A Presidential Disaster Declaration unlocks a suite of federal programs that assist local governments with disaster recovery. This is a good filter for communities included in recent Disaster Declarations related to flooding.

The program has a strong focus on providing assistance to promote a healthy ecosystem as a critical defense against flooding impacts. Eligible activities may include floodplain restoration, environmental stewardship, projects that use natural features to mitigate erosion, and living shorelines.

The program encourages or requires collaboration between government entities and stakeholders, including the private sector, to fund, develop, or implement projects.

The program accepts applications on an ongoing basis with no fixed deadline.

The gathering of data and information regarding the extent and impacts of flooding. Eligible activities may include data acquisition, risk assessment, and environmental analysis.

Covers pre-construction activities, such as defining project scope, developing technical designs, and securing funding to prepare for implementation.

Involves carrying out flood resilience projects, including building infrastructure and deploying solutions to reduce flood risks.

A monetary award that does not need to be repaid. Many federal grants are reimbursable, meaning recipients must cover project costs upfront and then request reimbursement from the government.

A government-issued loan that must be repaid. These loans typically provide funding upfront, helping communities cover project costs before repayment begins.

Assistance from the government in the form of services — such as project planning, engineering and design support, data analysis, training, capacity building, or collaboration through a cooperative agreement — instead of direct funding.

Programs that set aside funding, offer loan forgiveness, or adjust cost share requirements for communities with smaller populations.

Programs that offer reduced requirements for smaller projects, such as waived cost-sharing or exemptions from benefit-cost analysis.

Programs that support projects that take a watershed management approach or address flooding at a regional scale, requiring coordination beyond a single town or community.

Programs that dedicate resources or adjust cost share requirements specifically for tribal governments or organizations.