RISE Resilience Innovations

06/16/2026

AI is getting better at predicting storm surges 🌊 Researchers developed an AI model that predicts extreme storm surges with high accuracy and runs much faster than traditional methods. This allows planners to test hundreds of future scenarios and better assess coastal flood risk.

The impact: Communities can make smarter decisions about infrastructure, evacuation planning, and resilience.

When communities have access to fast, accurate prediction tools, they prepare better.

Extreme storm surges can be predicted much faster with high accuracy thanks to a new AI model that helps researchers and practitioners improve coastal flood risk assessment and adaptation planning.

06/12/2026

🌀 Hurricane Season has begun! For flood-prone communities, the next six months bring heightened risk. But preparation changes everything. Communities with early warning systems and preparedness plans respond faster and evacuate more safely.

At RISE, we help communities build resilience through innovative technologies, emergency response tools, and real-world solutions. Learn more about RISE challenges and how we support resilience innovation: https://brnw.ch/21x3jr8

06/10/2026

New research quantifies wetland conservation's real value for flood resilience:

🌊 Wetland loss since 1985 increased flood claims by $10.1 billion
🌊 Every hectare of upstream wetland lost increases flood claims by 0.01-0.03%
🌊 In 16% of U.S. subwatersheds, conservation benefits outweigh costs

Communities and policymakers now have the data to make smarter investments in wetland protection, proving nature-based solutions work. This is why RISE funds innovators building tools that help communities understand their flood risks and identify cost-effective solutions. When communities have the right data and technology, they can protect both people and natural systems.

Read the full article here:

Wetland conservation is an undervalued strategy for managing flood risk exacerbated by climate change. This study quantifies the impact of wetland loss on flood insurance claims across the USA, revealing a US$10.1 billion increase in claims since 1985. The analysis also highlights regions where cons...

06/03/2026

We don't just fund ideas, we connect innovators with communities facing real flooding challenges. Together, they test and refine solutions based on feedback, and scale what works. Since 2018, RISE has delivered measurable impact:

💰 $10M+ in funding for innovators
🚀 45+ pilot projects in real-world conditions
🌍 400+ submissions from 30 countries
💵 $50M+ in follow-on investment
👥 425+ trained in climate resiliency
💼 200+ jobs created or retained

Real-world challenges require real-life solutions. Learn more about our impact: https://brnw.ch/21x34vP

05/28/2026

When it comes to flooding, being prepared is key. Forecasters predict an 82% chance of a strong El Niño this year, which increases the likelihood of widespread flooding across the U.S. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21x2ULd

Be prepared for:
🌊 West Coast: Higher tides and stronger surf
🌊 Gulf & Southeast: Heavy rainfall from El Niño storms

NOAA warns: "Coastal communities face more frequent, deeper, and widespread high tide flooding." At RISE, we connect communities with innovators piloting climate resilience solutions that help strengthen preparedness and long-term resilience.

Forecasters are predicting an 82% chance El Niño will emerge between May and July.

05/22/2026

We are connection builders. We don't just fund ideas, we create pathways for real-world testing and community partnerships. When innovators work directly with affected communities, innovation meets impact. 🌊

Learn more about the progress RISE and FloodMapp are making together: https://brnw.ch/21x2KfO

05/19/2026

We’re excited to welcome Matt Wells to the Board of Directors at RISE!

With more than 20 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Matt brings deep expertise in resilience, floodplain management, economic development, and legislative strategy. As former Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, he helped lead major statewide resilience initiatives and oversaw hundreds of millions in flood resilience funding for communities across the Commonwealth.

Matt’s collaborative leadership style and extensive experience navigating complex policy and infrastructure challenges will be an incredible asset as RISE continues advancing resilience innovation and implementation throughout Virginia and beyond.

Please join us in welcoming Matt!

05/14/2026

We're proud to announce the Finalists of the Blue Ridge Regional Resilience Challenge:

Shepherd. AI by ParaWave
Lighthouse™ by Mērak Labs
FloodMapp
Impact Circle by Zero Circle

These innovators are advancing scalable community-centered solutions that strengthen resilience before, during, and after disasters.

05/11/2026

A new study shows 16.7% of the U.S. coastal population lives in very high flood-risk zones that cover just 1.1% of land. By 2050, an additional 500-600 square miles of urban coastal area could face high-tide flooding, putting $28-85 billion in property at risk.

Most at-risk cities:
🌊 New York: 4.75 million residents exposed
🌊 New Orleans: 99% of population in flood-prone areas
🌊 Norfolk, Charleston, Jacksonville, Miami, Mobile & Houston

The solution? Researchers emphasize combining green infrastructure, wetland restoration, and flood barriers with modernized early warning systems.

We're finding, funding, and helping to scale the next wave of flood resilience innovators.

Read more:

Flood risk along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coasts affects a disproportionate share of the population, with 16.7% living in very high-risk zones that cover just 1.1% of land, according to a new study.