New FEMA rules include climate change impacts

FEMA’s new rules governing rebuilding after disasters will take into account the impacts of climate change on future flood risk.

For decades, the agency has followed a 100-year floodplain standard—an area that has a 1% chance of flooding in a given year. The new standard will factor in the impact of climate change such as rising sea level and heavier rainfalls when it funds rebuilding projects.

In coastal areas, the agency will account for increased erosion projected to worsen this century. To reduce flood risk, the agency will build farther from the water wherever possible and will raise structures on stilts and pilings.

Along rivers, FEMA will rebuild at least as high as the 500-year floodplain, and sometimes higher for essential infrastructure such as bridges and hospitals. Similar standards in Houston are credited with savings thousands of homes from flooding earlier this month during Hurricane Beryl.

New ideas in design and constructability are radically changing how metal systems are used as roofing for commercial and institutional buildings. Behind the investment in these new kinds of expressions and construction approaches is a growing interest in improved performance and reduced environmental impact. Metal roofing systems can cut cooling and heating loads significantly, according to the EPA.