Five years after ‘Always Ready,’ Largo is turning policy into protection
“State programs such as Resilient Florida, the Division of Emergency Management’s Local Mitigation Strategy, and, most recently, the State Revolving Fund forgivable loan have created a framework for identifying vulnerabilities, prioritizing projects, and, most importantly, providing state and federal funding to help local governments implement solutions,” writes Mayor Woody Brown of Largo, Florida. In this […]
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 […]
The Carolinas and Florida advance flood resilience during sessions
The Carolinas and Florida continue to take proactive steps to tackle growing flood risks and strengthen resilience. The three states recently passed significant measures aimed at strengthening their flood resilience and recovery efforts, efforts led by state partners and the American Flood Coalition Action (AFCA), the advocacy arm of the American Flood Coalition. North Carolina: […]
How to fix our broken disaster recovery system
“We can seize a once-in-a-generation window to overhaul our broken, business-as-usual approach to disasters. As more Americans are impacted by these tragedies, we know it’s possible to make the system leaner, more efficient and accountable.,” write Melissa Roberts, executive director of the American Flood Coalition, and Chris Sprowls, former speaker of the Florida House of […]
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, […]
Hurricane Helene: Resources for Response & Recovery
As communities across the Southeast deal with the impacts of Hurricane Helene, our thoughts are with those responding and recovering from the storm. To support leaders during the aftermath of Helene, the American Flood Coalition compiled these resources. FEMA Public Assistance FEMA’s Public Assistance program can help communities shoulder the burden of recovery from the impacts of […]