FEMA recently unveiled the initial designation of 483 census tracts that will be eligible for increased federal support to boost resilience to natural hazards and extreme weather.
The action was the result of bipartisan legislation, the Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act of 2022. The law aims to help localities most at risk from the impacts of climate change to build resilience to natural hazards.
The legislation provides federal agencies with additional funds for projects in designated zones. The zone designations can also help the private sector, nonprofits, philanthropies, and other non-federal partners target investments in community resilience, according to a FEMA news release.
The designations cover all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and can be explored on an interactive map on FEMA’s website. The designations take into account socioeconomic status, household characteristics, house type, and transportation themes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index.
More zone designations will be released over the next 12 to 18 months based on updates to the National Risk Index, lessons learned from the first designations, and stakeholder input. Planned updates to the National Risk Index include additional data on tsunami and riverine flood risk.
Related Stories
Resiliency | Oct 13, 2017
Resiliency takes center stage in new projects around the country
Projects like these, where resilience is central to their design and construction, are becoming more commonplace.
Resiliency | Sep 27, 2017
The East Side Coastal Resiliency Project will span 2.5 miles of Lower Manhattan
The project will safeguard the Lower East Side against severe weather and rising sea levels.
Codes and Standards | Sep 11, 2017
Natural solutions would be most effective flood resilience policies for Houston
New green infrastructure should be part of rebuild.
Mixed-Use | Aug 30, 2017
A 50-acre waterfront redevelopment gets under way in Tampa
Nine architects, three interior designers, and nine contractors are involved in this $3 billion project.
Resiliency | Jun 7, 2017
New disaster-resilient infrastructure building and upgrades hope to keep Haven Plaza up and running
The affordable housing complex was hit hard during Hurricane Sandy, leaving residents without electricity or water.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Florida preparing to adjust to new building elevation requirements
New floodplain maps and state code changes loom.
Codes and Standards | Apr 5, 2017
Updated AIA Disaster Assistance Handbook released with significant enhancements
Updates provide guidance on how design and construction pros and emergency managers can work together to prepare for and respond to disasters.
Codes and Standards | Jan 31, 2017
Planning for world’s first floating city underway
New approach to resiliency examined in French Polynesia.
Sustainability | Jan 24, 2017
From an industrial park to an eco-neighborhood in Brussels, Belgium
At the heart of Vincent Callebaut Architectures’ eco-neighborhood will be three 100-meter-tall Vertical Forests.
Resiliency | Nov 3, 2016
Future-proofing urban waterfronts
CallisonRTKL’s Nathan Cherry discusses hurricanes, the San Francisco waterfront, and how we can future-proof our urban waterfronts.