summer temperatures vary across neighborhoods. Volunteers measured temperature, humidity and other metrics with sensors. Partners mapped the data to help local officials address excessively high temperatures in certain parts of town.


Success Story Details

Raleigh Department of Transportation applies titanium dioxide to roadway to reduce pavement temperature. (Source: City of Raleigh)

Raleigh curbs urban heat islands through pavement rejuvenation

Published: March 1, 2024
 

The City of Raleigh’s Transportation Department sought a cost-effective solution to the continuing costs of road repair and the negative health effects of urban heat islands. City staff used a reflective coating that protects the road surface from wear while reflecting heat.


Success Story Details

The planted median along Sandy Forks Road is a bioretention area. A bioretention area collects and filters stormwater runoff from surfaces like roads and sidewalks. The plants and soil in the area slow down rainwater and filter out pollution before it reaches a storm drain or creek (Source: Tiffanie Mazanek/City of Raleigh)

Raleigh includes nature-based solutions in its roadway widening project

Published: March 1, 2024
 

Sandy Forks Road was considered one of the worst streets in Raleigh due to congestion, roadway disrepair and environmental degradation. The City of Raleigh began the Sandy Forks Road widening project to repair the aging roadway, provide sidewalks and bike lanes, and increase the road’s resilience to flooding and other climate hazards.


Success Story Details