From Crisis to Wake-Up Call: How Hurricane Milton Reinforces the Need for Infrastructure Resilience

The devastation caused by Hurricane Milton goes beyond broken bridges and waterlogged streets—it’s a profound human tragedy. Families have lost their homes, businesses are in ruins, and, most heartbreakingly, lives have been lost. In a matter of hours, communities were turned upside down. The storm didn’t just reveal weaknesses in infrastructure—it exposed how unprepared we are for the changing climate and how vulnerable we all remain.

Watching news reports of long time residents of Florida whose homes have survived multiple hurricanes, this time they were not so fortunate. Many of them returned to rumble of materials which used to be their home. They spent hours sifting through it looking for belongings to salvage. 

Milton’s relentless tornadoes, rainfall and winds have left roads impassable, neighborhoods isolated, and emergency services struggling to keep up. The stormwater systems failed in many areas, flooding homes and businesses which were not located in flood zones. 

Over a million Floridians are still without power. Bridges collapsed under the strain of surging water. On top of this is the gasoline shortage in impacted areas. These are not just technical failures—they are failures with real human costs, straining families already on the edge and cutting off essential lifelines to safety.

The Hard Reality: Deferred Maintenance and Workforce Shortages

What makes this moment even harder to bear is knowing that much of the damage may have been avoidable. Years of deferred maintenance—crumbling roads, outdated bridges, and undersized stormwater systems—left us exposed to disaster. A growing shortage of engineers and skilled craft workers in the AEC industry has slowed progress, creating bottlenecks in projects that could have mitigated this damage.

The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) infrastructure report card has warned us: roads, stormwater systems, and bridges remain vulnerable. Hurricane Milton underscores the urgency of acting now to repair and rebuild these systems before the next storm arrives. Each delay pushes us further into crisis territory. Without enough skilled professionals, the pace of necessary upgrades continues to fall behind, leaving communities at greater risk.

DEI at the Core: Why Diverse Talent is Essential for Recovery and Resilience

Rebuilding isn’t just about repairing structures—it’s about restoring lives. And to build a better future, we need new ideas, bold solutions, and innovative approaches. Diverse talent within the AEC industry—especially women, Black, Latina, and Indigenous professionals—offers precisely that. These underrepresented groups bring perspectives essential for designing infrastructure that is resilient and reflective of all communities.

We cannot afford to rebuild yesterday's world. The inclusion of diverse voices will ensure that our infrastructure can withstand future storms and address the needs of communities most affected by disasters like Hurricane Milton. Closing the talent gap in the AEC industry isn’t just smart—it’s necessary for recovery and long-term resilience.

As communities grieve and begin to rebuild, let this moment be more than a wake-up call. Let it be a commitment to action, driven by the recognition that climate change is here, and the storms are only becoming stronger. We must prepare together—ensuring that our infrastructure and workforce reflect the best of what we can achieve when everyone has a seat at the table.

If your organization is looking to create a sustainable talent strategy, schedule a call with Michele Heyward at PositiveHire

Why Roads Matter: A Path Forward Amid AEC’s Labor Shortage

During Hurricane Helene, weaknesses within the U.S. infrastructure have been shown especially in Asheville, North Carolina. But Asheville only depicts part of our problems.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), U.S. infrastructure, particularly roads, is in dire condition, earning a D grade in its latest report. Our lack of regular maintenance has resulted in rougher surfaces, causing accidents, vehicle damage, and disruptions in transportation. 

We have degraded roads which also slow down economic activity. This means transportation inefficiencies which ripple throughout our supply chains and daily commuting routines. The increase in return to office (RTO) isn’t helping us with it either.

Reduced Planning & Innovation

The limited availability of talent has slowed our ability to efficiently and effectively update and maintain our infrastructure. The skilled workers shortage affects not only construction but also the capacity to plan and design sustainable infrastructure. Innovations like roads integrated with renewable energy technologies or autonomous vehicle support are delayed, hampering future transportation readiness.

Why? The shortage of engineers. With more and more baby boomers retiring, it’s imperative we focus on how to move forward. 

This shortage impedes the industry’s ability to keep pace with emerging trends and environmental goals, further complicating infrastructure renewal efforts.

Given the ASCE’s projection of a $5.6 trillion investment gap by 2039, it is crucial to address these labor shortages and foster innovation to avoid worsening infrastructure conditions and economic fallout.

For a deeper look into the ASCE’s findings and infrastructure challenges, you can explore the full report

ASCE Economic Report -

ps://bridgingthegap.infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-Bridging-the-Gap-Economic-Study.pdf).

Why DEI Matters Now

The talent shortage isn't just a numbers problem—it’s a diversity problem. Addressing the engineering gap means tapping into underrepresented groups, including women, Black, Latina, and Indigenous professionals. Diversity in the workforce brings fresh ideas and innovation, which are crucial to solving the unprecedented infrastructure challenges we face today.

Fostering a more inclusive and equitable AEC industry is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Bringing in diverse talent will help close the skills gap and ensure that we build a future that is sustainable, resilient, and reflective of all communities.

Take Action: Diversity Recruitment & Retention Toolkit

Workplace diversity leads to positive outcomes, improving innovation and retention. Want to improve your organization’s recruiting efforts and achieve DEI goals?

Download our Diversity Recruitment & Retention Toolkit to access actionable strategies for building an inclusive workforce ready to tackle today’s infrastructure challenges.

Together, we can ensure that our future roads—literal and figurative—lead toward equity, sustainability, and prosperity for everyone.