Change can feel slow and almost imperceptible until a significant event occurs, revealing that things are no longer the same. It is important for local leaders and individuals to adopt a proactive stance in mitigating the rising future flood risk before it becomes too late. Time is a factor, and this presentation will explore how time can be both a liability and an asset. Property owners can draw lessons from the cautionary tale of iconic brands like Blockbuster and Sears, which failed to adapt to changes in the business environment, leading to their downfall. For community leaders, the evolution of societal attitudes toward safety regulations is evident over time, as illustrated by the historical successes of policies that took on drunk driving, seatbelt usage, and secondhand smoke. Perceiving future risk as a distant concern or denying that change is occurring can lead to complacency, inaction, and eventually missed opportunities. Local leaders and individuals can learn that taking action is necessary to ensure they do not miss out on protecting lives and property.

This event will include Live Captioning.