Government Watchdog Chides FEMA for Lax Flood Enforcement
The agency fell well short of its goal of evaluating local flood control efforts every five years
Stories by Thomas Frank
Removing 1 Million Homes from Flood Zones Could Save $1 Trillion
Expanding buyout programs would be more cost-effective than other measures, such as elevating houses or flood-proofing basements
Storm Surge Maps Will Warn Coastal Residents of Potential Deadly Floods
The new National Hurricane Center maps will show the expected depth of storm surge from tropical systems
2020 on Track to Rank in the Top 5 Hottest Years on Record
The first three months of the year were the second warmest in 141 years of record keeping
FEMA Report Warned of Pandemic Vulnerability Months before COVID-19
Posted in late July, the document foresaw many current impacts, including overwhelmed hospitals and disruptions in essential services
Homes in U.S. Flood Zones Are Vastly Overvalued
Requirements to disclose flood risk could help discourage development in inundation-prone areas
Studies Sound Alarm on “Badly Out-of-Date” FEMA Flood Maps
The billions of dollars needed to update the maps would be offset by the flood damage avoided, experts say
National Security Experts Call for Eliminating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
To avoid disruptions that could lead to conflict and displacement, the world must rapidly reach net-zero emissions, a new report says
Climate Change Once Again Left Out of Trump’s Federal Budget
The administration’s proposed spending for 2021 repeats previous calls for steep cuts to environmental programs
Second Year of Major Spring Floods Forecast for U.S. Heartland
Swollen rivers could impede levee repairs, inundate homes and delay the planting of crops
U.S. Army Corps Looks to Avoid Repeat of 2019 Midwest Floods
The Corps will study how to improve the vast flood control systems along the lower reaches of the Missouri River
The 2010s Were the Hottest Decade—the 2020s Will Top Them
By the mid-2030s, global temperatures will likely top 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels
Report Detailing U.S. Threats Ignores Climate Change
The annual FEMA summary is at odds with government research showing that warming is exacerbating natural disasters
Ocean Acidification Threatens the U.S. Economy
A new federal report points to major potential losses in key fisheries and protective coral reefs
Fires and Flood Cap Off a Decade of U.S. Disasters
While California had some success at minimizing wildfires in 2019, much work remains to mitigate flooding
Court Holds Army Corps Responsible for Hurricane Harvey Flood Damage
The decision comes as the federally funded Army Corps of Engineers is under pressure to improve flood protection
Federal Government Is Failing on Climate Readiness, Watchdog Says
A new Government Accountability Office report finds little progress has been made in reducing the nation’s vulnerability to climate change
To Encourage Climate Action, Talk Up the Benefits of Adaptation
Rather than emphasizing the harm climate change will cause, promoting the economic benefits of mitigation does more to spur public action
It’s Lights Out in California to Deal with Climate Risks
An intentional blackout was aimed at keeping power equipment from sparking a wildfire
Cell Phone Service Must Be Restored Quicker after Hurricanes
Officials pressure wireless companies so first responders and residents can communicate and save lives
