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
Regulations | Aug 31, 2016
FEMA wants to toughen flood regulation on projects using federal funds
The proposal ‘would essentially rewrite the current 100-year flood standard.’
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Aug 22, 2016
The Hills of Governors Island reach completion one year ahead of schedule
The man made hills are the latest attraction to open on the island that has been under development since 2006.
Resiliency | Aug 10, 2016
White House pushes for better finance strategies for disaster mitigation and resilience
The move highlights innovative insurance, mortgage, tax, and finance-based strategies.
Seismic Design | Jul 28, 2016
Risk of man-made earthquakes now factor in seismic hazard analysis
Significant risk increases seen in some areas of the U.S.
Resiliency | Jul 27, 2016
New York’s resilience plans not taking long-term view, critics charge
Continued waterfront development may be regretted later this century.
Resiliency | Jul 18, 2016
Impact fees on development proposed to fund Miami’s rising sea level resiliency plans
$400 million flood plan includes new valves, pumps, and raised roadways.
Resiliency | Jun 1, 2016
Federal agencies boost standards for more resilient construction
HUD, FEMA, GSA, Army Corps of Engineers make policy changes.
Green | May 31, 2016
Miami Beach requires developers to meet green standards or pay a fee
Applies to structures larger than 7,000 sf.
Resiliency | May 12, 2016
Resilience Building Coalition releases progress report
The coalition released a set of guiding principles to help the building industry adopt resilient design and policies. Since the initial signing, the coalition has added 19 new signatories.
Architects | May 11, 2016
AIA to create a resilience curriculum for architects
The program will teach resilient design and decision-making on hazard mitigation, climate adaptation and community resilience.