Biden’s Pick to Lead FEMA Signals Urgency on Pandemic and Climate Change
Deanne Criswell, an experienced emergency manager, will be the first woman to lead the agency since it was created in 1979
Stories by Thomas Frank
Rising Costs of U.S. Flood Damage Linked to Climate Change
As warming temperatures intensified precipitation over the last 30 years, floods costs have risen by $2.5 billion
Billion-Dollar Disasters Shattered U.S. Record in 2020
The 22 events that each caused at least $1 billion in damage show the increasing costs of climate change
Advisers Rebuke FEMA for Racial Disparities in Disaster Aid
A federal panel set up after Hurricane Katrina warned that aid disproportionately helps wealthier areas
LGBTQ People Are at Higher Risk in Disasters
A federal report about vulnerability focuses on historically disadvantaged people for the first time
2020 Is a Record Year for Disaster Shelters, Red Cross Says
The combination of hurricanes, wildfires, and the pandemic meant the organization provided four times as much assistance as in an average year
Riskiest Spot for Rising Seas Is 50 Miles from the Ocean
A new FEMA index considers socioeconomic factors in evaluating community disaster vulnerability
How the Senate Race Could Shape Future U.S. Climate Action
Control of the Senate is seen as a linchpin to enacting meaningful climate legislation
COVID Collides with Weather Disasters to Affect Millions Worldwide
The double threat has posed a particular challenge in developing nations like India and Bangladesh
Migrating Tornadoes Bring Heightened Danger to the Southeast
Social vulnerabilities in the region, such as the prevalence of mobile homes, highlight the need for educating residents about storm risks
Hurricane Sally’s Major Flooding Exposes Flaws in FEMA Maps
Tens of thousands of homeowners face financial losses because they were not considered to be in a flood zone and were not required to have insurance
How Record-Smashing Heat Ushered in Western Infernos
Large swaths of the Western U.S. had a record-hot August, which helped prime fuels for devastating wildfires
Disaster Program Allocates Unprecedented Funds for Climate Resilience
Communities will be able to tap into $500 million to mitigate against disasters by, for example, strengthening building codes
Shelters Stay Empty as Isaias Barrels Up the East Coast
Concerns over COVID-19 have officials urging evacuees to stay with friends and family or at hotels
Disaster Management Is Too White, Official Tells Congress
More diversity is needed to reverse long-standing inequities in disaster response policies
Coronavirus Rages on Coasts as Hurricane Fears Rise
Dramatic increases in storm-prone areas will complicate evacuation, sheltering and recovery efforts
With Sea Level Rise, High-tide Flooding Spikes Along U.S. Coasts
Fifteen communities set records for the number of days with such floods last year
More U.S. Homes Are at Risk of Repeat Flooding
The significant growth in such properties has come despite billions spent to protect them
Disaster Loans Entrench Disparities in Black Communities
Systemic inequities such as credit scores mean Black home and business owners receive fewer federal relief loans than white ones
Tougher Building Codes Would Avert Major Losses, FEMA Study Shows
In California and Florida alone, such codes have prevented $1 billion a year in structural damage
