Additional Funding for FEMA Will Support Communities By Building Disaster Resilience

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Preparing communities and cities for extreme weather events is crucial as the impacts of the climate crisis continue to grow and worsen. Today, the Biden Administration is announcing that it will make available $1 billion in 2021 to FEMA’s Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities program, which supports communities, states, and Tribal governments in undertaking pre-disaster planning and hazard mitigation projects. 

“With the forecast for another extremely active hurricane season and extreme drought conditions across much of the American West, today’s announcement of a doubling of the resources available for 2021 pre-disaster mitigation grants at FEMA is welcome news,” said Jessie Ritter, director of water resources and coastal policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “This decision should set a new floor for funding in future years as pre-disaster mitigation is not only needed now, but is also the most cost-effective way to protect lives and property long-term. Ultimately, we hope that Congress will further build on these critical investments through additional funding for restoration and resilience programs as part of any infrastructure package and FY 22 appropriations.”

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of last week’s executive order officially reinstating standards for future federally-funded construction in floodplains. The Biden Administration is also working across agencies and programs to strengthen climate science and ensure over 36 federal agencies are undertaking climate adaptation and resilience planning.

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