How can California prepare for an aging population likely to face more frequent and increasingly intense natural disasters?

The disproportionate impact of disasters on older adults and individuals with disabilities is well documented. Beyond their significantly higher fatality rate, survivors often face major challenges rebuilding their lives.

CCoA’s report provides a comprehensive review of emergency response through long-term recovery, presenting eleven recommendations to strengthen recovery efforts and enhance resilience among older Californians affected by natural disasters. The recommendations address three areas: state administrative actions, local administrative actions, and statutory or budgetary changes under the purview of the Legislature.

Developed from testimony gathered at the Recovering Together informational hearing CCoA convened on May 22, 2025, at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles, and supported by additional research, the report analyzes the challenges facing older adults and people with disabilities affected by the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.

CCoA remains committed to amplifying the voices heard at the May 22 hearing and advancing these vital recommendations.