Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) News

Conflicting Federal Policies May Cost Residents Near Dams More on Flood Insurance

Conflicting federal policies may force thousands of residents in flood-prone areas to pay more for flood insurance or be left unaware of danger posed by dams built upstream from their homes and worksites, according to an Associated Press review of …

Vermonters Urged to Report Flood Damage From Beryl to State for FEMA Determination

Vermont’s governor on Tuesday urged residents to report any damage from last week’s flooding to the state, even if they plan to do repairs themselves, so that counties can meet the threshold for individual federal assistance. The flooding from the …

Disaster-Struck Cities Fight for Aid as FEMA Funding Runs Low

A once in 200-years storm dumped 11 inches of rain over four hours on the central Massachusetts town of Leominster in September, washing away culverts, creating a sinkhole that swallowed cars at a dealership and flooding the city council chambers …

Biden Administration Raises FEMA Bar for Flood Resilience

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has finalized a rule mandating that projects built using its funds not only take into account previous and current levels of local flood risk, but for the first time consider the future risk …

Millions of Texans Live in Counties Without Hazard Mitigation Plan

LUFKIN — More than 100 Texas counties do not have a hazard mitigation plan, federal data shows, cutting off access to billions in non-emergency grants to help rebuild infrastructure after natural disasters. Of 254 counties in the state, 103 counties …

FEMA Is Ready for Hurricane and Wildfire Seasons, but Money a Concern

The head of the Homeland Security Department said Friday that the agency tasked with responding to disasters across the country is prepared as it goes into what is expected to be an intense hurricane and wildfire season but he’s concerned …

Southeast Seas Rising Faster Than Other Regions, ‘Turbocharging’ Floods, Report Finds

From the Rio Grande to the Outer Banks, sea levels are rising faster than most other parts of the world, blocking the outflow of rivers and streams and causing inland flooding that would not have been seen just a few …

FEMA: SW Florida Stripped of Flood Insurance Discounts After ‘Improper Rebuilds’

After spiking premiums, nonrenewals and complaints about unpaid claims, more than 115,000 property owners in southwest Florida are now facing a new slap in the face after 2022’s Hurricane Ian: 25% higher flood insurance rates because local officials reportedly allowed …

Massachusetts Appeals Denial of Federal Disaster Aid for Fall Flooding

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is appealing a decision of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deny the state’s request for a major disaster declaration to support cities and towns battered by severe weather and flooding in September. Healey said the …

Reforms to US Disaster Aid Expose Growing Home Insurance Gap

When disaster hits in the US, the federal government gives aid to states and counties, but also to individuals. In 2022, the Federal Emergency Management Agency delivered $3.25 billion to nearly 1.4 million households recovering from damaging floods and fires. …