WASHINGTON, D.C. — The start of the 2019 hurricane season should spur Congress to invest in resilience and natural solutions, act on climate change, and help rebuild communities still reeling from past seasons’ disasters. With the hurricane season set to start June 1, National Wildlife Federation urged Congress and the White House to get back to work on behalf of disaster victims and communities most at risk for hurricanes, severe storms, flooding and other disasters.

“The devastating impacts of climate-fueled hurricanes are indisputable; our leaders’ will to act in the face of these cascading disasters is tragically less certain. While individual members object to disaster aid, communities that suffered from the past two hurricane seasons — along with recent floods, wildfires and other severe weather — are revictimized. We have to do better,” said Jessie Ritter, director of water resources and coastal policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “The start of the 2019 hurricane season should rally Congress to act on climate change, invest in resilience, and reform disaster policies like the National Flood Insurance Program to better protect both habitat and communities at risk.”