Congress has a critical opportunity now to reform the National Flood Insurance Program. Here are some of the lessons we can learn from recent hurricanes and other flood events that underscore the need. Read more >
High waters surround homes and businesses in the small town of Bucksport, S.C. as rivers continue to rise and flooded areas expand as a result of Hurricane Florence, Sept. 24, 2018. Photo: US Army National Guard/Staff Sgt. Jorge Intriago
Hurricane Florence Lessons Underscore Need for the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019
Shana Udvardy, Climate Resilience Analyst
June 13, 2019 11:09 AM EDT
Congress Must Extend and Reform the National Flood Insurance Program
Rachel Cleetus, Policy Director and Lead Economist, Climate & Energy
July 11, 2018 4:44 PM EDT
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is up for re-authorization by the end of July. As flood risks grow around the nation, it’s time for Congress to reform and update this vital 50-year old program to better protect people and property. Without appropriate action, a warming climate coupled with rapid development in floodplains will raise the human and economic toll of flood disasters while taxpayer dollars are squandered on risky, business-as-usual investments. Read more >
Photo: New Jersey National Guard
The National Flood Insurance Program is up for Reauthorization: Here’s What Congress Should Do
Rachel Cleetus, Policy Director and Lead Economist, Climate & Energy
July 19, 2017 12:33 PM EDT
The National Flood Insurance Program is up for reauthorization by the end of September and the clock is ticking for legislation to extend the program. With so many homeowners and small businesses depending on this vital program, will Congress take the necessary steps to reform and strengthen the program—especially in light of the growing risks of coastal and inland flooding?
Here’s a quick rundown of the latest bills and what they might mean for the future of the program. Read more >
Federal funding should help ensure that communities are better prepared before disaster strikes, instead of just picking up the pieces afterwards. Photo: chere/Shutterstock
4 Ways President Trump’s Budget Takes Aim at FEMA and Disaster Preparedness
Rachel Cleetus, Policy Director and Lead Economist, Climate & Energy
May 25, 2017 4:34 PM EDT
The damaging cuts included in President’s Trump proposed budget make clear that the administration is willing to put Americans at risk by shortchanging investments in disaster preparedness. Read more >
Grimm-Cassidy Bill Seeks to Gut Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reforms
, Rachel Cleetus, Policy Director and Lead Economist, Climate & Energy
February 25, 2014 6:01 PM EDT
In an extraordinary turnabout, House members seem set to abandon bedrock principles of fiscal conservatism by voting on a bill to undermine the Biggert-Waters flood insurance reforms. Those reforms would have put the highly-indebted National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in a more solvent position, benefiting taxpayers who have been footing the growing bill for costs of flooding. They would have also helped shine a light on the growing risks and costs of development along parts of our coasts threatened by sea level rise, storm surge, and flooding. Read more >
