City of Des Moines’ Post

There are two months left to apply for the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. FEMA, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Swift Current, will provide an additional $300 million for flood resiliency assistance to property owners nationwide. The program is only eligible for buildings insured through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The FMA program’s purpose is to reduce or eliminate the flood risk to NFIP-participating communities, avoid repetitive flood damage after a flood-related disaster event, and enhance NFIP-participating community flood resilience. Click here to learn more about the grant opportunity: https://zurl.co/FscE #FEMA #HazardMitigation

Hit by last month’s floods, San Diego homeowners are taking action with a class-action lawsuit against the city for neglecting stormwater system issues. This lawsuit sheds light on how urban development and overlooked infrastructure needs amplify flood risks, emphasizing the critical role of flood insurance in mitigating the impacts of these man-made and natural hazards. Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q02q2p4t0 #sandiego #floodrisk #floodinsurance

"Flood Protection for Shepparton: A Top Priority In 2022, our community faced devastating floods, isolating many properties and causing lasting impacts. As a councillor, I'll work to expedite the replacement of our aging flood stormwater infrastructure. With over 450 km of pipes and 60 pump stations nearing 50 years old, we can't afford to wait. The 2022 floods had a profound effect on individuals, families, and businesses. Many properties still haven't recovered, and insurance premiums have risen. It's time for action. The recent inquiry report (July 31, 2024) highlights the need for improved emergency support, funding, and infrastructure upgrades, including a second river crossing. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/gdDcvC42 I've experienced the fear of flooding firsthand - my family home was surrounded by water in a matter of hours (see attached photo). Let's work together to ensure our community is better protected and prepared for the future. Authorized by Rudo Makombe, 7 Pryde Court, Shepparton, Vic, 3630."

New Jersey's new flood risk disclosure law, effective March 20, 2024, mandates landlords and sellers to reveal flood history and risks to potential buyers and tenants, addressing the previous lack of obligation to disclose such information. The measure necessitates disclosures prior to contract signings and lease renewals, supported by updated property condition disclosure forms and online tools to identify flood-prone areas. With projections of 40,000 properties at risk of permanent coastal flooding by 2050, the law aims to better prepare residents for escalating flood events, exacerbated by climate change. Alongside state initiatives like property buyout programs and flood control projects, the federal government is considering substantial investments in flood mitigation, including barrier construction and building elevation efforts, highlighting the urgency of addressing flooding challenges in the region. Learn more → bit.ly/3PxTmAz. #njrealestate #titleinsurance #realestatenews

After years of fighting, Tar Creekkeeper, Rebecca Jim, has won a major victory in Oklahoma against the Grand River Dam Authority’s (GRDA) harmful operations of the Pensacola Project, including the Pensacola Dam. For several decades, toxic levels of lead and other heavy metals from mining companies have contaminated neighboring Tar Creek, which is now a Superfund Site. Intense and more frequent rainstorms, exacerbated by climate change, has caused the Pensacola Dam to flood upstream communities, including tribes, contaminating land and recontaminating properties that previously have been remediated, while exposing community members to toxic pollution from Tar Creek. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently ordered the GRDA to acquire adequate property rights from those who have been flooded by the project, and to comply with its license obligations. This means that the GRDA will have to pay for the damages it has caused to homes, businesses, and lands. This is a major victory for these local communities! To read more about the decision, see below. #advocacy, #water, #wateraction, #climatejustice, #environment, #SDG6

What we do: Explore connections between habitat and flood insurance The cost 💵of flood insurance is increasing 📈. Can habitat help? Working with The Water Institute, we are exploring how marsh restoration projects might make insurance more affordable. Scientists are looking at how restored marshes on Dauphin Island, Alabama, can reduce storm ⛈️ surge and nearby flooding. This information will then be used by partners in the insurance industry to calculate how much these benefits lower flood risk and potential insurance premiums. By connecting restoration scientists, the insurance industry, and homeowners, we hope to see positive policy changes over time. This project is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. . . . #goodfortheGulf #GulfofMexico #flood #stormprep

Talk with your town Zoning Administrator to ask for guidance on repairs that may need permitting and for help determining FEMA base flood elevations. #vtenviro #vtflooding

I am encouraged by the federal government’s approach to flood mitigation and resiliency in our communities. A few months ago, Wright Flood - Nation's Largest Flood Insurance Company President Patty Templeton-Jones posted about U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's final rules to implement the “Federal Flood Risk Management Standards” (FFRMS) to increase flood proofing requirements for federally funded new-home construction within the 100-year flood plain. This September, FEMA will begin to do the same when it comes to building up public infrastructure after a disaster. This proactive approach not only ensures safer rebuilding but also promotes economic stability and preserves natural resources in flood-prone regions. To learn more about FEMA’s latest decision, I invite you to read this commentary by National Resources Defense Council’s Joel Scata. And if you really want to dig into the ruling, FEMA’s publication in the Federal Register is also provided below. https://lnkd.in/ewZ9sDTs https://lnkd.in/e5jquZG9 #ClimateChange #wetlands #infrastructure #adaptation #WrightFlood

Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD) finalized a flood risk rule that moves us closer to a better policy on flooding and smarter decisions about federal investments. The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) rule requires the agency to account for climate impacts like sea level rise and stronger storm surge when considering whether to fund housing in flood-prone areas. The Biden administration directed all federal agencies to implement this rule in 2021, and HUD just became the first to cement it into regulations. “We applaud HUD for finalizing their FFRMS rule and leading the way for other agencies to keep development out of the floodplain. HUD’s rule will help preserve floodplains and wetlands, make our communities more resilient to flooding, and save taxpayer dollars, but we will only see the full benefit from this new standard once all federal agencies commit to investing taxpayer money responsibly, in infrastructure that will stand the test of time.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eVt-QCcu

🌊 FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK IN PALM BEACH COUNTY (MARCH 3 – 10) 🌊 🌴Grassy Waters Preserve served as the backdrop for the kickoff to Flood Awareness Week in #palmbeachcounty (PBC). I joined with fellow PBC officials at the #wetlands #ecosystem that provides the #water supply for the city of West Palm Beach to draw attention to the importance of flood protection. 🌊 🛟 💦 #Flooding is the most common of all natural disasters, and if you’ve lived in South #Florida you’re likely to have experienced it. It causes millions of dollars’ worth of property damage each year. PBC participates in the National Flood #insurance Program, meaning it sets higher standards to reduce flood risk and damage. For county residents this means you can buy flood insurance at reduced rates. With the wet season just around the corner it’s worth knowing your flood risks and deciding whether you need flood insurance. 💦. Learn more: https://shorturl.at/blqY7 #FloodInsurance #wetlands #flood #greggweiss