Embracing flood-smart agriculture to reduce flood risk throughout a watershed
Farms and agricultural land cover hundreds of millions of acres across the United States, making them one of the most powerful levers for managing flooding. When farmers adopt practices that slow runoff, increase soil infiltration, and store water, they protect their own fields while serving as critical flood infrastructure for entire watersheds. But right now, […]
More than 60 local leaders gather in Washington, D.C. to prove resilience starts local
As storms grow stronger and floods become more frequent, the impacts are hitting communities faster than many can respond. Local elected leaders are often the first to face these challenges, and the first to demand action. In May, the American Flood Coalition (AFC) was proud to welcome local elected leaders from across the country to […]
From the Field to the City: How Farming Practices Upstream Can Protect Communities Downstream
What does a field of relay intercropped rye and soybeans near Coggon, Iowa, have to do with a neighborhood in Cedar Rapids? As it turns out, a lot. AFC co-hosted a relay intercropping field day near Coggon alongside Iowa Learning Farms and Northeast Iowa RC&D to answer that very question. Relay intercropping is a type […]
Six months after Hurricane Helene, Western NC leaders gather in DC elevate need for recovery and resilience resources
The American Flood Coalition (AFC) brought more than a dozen Western North Carolina local leaders to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior leaders from the White House, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Capitol Hill to elevate the region’s ongoing recovery and long-term resilience needs. The trip marked the six-month anniversary since Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic […]
AFC convenes Western NC leaders to launch recovery and resilience partnership
Staff from the American Flood Coalition were on the ground this month in Western North Carolina, supporting communities in their recovery from Hurricane Helene. While there, AFC convened nearly two dozen local leaders to formally launch the WNC Recovery & Resilience Partnership. The Partnership is a regionally led effort to secure financial support, resources, and […]
Western North Carolina leaders launch partnership on flood recovery and resilience
ASHEVILLE, NC — January 31, 2025 — In conjunction with the American Flood Coalition (AFC), local leaders today launched the WNC Recovery & Resilience Partnership. The partnership is a community-led effort to secure financial support, resources, and policy improvements that aid in recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and better prepare the […]
AFC cohort aims to simplify federal funding process
Note: In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, catastrophic damage, and loss of life across the Carolinas and in two Cohort communities, Pickens County and Canton. AFC is working closely with these communities and across Western North Carolina as they respond to and recover from the storm to support the impacted communities and […]
Where to apply for post-disaster assistance
After a disaster, communities and individuals can be overwhelmed by the amount of information available for recovery. As people worry about immediate needs like food, water, and power, they must also navigate a complex web of federal, state, local, and private resources, most of which involve applications and paperwork. This page is for local leaders […]
Everything you need to know about flood insurance
In the wake of hurricanes and storms, many households face long and costly recoveries. That’s partially because few of those affected by storms are insured against flooding: For example, when Hurricane Helene hit Buncombe County, which comprises Asheville, less than 1% of homes and businesses had flood insurance. While flooding is widespread and destructive — in the […]
Hurricane Milton: Resources for Response & Recovery
As communities in Florida deal with the impacts of Hurricane Milton, our thoughts are with those responding and recovering from the storm. To support leaders during the aftermath of Milton, the American Flood Coalition compiled these resources. Florida assistance details Florida has received a federal disaster declaration for Milton. NOTE: The following information is current as of October 15, […]