Natural Disasters
FEMA is being sued for making flood insurance too expensive—and too cheap
The price isn't right, according to two lawsuits against the federal agency. The suits, one of which was brought by Louisiana and Republican state AGs, claim that high insurance rates could put residents at risk of economic ruin, but low rates do little to stop developments on at-risk land.
Biden administration warns of risks to air and rail safety if government shuts down
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also said that a shutdown and proposed GOP cuts could affect efforts to fight the fentanyl epidemic, as well as disaster relief operations.
Crunch time in Congress could hit state and local programs
The legislative logjam on Capitol Hill is backing up everything from child care to disaster funding. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
How data models may shape the future of wildfire response
Data models that integrate wildfire spread and vehicle and pedestrian evacuation routes can help responder agencies get residents to safety before an incoming wildfire becomes too much to manage.
How to get federal disaster aid: FEMA is running out of money, but these strategies can help survivors of Hurricane Idalia and the Maui fires get aid faster
COMMENTARY | After a natural disaster strikes a community, determining and documenting the extent of damage to homes and property is a crucial step in receiving financial aid to recover.
Treasury expands the uses of ARPA funding
Under interim rules, the federal agency would allow state and local governments to spend coronavirus relief money on natural disasters, additional transportation projects and housing, among other uses.
Early detection helps states control invasive species before it’s too late
By leveraging innovative detection and monitoring tools, state and local land managers can get ahead of the environmental and fiscal consequences of the aggressive spread of non-native plants.
Regional partnerships can bring a refreshing solution to aging water infrastructure
When legacy water systems lack adequate data collection and monitoring capabilities, communities face an uphill battle delivering clean, safe water to residents.
Flood management gets a boost from drones
As major flooding events are expected to become more common, drones could help communities keep resilience up and damage down.
Outdated flood data could drown out actual infrastructure needs
Historical data fails to capture current flooding conditions, which could steer communities in the wrong direction when trying to plan and recover from weather events.
When homes flood, who retreats and to where?
COMMENTARY | Two disaster response experts mapped thousands of FEMA buyouts and found distance and race play a role.
Preparing for a Future of Supercharged Storms
COMMENTARY | Thanks to the infrastructure law, community-driven resilience projects in Black and Brown neighborhoods that have been hit hard by past storms are finally being funded. It is essential that government leaders continue to prioritize these frontline areas.
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