RISE Resilience Innovations

10/12/2026

Heavy rain, high winds and flooding are expected across Hampton Roads on Sunday as the remnants of Hurricane Isaias move through our region. 🌧️

Severe weather events like this are a reminder of how quickly conditions can change and why communities must be prepared for the challenges they bring.

While staying informed and prepared is essential, building long-term resilience is just as important. At RISE, we support innovative solutions that help communities better anticipate, withstand and recover from flooding and extreme weather.

Read more about the expected impacts on Hampton Roads: https://ow.ly/8LK750ZWQ8m

For Mexico’s small businesses, flood risk is often invisible until it’s too late. Through a new pilot with Floodbase, we’re testing whether satellite data, AI, and accessible parametric insurance can make that risk visible and help businesses prepare and recover.

10/12/2026

Small businesses in Mexico face some of the world’s costliest climate disasters, yet fewer than 5% carry flood insurance. With limited budgets and competing priorities, justifying the cost of a policy is hard, especially when the risks aren't quantifiable.

RISE alumnus Floodbase is changing that. Through a new pilot, the company is using satellite imagery and AI to give small business owners real-time flood alerts, localized risk data, and affordable parametric insurance, all on one platform.

Read more about the pilot here:

For Mexico’s small businesses, flood risk is often invisible until it’s too late. Through a new pilot with Floodbase, we’re testing whether satellite data, AI, and accessible parametric insurance can make that risk visible and help businesses prepare and recover.

10/08/2026

🌍 Climate Week NYC

We had a great time in New York seeing RISE Alumni, chatting with old friends, and making new friends! The sessions were inspiring and affirming. We're back in Virginia this week, meeting with planners and decision-makers across the Blue Ridge region, continuing to refine how we connect first responders and planners with the newest climate resilience tools and tech.

10/05/2026

🌊 Rivers sustain us. They also flood. And when they do, communities can face widespread problems.

RISE has expanded our commitment to riverine communities across Virginia's Blue Ridge region, funding innovations in flood monitoring, early warning systems, and sustainable finance to help communities live safely alongside rivers.

Learn more about RISE Solution Builders: https://ow.ly/czfU50ZUIum

09/30/2026

Tidal flooding and strong winds are once again impacting communities across Hampton Roads, highlighting the challenges our region continues to face from coastal flooding.

At RISE, we support innovators developing real-world solutions to help communities better prepare for, respond to and recover from flooding and other climate-related challenges. Events like these reinforce why building resilience today is so important for our region’s future.

Read more about the conditions impacting Hampton Roads!

Yesterday was rough in some places. There were numerous wind gusts to over 35mph and a few over 40mph. However, the worst problem that the area had was tidal flooding. We had minor to moderate tida…

09/23/2026

This month, prepare your family. Then ask your community: What flood resilience tools are you implementing? 🌊 During National Preparedness Month, FEMA's Ready Campaign encourages families to take four simple steps: make a plan, build a kit, stay informed, and get involved.

For flood-prone communities, this means knowing your evacuation routes, having emergency supplies for 72 hours, signing up for flood alerts, and supporting community preparedness efforts.

But personal preparation is only part of the solution. Communities also need flood forecasting, early warning systems, and emergency response tools. RISE funds the innovative technologies that help communities respond faster to floods and extreme weather. Learn more about RISE: https://ow.ly/AP6y50ZQeH2

Real resilience requires both: your household prepared and your community equipped with smart flood resilience tools.

09/22/2026

Introducing The RISE Alumni Network, a new landing page celebrating and connecting our growing community of innovators transforming flood resilience.

🫱🏼‍🫲🏾28+ alumni organizations
🌊 45+ pilot projects deployed

Our alumni aren't just past winners. They're actively advancing flood resilience right now. From Virginia communities to regions across the country, these innovators are testing solutions, learning from communities, and scaling what works.

Explore the alumni network: https://ow.ly/fzUa50ZQez9

09/16/2026

Representing RISE, Paul Robinson and Betsy Hnath are heading back to Climate Week NYC to connect with leaders, exchange ideas and explore what’s next in climate innovation and resilience.

As one of the world’s largest climate events, Climate Week NYC brings together experts and organizations from across sectors for conversations around sustainability, emerging solutions and meaningful climate action.

Learn more here: https://ow.ly/AseH50ZOkZR

09/15/2026

September is National Preparedness Month 🌊 and a great time to conduct a disaster readiness review!

✅ Make a plan. Know where to go, what to do, and what you'll need to bring
✅ Be in the know. Sign up for community warning systems
✅ Build a kit. Start gathering emergency supplies now

In addition to encouraging individual preparedness, Virginia is stepping up with the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, building statewide resilience infrastructure, coordinated warning systems, and resources to support communities. Read more:

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

09/11/2026

Staunton, Virginia, just adopted its first Flood Resilience Plan, marking an important step toward a more resilient future and opening the door to state and federal funding for infrastructure improvements. Read more: https://ow.ly/gjms50ZMNum

What stands out is how the plan was developed. Nearly a year of community engagement, including public surveys and listening sessions, helped ensure residents’ experiences and concerns informed Staunton’s priorities.

That community-driven approach is an important part of building effective resilience solutions. Communities understand their challenges firsthand, and pairing that local insight with the right tools and technologies can help turn resilience plans into action.

That’s where RISE comes in. We fund real-world pilots for small businesses developing innovative solutions that help communities like Staunton address real resilience needs and put their plans into practice. Learn more about our solutions: https://ow.ly/48JW50ZMNur

Staunton took a big step last week to set the course for the work that needs to be done to limit the impact of future flooding.