The federal government is taking direct aim at disaster preparation and response. Although there are many opportunities to reform and improve these programs, recent actions could significantly reduce the safety of flood-prone communities. We encourage you, as local flood risk experts, to contact your elected representatives to inform them about the impacts that federal actions are having, or are likely to have, on their constituents. Here are some possible talking points:

• FEMA is experiencing staffing cuts and we are hearing reports of FEMA grants being held up or pulled back. FEMA not only responds to disasters, but also prepares for them.
• The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is federal program administered by FEMA and enforced by municipalities with technical assistance from the state. While people may be familiar with the insurance implications of the program, NFIP regulations also ensure that development is reasonably safe from flooding, which reduces future disaster costs and saves taxpayers money.
• The threats to FEMA and HUD will not only increase future damages, but will result in increased federal and state expenditures.
• The flood warnings provided by the NOAA (and by others using NOAA data) provide warning time that is needed to protect property and save lives.

Looking for data to supplement your local knowledge or experiences? Rebuild by Design at NYU has assembled public data for 2011 to 2021 in a New York Atlas of Disaster, with additional information available on the national Atlas of Accountability website.

Note that this is not a partisan issue. Disasters don't hit just Red or Blue areas. And while every one of us can point to ways in which disaster funding can be more effective, simply eliminating it is dangerous.

Your partners in promoting flood safety and reducing losses,

NYSFSMA Board of Directors