The Trump administration has halted new allocations from the multibillion-dollar Hazard Mitigation and Grant Program, crucial for state-level disaster preparedness since 1989. This program, overseen by FEMA, helps protect structures from floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. It has funded significant projects in various states, including the demolition of vulnerable homes and fortification of medical facilities. Critics argue these changes undermine resilience efforts, which have proven essential to avert future disasters, escalating damages and safeguarding communities, as highlighted by policy experts.
The Hazard Mitigation and Grant Program has been used to elevate or demolish flood-prone homes, install tornado-safe rooms and strengthen buildings in hurricane or earthquake zones.
It's an extremely important program for hazard mitigation, said Anna Weber, senior policy analyst for climate adaptation at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
More than $11 billion has been used to fortify medical facilities, power plants, roads and bridges so they will continue to operate during disasters.
Instead of just rebuilding, we're building resilience so we're preventing future damages, deaths and injuries.
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