Latest news with #FloodMitigationAssistance
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mitigation part of FEMA's plan for flood-prone communities
welch — Helping flooded communities reduce the chances for future devastation through new flood mitigation efforts is one of FEMA's goals, according to the federal agency's acting director. Acting FEMA Director Cameron Hamilton visited McDowell County March 21 with U.S. Senator Jim Justice, to see damage from the Feb. 15 flood firsthand and talk to county and municipal officials about what local recovery efforts need. On March 20, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said that President Donald Trump had approved his request for Public Assistance in Mercer, McDowell, Monroe and seven other Southern West Virginia counties impacted by the Feb. 15 flood. Morrisey said the Public Assistance declaration provides supplemental grants to state and local governments and certain private non-profits to cover their costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure restoration. FEMA has a competitive grant program called Flood Mitigation Assistance, according to agency officials. This program offers funding to state, territory and local governments. Since the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was signed into law, funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA chooses recipients based on the applicant's ranking of the project, eligibility, and cost-effectiveness of the project. 'There is a program specifically in the FEMA grant system,' Hamilton told an audience at the Welch Armory. 'There are various different programs we're looking to partner with the community to ensure that we rebuild and we rebuild back in a way that makes sense that could mitigate future risks.' Hamilton said he had spoken with Sheriff James 'Boomer' Muncy about possible flood mitigation remedies near the county 911 center which is next door to the sheriff's department in Welch. FEMA will be looking at other ways to reduce future flood hazards. 'What we encourage you all to do is speak with your local counterparts, speak with public officials so they can categorize and document and grab as many of those requests as possible and they'll route those up to our public assistance programs and that will be routed up to FEMA,' Hamilton said. 'We will then receive those applications and look at areas where we can ensure if there is a chance to recover and also mitigate future risks, those are certainly areas we are certainly very interested in partnering with to ensure we can address them.' William Swain of Elbert Road, part of Gary in McDowell County, recently visited the Bluefield Daily Telegraph and said that he has seen the results of flood mitigation. In 2013, a coal mining operation had cut down trees above the end of Elbert Road. 'And when it would rain, the rain would come down the back where they had cut down those trees down the mountain to the road, down another mountain onto the railroad track, over the railroad track, down the street onto a coal boom, United States Steel broken-up sidewalk,' Swain said. 'And this is at Elbert Road, 1303.' Swain said that the flood waters reached his property and was up over his ankles. Later he went to the McDowell County Commission and later the town of Gary, but was told there nothing they could do, so he decided to go to Charleston and speak with the state Department of Transportation. There he spoke with Paul Mattox, who was then the state's transportation secretary. 'I said Okay, I'm going to call Charleston. Swain said the chief engineer at that time, Jimmy Wriston, who later become transportation secretary, and a District 10 engineer looked at the problem on Elgood Road. Work on flood mitigation at Elgood Road started in September 2013 and was finished before Christmas that same year. The old U.S. Steel sidewalk which had been in place since the 1950s was removed. Swain said the Feb. 15 flood tested the changes that were made back in 2013. 'If it wasn't for Paul Mattox, this flood we had in 2025 would have washed everybody out of Elbert Road,' he said. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New analysis sounds alarm as dangerous trifecta creeps closer to US homes — and it could cost trillions in damage
A new study has revealed a harrowing reality: trillions of dollars in U.S. residential real estate are at serious risk of destruction due to a dangerous trifecta of disasters worsened by increasing global temperatures: wildfires, floods, and extreme wind. As these extreme weather events intensify, millions of homeowners could face financial and emotional turmoil — on top of the increasing difficulty of selling properties in high-risk zones. A Zillow study found that homes valued at a combined total of $17 trillion are at a major wind risk, $9.1 trillion are at risk of wildfire damage, and $7 trillion could suffer from severe flooding at the rate of the current disasters worsened by changing temperatures and weather patterns. The report highlights Los Angeles as the city with the highest total value of homes at major wildfire risk — a staggering $831 billion — while New York City faces the greatest flood threat with $593 billion worth of homes at risk. Miami follows closely behind at $580 billion. Extreme wind damage poses an even greater financial burden, with properties worth $3 trillion New York City, $1.4 trillion in Miami, and $1 trillion in Boston among some of the most vulnerable. Zillow's findings also suggest that homes in high-risk areas are less likely to sell at their original listing price — showing that buyers are increasingly factoring these dangers into their decisions. So what does this mean for the state of the country's residential real estate? For one, massive financial implications that are concerning on multiple levels. Homeowners may struggle to secure affordable insurance, as insurers typically either pull out of high-risk areas or raise rates dramatically. Meanwhile growing disasters continue to displace communities, leaving behind not just financial losses, but also deep emotional and social scars. Beyond individual homeowners, the entire U.S. housing market can feel the ripple effects, with home values declining in certain regions while economic inequality grows as lower-income communities bear the brunt of these threats. Tackling these risks starts with stronger policies and smarter planning. Cities can adopt stricter building codes, invest in flood barriers, and ensure insurance remains accessible for at-risk homeowners. Programs like FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance help fund home elevation and relocation to reduce potential losses. Do you think your house could withstand a hurricane? No way Maybe a weak one I'm not sure It definitely could Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. For homeowners, checking tools like can provide insights into a property's fire, flood, and wind exposure. Protective upgrades — such as fire-resistant roofing, storm shutters, and elevated foundations — can help safeguard homes and lower insurance costs. Community-driven solutions also play a key role. Local efforts like wildfire prevention, flood-resistance landscaping, and emergency preparedness plans can reduce damage and save lives. While the financial and emotional stakes are high, proactive steps today can protect homes, financial security, and entire communities from the growing threat of extreme weather. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
