Thank You: 2017 Wouldn’t Have Been the Same Without Your Advocacy

Progress has been made to reduce the costly cycle of flooding on taxpayers, curtail unsustainable development in flood-prone areas, and increase investments in natural infrastructure and preparedness. | View online

Thank You: 2017 Wouldn't Have Been the Same Without Your Advocacy.

Dear JoAnn,

This past year Americans saw unprecedented and historic flooding cause devastation across the nation, estimated to have cost taxpayers $290 billion. No doubt, we will witness more of these events in 2018. That's why more and more Americans have joined The Pew Charitable Trusts' flood-prepared communities' initiative to call on national leaders to make meaningful change to the way our country prepares for the impacts of flooding.

While there's still much work to be done, significant progress has been made to reduce the costly cycle of flooding on taxpayers, curtail unsustainable development in flood-prone areas, and increase investments in natural infrastructure and preparedness.

Thanks to you and your support here's what we've been able to accomplish together:

New federal policy to advance nature-based protections for property and habitat: The U.S Army Corps took a major step toward better protecting our coastlines, estuaries, and lakeshores.
A major down payment on mitigation: Congress funded two essential programs to reduce flood risk: the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program and flood risk mapping.
Bipartisan support for low-interest loans for preparedness: Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced an innovative bill that would provide low-interest loans to states to undertake mitigation projects.
Major flood insurance reform bill passes the U.S. House of Representatives: The 21st Century Flood Reform Act addresses the growing costs of repeatedly flooded properties, requires property sellers and leasers to disclose flood history and risk, and would allow the federal government to deny coverage to the riskiest and costliest properties.

With your sustained support, we look forward to continuing our work together in 2018 to bring about real change and relief for flood-prone communities, while reducing costs and improving preparedness.

Best,