Latest news with #resilience
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Texas Floods Cause Rising Human, Economic Toll Across Communities
CENTER POINT, TEXAS - JULY 05: A damaged home with debris littered around the exterior sits on the ... More bank Guadalupe River on July 5, 2025 in Center Point, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. (Photo by) Industry analysts estimate that the July 4 weekend floods in Central Texas caused $1.1 billion in damage to residential buildings. Much of that cost will be borne by owners, since an estimated 98% of properties in an area known as 'Flash Flood Alley' lack flood insurance. As Texan legislators meet to discuss disaster recovery, among other issues, it's worth looking at resilience strategies and challenges for those owners who plan to rebuild their homes. Local Home Economics "A natural disaster like the recent flooding in Kerr County has long-lasting ramifications for the housing market beyond just the physical damage to property,' observes ATTOM Data CEO Rob Barber. 'Floods lead to immediate drops in home values that can last for years before a region fully recovers,' he adds. Barber notes that homeownership costs can increase at the same time, due to insurance price increases and other expenses, (many of which are increasing along with other consumer costs). The real estate data pro cites research showing that homeowners with damaged properties are more likely to relocate out of the area than rebuild. They're also less likely to own their next residence. 'Essentially, a natural disaster like this makes it harder in many different respects to be a homeowner in the area,' he notes. According to ATTOM reporting, median year over year figures for Kerr County single family home sales remained flat at $375,000. In the past two decades, this region has grown by close to 25%, from 43,649 residents in 2000 to 54,170 in 2020. (Current population, before the July floods loss, was estimated at 54,177.) According to Census data, 10.4% of local residents are veterans, a figure significantly higher than the statewide and national 6.1% veteran populations. The Veteran's Administration may be able to help with disaster recovery. Human Costs The July floods have claimed 135 lives across multiple counties, according to NBC-TV's Austin affiliate, and more than 38,600 residential structures, according to These are the quantifiable losses. Reggie Ferreira, director of Tulane University's School of Social Work's Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy, knows there are many losses that aren't. 'Home damage from flash flooding, even when repairable, can significantly impact emotions and create stress,' he shares. 'Apart from losing valuables and having to rebuild, there is often still a sense of fear associated with moving back into your house. Questions such as, is the house sturdy? Is there potential mold in the house? And how will such an event impact my family's health and my personal health?' The disruptions to daily life and the financial impact from repairs can lead to difficulties sleeping and what he calls an 'overall sense of hypervigilance regarding weather updates.' In addition to a temporary or permanent loss of shelter is the potential loss of cherished, irreplaceable belongings and feelings of safety. 'There's also the sense of helplessness, shame, and loss of identity, as the home often serves as a symbol of stability and personal history over time,' Ferreira adds. Rebuilding For Resilience Ted Caplow, a principal with Miami-based architecture, development and construction firm Caplow Manzano, knows a thing or two about designing for flooding. South Florida streets frequently flood when heavy rains hit the region, not to mention get deluged with storm surge during hurricane and tropical storm events. His firm has developed homebuilding concepts designed to withstand this risk. 'In South Florida, we elevate against storm surges; in Texas they elevate against floods,' he notes. While coastal tides and river currents differ, both can benefit from comparable construction methods, he points out. 'On the Florida coast, we build almost exclusively out of reinforced concrete because other materials don't offer the same strength. In Texas, concrete should also be preferred when rebuilding in flood zones, although foundations will be more demanding than they are for a wood home (concrete is heavier and less flexible). And the more elevation, the better,' he declares. (Reinforced concrete is also more tornado-resistant.) Elevation is crucial. 'We have found that raising a house a full story - about 10 feet - is more useful than any smaller lift, because the space under the house becomes a bonus to the property owner when it's tall enough to park a vehicle or shelter an outdoor living room and recreational area. Building stronger and higher are obvious measures,' Caplow comments, but adds, 'there is another aspect to resilience that is frequently overlooked: the inside of our homes need to be designed to get wet.' This is a key component to the firm's innovative resilience design, which it calls 'hypostruction,' meaning building with less. Less drywall, less cheap insulation, less chipboard and fiberboard, (which fall apart when wet), less carpeting and ground level wood flooring, less air conditioning ductwork and less wasted space in wall and ceiling cavities, (where he notes that damage is hard to detect in time to prevent problems) are core to the concept. 'By eliminating these common building practices (as we did at our WELL-certified, LEED-platinum home completed in 2024 and called CM1) we can 'harden' our homes from the inside out, ensuring that if the structure is strong enough to withstand the floodwaters, then the house will not just survive, but continue to be habitable once the waters recede.' He points out the contrast with traditionally built homes that become 'crumbling mold hazards' after a soaking, leading to displacement and financial burdens. Resilience Economics 'Building an elevated concrete house is more expensive than building a timber ("stick built") house at grade. However, it's probably an investment worth making, depending on local economics,' Caplow points out. (The median home in Dade County, where his firm is based, was $528,770 in May, according to Zillow, so significantly higher than Kerr County's median, and there are significantly more properties valued at a million-plus,) This might be feasible for homes directly along the flood-prone river banks, but there are other ways to make a home flood-resistant, he says. 'Replacing drywall with MgOx board, cement board, or high grade plywood paneling adds maybe 5% to the cost of a home. If a home has a concrete slab, then choosing polished concrete as a finish, at least on the ground floor, is frequently cheaper than any other flooring. Insulation can be approached a variety of ways both on the inside and outside surfaces of the building envelope. Some methods, such as adding loose fill perlite inside the cavities in a CMU block wall, are inexpensive. Finally, switching from central AC to mini-split units is usually a wash from a cost perspective, with the added bonus that mini-splits are more efficient in operation, saving on energy and power bills.' Conclusions The Floridian observes that every region is different and local teams understand the challenges in their area better than outsiders. (I reached out to several local homebuilding professionals, but none were available to respond by deadline.) 'Keeping that notion in mind, I would say that the hypostruction concept is still portable. Instead of just looking at the outside, I would urge Texans to also focus on potential changes in the indoor materials, particularly a reduction in drywall, wood flooring, and other vulnerable materials in the bottom four or five feet of the first floor of a house. Floods can come in many forms, and not all floods carry the house away tragically, but all floods have a high cost in human time, energy, and quality of life. Waterproofing the most vulnerable and repeatedly ruined parts of our homes only makes sense.' ***Author's Note: All interviews were conducted by email between July 14 and July 23.
Zawya
18 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Africa Community of Practice showcases lessons from South Sudan on building resilient seed systems in fragile contexts
The FAO Regional Office for Africa Resilience Team held its third virtual Community of Practice (CoP) meeting on 8 July 2025, bringing together FAO staff and technical experts from across the continent. The session focused on practical lessons from South Sudan on strengthening seed systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings. South Sudan has made strong progress in increasing the use of locally sourced seeds, moving from 15 percent to over 55 percent in recent years. This achievement is supported by FAO's approach to working with both formal and informal seed systems, strengthening farmer cooperatives, training agro-dealers, and promoting local seed varieties. To ensure seed quality at the local level, the country has introduced informal Seed Quality Control Boards (SQCBs) at state and county levels. These boards help monitor standards in the absence of fully operational national certification bodies 'We are not choosing between formal or informal systems,' noted Felix Dzvurumi, Senior Programme Officer and Deputy FAO Representative a.i. in South Sudan, during the virtual presentation. 'We are designing practical solutions that work in fragile, rapidly changing environments.' The session highlighted efforts to engage the private sector by encouraging partnerships between seed companies and farmer cooperatives. The South Sudan Seed Traders Association plays an important role in linking producers and buyers. At the same time, FAO is supporting the preservation of indigenous seed varieties, which are well-suited to local conditions and offer resilience against shocks like floods and pests. FAO's support also includes work with the Ministry of Agriculture on a 10-year Agricultural Mechanization Plan, introducing tools such as seed planters, threshers, and cleaners to boost production. Seed fairs are being used to build trust and stimulate demand in local seed markets. 'Seed fairs give farmers direct access to seed options and suppliers, while building trust in the local system,' said Maurice Nyombe, National Crop Production Officer in South Sudan. The virtual CoP provided a space for participants from across Africa to exchange experiences, raise questions, and learn from each other. Topics included early generation seed bottlenecks, local market development, farmer-led innovations, and improving FAO's operational tools to meet field needs. Facilitated by Priya Gujadhur, Senior Resilience Officer at FAO RAF, the session reinforced the value of the Community of Practice as a platform for shared learning and continuous improvement. We are not just building systems—we're building confidence, capacity, and long-term solutions,' said Meshack Malo, FAO Representative in South Sudan.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
TMC July 2025 Pulse of the Network survey finds mortgage lenders leaning into automation, leadership development, and product innovation to stay competitive
SAN DIEGO, Calif., July 28, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Amid one of the mortgage industry's most prolonged stretches of cost pressure and market uncertainty, the latest Pulse of the Network survey from The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) reports that lenders are responding with creativity and nimble thinking, anchored by a clear commitment to long-term resilience. Conducted biannually, the Pulse of the Network taps the collective insight of TMC's diverse national membership of independent mortgage banks (IMBs) and depositories. The July 2025 edition offers a real-time look at how lenders address rising origination costs, evolving compliance risks, and the challenge of developing talent in a hypercompetitive environment. 'Our members aren't merely reacting to the market, they're actively rethinking how to deliver, lead, and grow,' said Jodi Hall, president and CEO of The Mortgage Collaborative. 'This survey shows the powerful role collaboration plays in helping lenders make confident, strategic decisions in uncertain times.' Key Survey Highlights: 'This Pulse confirms a central truth: in today's mortgage industry, success belongs to those who share, adapt, and lead together,' Hall added. Read the results here: July 2025 Pulse of the Network Survey Results About The Mortgage Collaborative The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) is a membership-driven organization that empowers mortgage lenders across the United States through networking, education, and advocacy. TMC fosters an environment of collaboration and innovation, ensuring its members succeed regardless of market conditions. For more information, visit NEWS SOURCE: The Mortgage Collaborative ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Jodi Hall, CEO and President The Mortgage Collaborative [email protected] ### Keywords: Mortgage, The Mortgage Collaborative TMC, Pulse of the Network Survey, CEO Jodi Hall, mortgage lenders, SAN DIEGO, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (The Mortgage Collaborative) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P128021 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Will Canadian, U.S. economies continue to show resilience amid trade war?
Description: CBC's senior business correspondent Peter Armstrong says the economies of Canada and the United states are showing resilience amid an ongoing trade war.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
England has finally found a way to banish all the 'years of hurt'. It's called women's football and the Lionesses
It felt like deja vu when Chloe Kelly smashed the ball into the back of the net, winning the game for the Lionesses and signalling the end of the Women's Euro 2025 final. England beat Spain after a tense penalty shootout. The word of the tournament was 'resilience', declared presenter Gabby Logan after the game. It is hard to argue with that. It was as though the team had written a list of milestones they were ticking off as the tournament progressed. They are the first English senior team to defend their title, and the first to win a major tournament on foreign soil. Their coach, Sarina Wiegman, simply said: 'A team is what we really are. We can win by any means.' And that positivity was infectious. They genuinely believed in themselves, and in turn we believed in them. When Lucy Bronze casually revealed she'd played the entire tournament with a fractured tibia – 'If that's what it takes to play for England, that's what I'll do' – it encapsulated the attitude that surrounds the whole team. Unlike the men, we never questioned if any of the players even wanted to be there due to a lack of financial incentive given that international matches pay so much less than they earn for club games. I tried to work out what felt so different for me watching them rather than the men's team. Not once did I give up hope. I never once had to 'self-soothe' by cramming sugary snacks down my throat. There was no mental preparation for the inevitable disappointment of yet another loss. Amid the celebrations, a question: why are we continually chasing glory through our men's teams when the women are the ones delivering? They have reached three major tournament finals in a row and have the level of success that the men's team can only dream of. There is a disdain we see time and time again across different sports. The women's rugby team have suffered the same kind of patronising attitude as well as those who compete on the track and field. The men's 100m final is referred to as 'the jewel in the crown' of track and field events: the women don't get nearly as much attention. It wasn't easy: it's never easy. Their tournament was briefly marred by the widespread media coverage of the online racial abuse received by Jess Carter after the admittedly dismal performance in that first game against France. But refusing to let that be the story, the Lionesses acted quickly, condemning the 'online poison', putting out a unified statement and announcing that they were opting to not take the knee before matches, as 'we and football need a new way to tackle racism.' After the final, Carter revealed she had been next up to take a penalty had Kelly missed, confessing she hadn't wanted to take it. Who could blame her? No one needs reminding of the racist abuse and death threats received by her male counterparts Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka during the Men's Euro 2020 final. She also said she had been 'disappointed' at how she had been painted during the tournament, but now 'couldn't give a damn'. The sweet taste of victory had clearly been enough to remove the bitterness left by the abuse. The 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, who had been a ballgirl at Wembley only four years ago, was named young player of the tournament in recognition of the fact the goals she scored in the quarter-final against Sweden and the semi-final against Italy saved England from elimination. The fact that, days earlier, she had been left off a photo of the team attached to a 'good luck' message issued by Buckingham Palace didn't seem to be on her mind at all. Today's joy is infectious: for the nation, for the nation's women. I can have a different conversation today with my daughter. We can talk about the team and what it is to be tough. We can talk about the naysayers, like Piers Morgan's 32-year-old son Spencer, who perhaps wants to be a contrarian just like his dad when he grows up, posted on X: 'That shootout was the funniest thing I've seen since the last one. 'Why can't the men win?' Because they're playing against people capable of kicking a ball,' he said. The dinosaurs: they live, they tweet. I remember seeing an interview with opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa after her retirement, when she was asked what it had been like to live at the height of her glory days. She replied: 'I hadn't realised at the time that's what they were.' For the Lionesses these are their glory days. Stop singing about 'years of hurt' and enjoy their success. It's everyone's success. Ava Vidal is a standup comedian based in London and patron of the charity Show Racism the Red Card
