To build real resilience, we must simplify the federal system
“Since Helene struck, we have had to navigate a system that is fundamentally broken,” said a North Carolina commissioner. “Reform is clearly needed. We need less paperwork and faster relief.” Over the last decade, the federal government spent $558 billion on disaster response, nearly the same amount in today’s dollars as the federal government spent […]
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 […]
Harnessing Nature for Transportation Resilience
From heavy rains to storm surge, flooding is an increasing threat to our nation’s roads, bridges, and surface transportation networks. More than 60,000 miles of U.S. roads and bridges are located in coastal floodplains, where higher seas and stronger storms threaten these critical lifelines. Inland, heavy downpours wash out pavement and erode bridge foundations, stranding […]
Mayor Paul Shewmaker Builds Flood Resilience in Simpsonville South Carolina
How Stronger Standards, a Dedicated Fund, and Smart Partnerships Are Reducing Flood Risk in the Upstate When Mayor Paul Shewmaker took office, Simpsonville, South Carolina, had roughly 23,000 residents; today it is approaching 30,000. While that growth brings opportunity, it also brings risk. Simpsonville’s risk profile is classic for inland South Carolina: no major river, […]
North Carolina Leaders Exchange Recovery and Resilience Lessons in Cross-State Tours
In late March, the American Flood Coalition (AFC) brought together leaders from across North Carolina for a cross-state exchange, connecting eastern and western communities to share hard-won lessons from flood recovery and strengthen the relationships needed for long-term resilience. The visits recognized that while flooding looks different in each place, the challenges of recovery and […]
AFC convenes state legislators in the Netherlands to learn from one country’s approach to flood resilience
In September, the American Flood Coalition, in partnership with CSG Midwest, led a bipartisan delegation of 14 state legislators from 11 states to the Netherlands to study the country’s approach to managing water and protecting communities from flooding. Most of the Netherlands is below sea level, and the Dutch have spent centuries pioneering innovative flood-abatement […]
One year after Helene: Western North Carolina leaders highlight ongoing need for resources
The American Flood Coalition (AFC) recently brought four elected leaders from Western North Carolina to Washington, D.C., to convene with leaders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Capitol Hill to address the ongoing needs of its constituents one year after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The leaders prioritized two efforts that matter most […]
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: […]