Fostering Resilience: Community-Led Natural Disaster Mitigation in Eastern North Carolina.

Eastern North Carolina fosters communities that are culturally and geographically diverse and embody a strong sense of identity, resilience, and interconnectedness. However, the region's rural landscape and economic challenges contribute to the area being disproportionately affected by recurring natural disasters, including hurricanes and tropical storms. These natural disasters have a cumulative impact, exacerbating pre-existing social, economic, and health inequities. By expanding local knowledge, supporting culturally competent partnerships, and addressing structural inequities, more equitable and sustainable solutions to disaster resilience can be developed.