Historic flooding after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 devastated rural eastern North Carolina. Three towns struggling after decades of economic decline – including the nation’s first town chartered by formerly enslaved African Americans – were particularly hard hit. The challenges before Princeville, Seven Springs, and Fair Bluff included devising ways to become more resilient to future floods. But before plans could be acted upon Hurricane Florence struck, again flooding two of the communities. That changed everything. Natural disasters are the greatest national security risk facing the United States, says Professor Gavin Smith, who has devoted his career to natural disaster recovery and resilience. In this era of climate change – as hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes become more intense – communities must become more resilient to survive. Rural communities nationwide are losing population and falling more behind economically. A significant natural disaster can be a deathblow. The lessons learned by Princeville, Seven Springs, and Fair Bluff as they struggle to come back can benefit any community, anywhere. Regardless of the type of natural disaster, recovery is a slow, painful, and often lonely process. But as Fair Bluff town council member Clarice Faison says, disasters and tough times don’t last. Strong people and strong communities do.