Building Resilience Together: Highlights from Disasters Expo Texas
- Cheryl Nelson
- Nov 7
- 2 min read
Ever wonder what really happens when leaders from emergency management, climate resilience, and infrastructure all come together in one room?
That’s exactly what happened at Disasters Expo Texas, where I had the honor of serving on the Advisory Board and moderating the roundtable discussion, “Urban Resilience in the Americas: Regional Collaboration for a Safer Future.”
This event brought together some of the brightest minds and most passionate professionals dedicated to one shared goal — keeping communities safe before, during, and after disasters. From emergency managers and meteorologists to technology innovators and policymakers, every conversation centered around one vital theme: resilience through collaboration.
Inside the Roundtable
The roundtable session I moderated sparked powerful discussions about how urban areas across the Americas can better prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural disasters.
We explored questions like:
How can cities collaborate regionally when disasters don’t respect borders?
What role can technology play in faster, smarter response?
How do we ensure communities most at risk are included in resilience planning?
The takeaway was clear — building resilience isn’t just about better infrastructure or updated plans. It’s about people. It’s about forming partnerships, strengthening communication, and ensuring that preparedness becomes part of everyday community culture.
Why It Matters
As someone who’s worked in meteorology and disaster preparedness for years, I know firsthand that preparation saves lives. But true resilience goes deeper — it’s proactive, inclusive, and built long before the next storm appears on the weather map.
Seeing professionals from across sectors come together reminded me that we all have a role to play, whether we’re community leaders, business owners, or residents looking out for our neighborhoods.
A Question for You
How does your community prepare for severe weather or emergencies? What resilience lessons have you learned where you live?
Let’s keep this important conversation going — because resilience grows stronger when we share ideas and work together.
Stay Connected
If you’re passionate about preparedness, weather safety, and resilience, I’d love for you to stay connected.
Subscribe to the Prepare with Cher newsletter for practical tips and expert insights on weather safety and travel preparedness.
Together, let’s keep learning — and keep preparing.
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