December 16, 2021
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With the COVID-19 pandemic and another active hurricane season, 2021 was again a year of challenges. Still, we have more reasons for hope than ever. This year marked historic federal and state investments in flood resilience, combined with continued progress on local flood-reduction projects.
The American Flood Coalition is incredibly grateful for local leaders’ efforts in leading on adapting to flooding and sea level rise around the country. Despite another challenging year, the Coalition advanced resilience in the face of more frequent flooding, stronger storms, and higher seas.
Infrastructure law marks historic investment in flood resilience
The passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act marked the country’s largest-ever investment in flood resilience. AFC worked with congressional offices on 12 priorities to protect communities from flooding, with roughly $34.7 billion of those priorities making it into the final bipartisan package. With tens of billions of dollars dedicated to resilience, the law will help build a stronger, more prepared America.
Statewide wins in Florida and North Carolina
In Florida, AFC and its members voiced the need for comprehensive flood solutions. After AFC engaged with lawmakers and delivered policy recommendations to adapt to flooding and sea level rise, the state government passed the landmark Always Ready law and invested $1.2 billion in resilience. The investment will take bold and systematic action to understand increasing risk in our communities.
In North Carolina, AFC worked with members and the Eastern North Carolina Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Alliance to understand needs, elevate local voices and priorities, and advance solutions. These efforts culminated in a historic $800 million investment in flood resilience in the state’s budget, including funds for a Statewide Flood Resiliency Blueprint, new and existing grant programs, and technical resources.
Helping communities navigate flood insurance changes
The National Flood Insurance Program underwent big changes this year. New methodology, called Risk Rating 2.0, ensures that flood insurance rates reflect an individual property’s risk. AFC helped communities navigate these changes, educating the public on the many benefits of Risk Rating — including reduced premiums for roughly a million policyholders — as well as hosting briefings with members of Congress and their staff on changes.
Engaging with partners across the country
AFC is proud to partner with local innovators and help them scale and share flood resilience projects, including through efforts to measure multi-cropping benefits in Iowa, build a more resilient public park in North Carolina, employ innovative land-use strategies and redesign public spaces in Virginia, and incorporate equity into flood resilience projects in Texas.
Continuing community-driven work
Convening partners to advance state resilience
In May 2021, AFC launched the State Resilience Partnership, a partnership of 19 organizations that support state flood resilience and promote best practices.
Building flood resilience for communities of all sizes
AFC partnered with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Arcadis to create the Adaptation for All guide, which helps local leaders find the right approaches to flooding or sea level rise in their communities.
Ensuring the equitable distribution of resources
AFC, the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management, and community partners produced the report Conversations with Communities: Considerations for Equitable Flooding and Disaster Recovery Policy, offering ways policymakers can improve social equity in disaster preparedness and recovery.
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AFC is thankful for all those that have supported the Coalition’s work and elevated the importance of addressing flooding. We look forward to driving adaptation to the reality of higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding in 2022 and beyond.
To set up a call with a member of our staff, just send us an email at info@floodcoalition.org. Meanwhile, learn more about joining the Coalition.
