The number and cost of weather and climate disasters are increasing in the United States due to a combination of increased exposure, vulnerability, and the fact that climate change is increasing the frequency of some types of extremes that lead to billion-dollar disasters. Given all these compounding hazard risks, there is an increased need to focus on where and how to build and coordination with investments in infrastructure resiliency designed for a 21st century climate.

Sunny Wescott, CISA ISD’s Lead Meteorologist focusing on Extreme Weather Outreach, will present on climate trends, extreme weather events, critical infrastructure threats, and resiliency as increasing weather hazards present national and international risks to stability. Ms. Wescott is considered a subject matter expert for multiple climatological events such as drought, subsidence, wildfires, tropical cyclones, and extreme winter weather events.