mitigation projects defunded by fema

The following is the result of earlier actions taken to stop funding disaster mitigation. See this CBS story, FEMA pulls $150 million from South Florida flood projects, sparking community outcry

The stock FEMA Headquarters reply, “FEMA's decision to terminate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and revoke all pending grant applications from fiscal years 2020 to 2023 has halted flood control upgrades in several communities.

The agency called the move an effort to reduce waste and realign with executive priorities. "The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program," a FEMA spokesperson said in an April statement.

"It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Under (United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi) Noem's leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need."  Remember recent statements that states were going to have to pick up more of the funding for disasters.

This is very similar to the language used by the new George Bush Administration when it canceled Project Impact, a FEMA effort to promote disaster mitigation. Back then the Director called it “…only a marketing effort.”

In recent weeks we have seen flooding that has killed dozens of people. Climate change with higher temperatures and humidity is causing more flash flooding. Even 4” of rain in 45 minutes was enough to kill people driving in their cars.

Call it wasteful if you like, but these BRIC Projects would have saved lives in the future.

All of the above can make my blood boil!