Disasters sever the interconnected fabric of communities. Some communities adapt to this disruption and return to a new functional state; other communities struggle to respond to the needs of its citizens. Researchers have explored the factors separating resilient from vulnerable communities. Public policies have been, and continue to be, developed to guide individuals and communities on how to enhance resilience in the aftermath of a disaster. Despite the increasing focus on the importance of community resilience, the concept remains largely theoretical and untested by empirical studies.