How Policy Shapes Our Response to Natural Disasters

Dear Eastwick Friend,

Welcome Back to the EFNC Newsletter!

Every Sunday, we bring you updates and insights on Eastwick and beyond. In this four-week series, we’re exploring the connection between the Southern California wildfires and the challenges Eastwick faces—showing how disasters, whether fire or flood, are shaped by policy decisions.

This week, we’re focusing on how policy shapes our response to natural disasters. From delayed flood protections in Eastwick to inadequate wildfire mitigation in California, government decisions determine who gets help and who is left vulnerable. How can we push for policies that prioritize community resilience over bureaucracy?

As always, check out our "From the Archives" section for key articles on Eastwick’s ongoing fight for stronger protections.

Let’s dive in.

Letter #3: How Policy Shapes Our Response to Natural Disasters

In the aftermath of a disaster, one question always lingers: Could we have been better prepared? The answer is almost always yes. But preparation isn’t just about weather forecasts or emergency drills—it’s about policy.

Eastwick residents know this all too well. As one of Philadelphia’s most flood-prone communities, they have lived through the consequences of poor policy decisions that left them vulnerable to disaster. Despite years of advocacy, they still struggle with outdated flood protections, an inadequate stormwater system, and rising insurance costs. Meanwhile, policies benefiting developers and corporations continue to shape land-use decisions, often at the expense of the people who live there.

This same scenario plays out on a much larger scale in places like California, where wildfires have become a terrifying norm. While climate change plays a role, policy failures—from outdated building codes to ineffective emergency response systems—determine the scale of destruction and who is left to fend for themselves. The question isn’t just whether we can prevent disasters; it’s whether we have the political will to protect the communities most at risk.

How Policy Creates or Prevents Disaster

Disasters may be natural, but their impact is determined by human choices.

In California, wildfires have become more destructive due to a mix of environmental mismanagement and political inertia. Decades of fire suppression policies allowed dry vegetation to accumulate, turning forests into tinderboxes. At the same time, land-use policies enabled real estate developers to build homes in fire-prone areas without proper safety measures. Insurance companies, once happy to profit from these developments, are now fleeing the market, leaving homeowners without coverage.

Eastwick faces a similar crisis, but with water instead of fire. For years, residents were told that they didn’t need flood insurance—until catastrophic floods proved otherwise. When FEMA redrew flood maps, homeowners were suddenly required to purchase expensive flood insurance. Those who couldn’t afford it faced the risk of losing their homes. This shift wasn’t just about science; it was about policy decisions that failed to account for long-term environmental realities.

While Eastwick residents fight for better flood mitigation and accountability from city officials, Californians are facing an exodus of insurers unwilling to cover wildfire damage. In both cases, policy failures are forcing communities to bear the cost of decisions made by politicians, developers, and corporations.

Be the Change: Building a Resilient Future Together

Disasters don’t impact everyone equally—but together, we can push for policies that protect all communities, not just those with wealth and influence. Eastwick has a powerful history of resilience, and now is the time to take action for a safer, stronger future.

✅ Advocate for Equitable Policies – Support legislation that ensures flood protections and disaster relief are distributed fairly, not just to the highest bidders.

✅ Strengthen Our Community Voice – Join local meetings, connect with EFNC, and help shape development plans that prioritize people over profit.

✅ Demand Accountability – Call on policymakers, insurance companies, and developers to create sustainable solutions that protect all communities—whether facing floods in Eastwick or wildfires in California.

Eastwick’s fight for fair, responsible rebuilding is already making waves. With your voice and action, we can continue pushing for policies that serve our community—not just corporate interests.

Join us. Stand up. Be the change.

From the Archives

Let’s take a look back at articles from the Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition website that show how the impact community can have on shaping policy:

1. "Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition Open Letter to the School Reform Commission"
   Summary: This open letter urges the School Reform Commission to halt the sale of certain properties to allow for community engagement and consideration of environmental factors, including the flood-prone nature of the area. It highlights the need for careful planning to prevent exacerbating flood risks. Read here.

2. "In Eastwick, a Landfill's Legacy Stirs Activism"
   This article explores how past policy decisions regarding landfill placements have led to environmental challenges in Eastwick. It discusses the community's activism in response to these challenges and the push for policy reforms to better manage natural disaster responses. Read here

Thank you for reading! We’d love to hear your thoughts about our first series. Please reply directly to this email to share any feedback.

Until next time,

The EFNC team