It’s appealing to say that disaster relief should be left to states and localities. The less appealing reality is that they aren’t up to the job.
Few homeowners are protected against flood damage. What can be done to reduce the burden of recovery on them and their communities?
When Hurricane Francine hit Louisiana last month, much of Terrebonne Parish lost power and some roads and houses flooded, but most flood-protection measures held strong.
The majority of U.S. agricultural exports rely on the Mississippi River to reach the international market.
Voters and voting offices in Western N.C. face unprecedented challenges in finding their bearings, and each other.
The state has opened a handful of gasoline distribution sites, where residents can go to get 10 gallons for free, to help the state recover from the recent Category 3 storm. But lines to get the free gas are long and supplies are limited.
Elevating buildings to avoid storm surges and flooding can increase the chance of survival for people and homes along the coast. But as hurricanes like Helene, and possibly Milton, continue to break records, building higher may not be enough.
Historic rainfall that devastated the Southeast was generated by conditions that still exist. What lessons can local governments in other parts of the country take from Helene?
More than 6,200 National Guard troops from a dozen states are responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has left millions without power and at least 121 dead.
The Legislative Emergency Board approved the funding last week. Spending on wildfires this year has reached $250 million, which is more than double the amount budgeted for the response.
Gov. Jeff Landry praised the state’s investment in coastal protection projects, such as levee infrastructure, as one reason why the Category 2 storm spared most of Louisiana from major destruction.
The bill states that Baltimore “shall be entitled to recover for economic loss” from the bridge collapse which stalled the city’s port activity, reallocated emergency services and impacted local workers. But some legal experts are skeptical.
Rainfall patterns are changing. What can local leaders do to curb the growing risks?
Designating them by law would go a long way toward addressing the many issues these critical services face. They have evolved over decades to encompass a multitude of responsibilities.
On Aug. 18 a slow-moving storm system brought remnants of Hurricane Ernesto to Connecticut and New York. Within 12 hours, the region saw two 1,000-year rainfalls just 35 miles apart. Experts say this will likely become more common.
After months of searching for a policy, the Durango, Colo., Fire Department was able to find a company that would write an affordable policy to cover the construction of its new firehouse.
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