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—in the ballpark of what it spent on its share to build the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
4 takeaways from the 2021 hurricane season
This year’s Atlantic hurricane season has come and gone, but its impacts will last for years. The season affected communities from the Gulf to the East coasts and everywhere in between.