Archives

Policy Update: Equity Challenges with FEMA’s New Consensus-Based Codes and Standards Policy

With passage of the 2018 Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA), the new consensus-based codes and standards policy has brought substantive change to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) grant program. Our previous blog discusses nuances of this new policy and while it offers an opportunity by allowing the communities to build back to more resiliently, it poses challenges and risk.

About the Policy

According to the consensus-based codes and standards policy, FEMA will fund PA projects to comply with the latest published editions of relevant consensus-based codes, specifications, and standards. The policy requires incorporating a holistic hazard approach to determine minimum acceptable criteria for the design, construction, and maintenance of residential structures and facilities that may be eligible for FEMA PA. Additionally, the project must be designed for the purposes of protecting the health, safety, and general welfare of a facility’s users against disasters.

This new policy amends FEMA’s previous codes and standards criteria which limited funding only to restore a damaged facility per the codes and standards locally adopted at the time of the disaster. However, per this new policy, FEMA now requires applicants to adhere to numerous published codes, specifications, and standards as listed within Appendix A of the new policy. The challenge is, these required codes, standards, and specifications may or may not be locally adopted. Moreover, applicants are now responsible for identifying, analyzing, justifying, and complying with applicable codes when restoring damaged facilities even if they have no experience building to such standards. FEMA’s previous codes and standards policy limited funding to only cover codes, specifications, and standards that were locally adopted and consistently implemented; however, now, FEMA will fund upgrades beyond what is locally adopted, provided they restore damaged facilities to be more resilient to future hazards.

Potential Implementation Challenges in Puerto Rico

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, and it was followed by a major disaster declaration. Since this incident declaration was after August 1, 2017 and before November 6, 2019, eligible applicants in Puerto Rico were eligible to request to opt-in to the interim policy and had to navigate the dilemma of deciding to do so or not. Ultimately, many communities in Puerto Rico declined the opportunity to opt-in to the new policy because the risks seemed to outweigh the rewards. Specifically, the rigor of the code analysis, availability of contractors, and FEMA’s requirement to certify that all restoration adhered to the highest resilience standards meant that failing to comply would jeopardize FEMA funding. As a result, many communities opted out, foregoing potential funding but protecting themselves pitfalls of trying to comply with a new, untested policy.

Sub-applicant’s experience on the island highlighted the risk and reward calculation of choosing to opt-in to a more rigorous policy with additional compliance requirements, administrative burden, and potential risk to PA funding. Factors that led to opt-outs in Puerto Rico are telling – and foreboding – because now, for disasters declared on or after December 20, 2019, FEMA requires recovering communities to comply with this new policy.

The FEMA guidance emphasizes that the burden of code identification and application is on each applicant and sub-applicant. Based on our experience, this will force each individual community to conduct a comprehensive code analysis, along with additional cost for architectural and/ or engineering services required to perform such an analysis. Furthermore, codes and standards are typically regularly updated, and updates are often prompted by the lessons learned during a disaster event. After the devastating hurricanes of the 2017 season impacted Puerto Rico, the building codes were updated to Puerto Rico Codes 2018 to include new wind speed and seismic category maps, and to implement more strict design requirements across the island. While it is positive that local codes were updated, it does further complicate compliance with FEMA’s new policy going forward.

While the process begins with code analysis, another risk is the availability of trained contractors and compliance certifications. Due to large variances in codes, finalizing the performance specification for a project will prove to be a challenge for communities across the nation. The guidance also specifies that when a code or specification offers discretion in design, FEMA will fund the least expensive option and it is up to the applicant to show how a more expensive alternative would provide greater hazard risk reduction. This uncertainty and lack of clarity in guidance poses further risks as a community looks at the life cycle of the project and potential pitfalls that could result in challenges with cost eligibility.

New Codes and Standards Policy and Equity

When FEMA funds more rigorous codes and standards than what is locally adopted, it makes damaged facilities more resilient to future events; however, going forward, implementation challenges will not be unique to Puerto Rico. For underserved communities, which may lack the resources or experience analyzing complex FEMA policy, this can create inequitable outcomes – something FEMA recently sought to address. While we believe that this policy can improve community resilience, it poses enormous implementation and equity issues and may result in otherwise eligible communities being unable to obtain funding or begin the grant process.

Greater technical assistance opportunities, provided by FEMA, could reduce these burdens, and result in more equitable program implementation. For example, instead of putting the onus of analyzing, identifying, implementing, complying with applicable codes on local communities, FEMA could provide technical assistance and be jointly responsible. This would support underserved communities and incentivize FEMA to support – rather than only enforce – compliance.

The Way Forward

While this new policy offers a unique opportunity to bolster community’s resilience to standards previously not funded by FEMA, it does pose significant challenges. Based on our experience, despite the need to build back more resiliently, many applicants have preferred not to opt-in; however, now applicants recovering from disasters declared on or after December 20, 2019, have no choice – they must comply. This will certainly make FEMA PA program compliance more challenging especially for communities with scarce resources and little disaster experience.

Fortunately, the work associated with code identification, implementation and compliance are eligible costs under the FEMA PA program. Therefore, while there are challenges, we believe this expansion of FEMA policy can work to achieve the stated goals of promoting resiliency and risk reduction; protecting lives and property; and supporting the efficient use of federal dollars, if recovering communities are supported by FEMA through technical assistance.

Hagerty Can Help

The disaster recovery process can be complicated, but it is eased with excellent advice and assistance. Hagerty professionals understand and know the rules, and we have years of experience advocating for and negotiating on behalf of our clients. The results of our work — the billions of dollars we have helped secure for our clients — is proof of our success and expertise in working with government programs. Contact us to discuss how we can help you meet your preparedness, response, and recovery needs.

Savita Goel serves as Hagerty’s Deputy Director of Infrastructure Resilience. Savita is an experienced engineer with more than two decades of experience in management, business administration, and recovery-related projects. She is also adept at assisting firms to assess risk. Savita’s storied engineering background gives her the ability to head teams including management and hands-on engineers, often with projects that deal in millions of dollars of federal grant management and budgeting. Savita is also experienced in assessing risks posed to large urban areas from terrorist threats.

Ari Renoni is Hagerty’s Deputy Director of Recovery and has 12 years of experience working with government and international public organizations. He has a deep familiarity with federal policy, given his experience supporting FEMA projects for clients in New York, California, Puerto Rico, Texas, and Florida.

Sage Hart is a Managing Associate in Hagerty’s Recovery Division, supporting various natural disaster recovery and COVID-19 response projects in New York, Puerto Rico, California, and other areas of the country. His experience and expertise include program management, policy analysis, finance, and data analytics. Sage holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and a Bachelor’s in finance from the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF BRIC PROJECTS

As the impacts and effects of climate change are realized, the needs to reduce hazard risks in communities across the country are rapidly multiplying.  The passage of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) in October 2018 has, and will continue to have, a transformative impact on the field of emergency management. Specifically, the DRRA has had a major impact on the Federal Emergency Management Associate (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs through the introduction of FEMA’s new pre-disaster mitigation program, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). While BRIC represents an important step forward in providing a reliable source of mitigation funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, the goal and intent of the program has exposed many underlying process and policy limits related to HMA programs.  Below we identify some mitigation challenges practitioners are facing across the country, as well as some items that FEMA may want to consider addressing as its programs continue to evolve to meet the quickly changing mitigation needs of our nation.

MISCELLANEOUS project types

As FEMA rolls out its first year of BRIC grants, state and local entities are busy developing eligible, cost-effective, feasible, and nationally competitive projects. FEMA encourages state and local entities to pursue activities that best address priorities in their community including projects that address climate change adaptation and resiliency.  At this time,  these activities are listed as miscellaneous/other in the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance (2015) and they assist communities in “adapting to new challenges posed by more powerful storms, frequent heavy precipitation, heat waves, prolonged droughts, extreme flooding, higher sea levels, and other weather events.” As our country experiences historic wildfires, an unprecedented pandemic, and a hyperactive hurricane season, the miscellaneous/other activities likely offer the best opportunity to address the evolving risks we continue to see in 2020 as well as the conditions forecasted in decades to come. As communities seek to address their mitigation needs through more innovative means than those identified in FEMA’s 2015 HMA Guidance, it has become apparent that a highly flexible, malleable project type is needed which comports with BRIC’s stated goal of finding new ways to mitigate risk to infrastructure and reducing our collective risk to all-hazards.

FEMA Eligible Activities by Program: Source

Mitigation to Migration

As the climate changes, unmitigated sea level rise, extreme weather, and drought have created a need to relocate or migrate people and assets to a new, more stable location. In some instances, communities have already sought FEMA HMA grant funding to address this need. To address these evolving conditions, projects like managed retreat, infrastructure relocation, and wildfire buyout programs may be required.

Currently, FEMA HMA Guidance includes private property buyout project options for flood and landslide hazards; however, wildfire mitigation includes projects that are limited to hazardous fuels reduction, defensible space, and ignition resistant construction, but does not include the option for private property buyout. As we have seen this year, if megafires more frequently become gigafires, there could become a need to relocate communities and infrastructure to a more sustainable and fire safe landscape within of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). This is one example of the adaptability which will be required to mitigate anticipated hazards and changing conditions which will increase our resilience and reduce our nation’s long-term risks and exposure to these changing conditions.

All-Hazards Adaptability

During the COVID-19 pandemic, States on both the East and West coasts had to grapple with the need to open emergency shelters and surge healthcare facilities due to hurricanes and wildfires. While the FEMA HMA Guidance doesn’t allow for standalone pandemic mitigation projects, FEMA acknowledges in its recent Guide to Expanding Mitigation that public health co-benefits can be identified in structural mitigation projects. Given this guidance, projects with co-benefits or ancillary benefits related to a pandemic, but outside of the project’s primary risk reduction objective, could be included in the project’s scope. As outlined in the BRIC Qualitative Scoring other ancillary benefits include: “water/air quality, habitat creation, energy efficiency, economic opportunity, reduced social vulnerability, cultural resources, and mental health”.

Flexibility for Future Conditions

A multi-hazard approach to mitigation projects also contends with the reality that current and future mitigation must address the compounding effects of climate change on natural hazards. For example, to mitigate stormwater impacts, FEMA’s Nature-Based Solutions provides guidance on watershed, neighborhood, and coastal area project types. Many of these stormwater projects including greenways, permeable pavement, green roofs, and tree canopies can also be effective at mitigating extreme heat and the urban heat island effect. While projects that mitigate heat waves are listed as an eligible miscellaneous/other activity, how to quantify the impacts of this hazard in the FEMA benefit-cost analysis (BCA) tool remains undefined.

As an example, potential benefits (avoided losses) could explore how to quantify increased costs of healthcare, increased hospitalization, and increased energy use, as many residents of California experienced earlier this year.

To translate miscellaneous/other activities into quantifiable mitigation opportunities, the FEMA BCA toolkit needs to provide a more robust way to quantify the benefits of addressing these increasing hazards and future conditions. FEMA’s sea level rise policy has been in effect since 2013 and has helped evaluate how climate change considerations can be incorporated into HMA grants. FEMA recently updated its ecosystem service benefits in BCA policy to allow these benefits to be used regardless of the project’s benefit cost ratio (BCR). FEMA made “this change in recognition that the environment is an important component of a community’s resilience strategy”. Other BCA considerations to increase the cost-effectiveness of innovative, multi-hazard projects would be the development of new pre-calculated benefits, including additional environmental, social, and recreational benefit calculations/methodologies, and updating the outdated, assumptive models to account for future conditions.

Expedited Funding Opportunities

In some instances, there is a critical need for Applicants to quickly submit sub-applications to FEMA so they may review, approve, and award projects.  An example of this are property acquisitions and quick-implementation projects in the post-fire environment necessary to mitigate the impacts of erosion and debris upon people and property downstream of impacted watersheds.  In these instances, it is critical Applicants develop the ability to quickly identify these projects, assist communities with sub-application development as well as work with their FEMA counterparts to develop a system which quickly conveys these projects through the award process.  It is also critical that eligible applicants work closely with eligible sub-applicants pre-award to ensure that should this fast track process be implemented, local communities are able to quickly procure the necessary resources to implement the project in compliance with applicable federal regulations.

Recommendations for 2020 and Beyond

As the BRIC program and our mitigation needs evolve, the next generation of Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance will undoubtedly need to adapt to meet our future needs. To successfully do so, all mitigation partners and practitioners should work closely together to address the items identified below:

  • Provide standardized implementation guidance for HMA projects across the FEMA regions to reduce the potential for conflicting approaches between regions.
  • Expand eligible activities to better reflect current and future conditions and broadly market these so they are well known and utilized as appropriate – otherwise, miscellaneous/other will become a prevalent project type.
  • Reconsider duplication of programs as large infrastructure projects may require extensive collaboration and funding from multiple Federal partners to ensure high-impact projects can be built.
  • Revisit previously ineligible activities, such as prescribed burns, which might serve a critical wildfire mitigation role.
  • Better define project-phasing best practices to provide unified guidance on the design development and level of detail needed in a BCA for phased projects. A common question is at what stage of design development does a project require phasing.
  • Expand the current list of pre-calculated benefits and consider the use of pre-calculated benefits for property acquisition in high risk WUI areas and projects that incorporate one or more of the identified nature-based solutions.
  • Expand traditional benefits in the FEMA BCA tool to streamline the valuation of ancillary benefits and future conditions (heat, drought, newly eligible activities under the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, etc.); identify best practices used by other Federal agencies to identify and quantify project benefits to include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
  • Align FEMA programmatic guidance and BCA methodologies to support the projects identified in the FEMA Mitigation Action Portfolio. Currently, the FEMA MAP includes projects that are not funded by FEMA and do not use FEMA BCA methodologies. Many of these projects would likely be ineligible or not cost-effective using FEMA’s current HMA eligibility and application development mechanisms.

With further evolution of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program, governments and communities will be granted a better opportunity to develop the next generation of BRIC competitive projects – projects that make the most of limited mitigation funding by anticipating changes in our environment and being responsive to those future conditions.

Hagerty is here to help. While the cost share for this program is 75 percent federal and 25 percent non-federal, FEMA will provide 100 percent federal funding for management costs associated with the administration of a BRIC-awarded mitigation measure or project. Therefore, our professionals can help at little-to-no additional cost.

Hagerty’s Mitigation Team are experts in navigating the pre- and post-disaster funding world. We are available to talk about your recovery needs, including how to access all funding available through federal grant programs. To learn more, contact us.

___________________________________________________________________________

Amelia Muccio is the Director of Mitigation at Hagerty Consulting and a subject matter expert in disaster recovery. With over 15 years of experience in public health, disaster preparedness, mitigation, and financial recovery, Amelia has helped clients obtain $5 billion in federal funds after major disasters, including Hurricane Sandy, the California Wildfires, and Hurricane Harvey.

Scott Baldwin is a Senior Mitigation Manager at Hagerty Consulting and a subject matter expert in natural hazard mitigation in both the pre and post disaster recovery environments.  With over 10 years of experience in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance and Public Assistance (PA) programs, Scott has worked closely with states and communities in Colorado and California to identify, develop, and implement mitigation and recovery solutions tailored to meet their needs.

Vanessa Castillo is a mitigation and planning specialist with experience in the implementation of the FEMA mitigation programs. Before joining Hagerty, she was a planner with the City of Denver where she specialized in environmental compliance. Prior to Denver, she was a Mitigation Specialist with the state of Colorado where she contributed her expertise to the successful implementation of more than $65 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for Colorado’s largest disaster.

Hurricane Laura Recovery Efforts Begin While California Wildfires Continue to Burn Across the State

Recovery efforts are still ongoing for those affected by Hurricane Laura, two weeks after the storm made its way across southwest Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services recorded 12,913 individuals being sheltered in the state across 42 hotels in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, Louisiana, according to ABC’s KTRK-TV in Houston, Texas. In Texas, the Texas Division of Emergency Management is sheltering 5,200 Louisiana residents in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. 

NBC’s and CW’s KPLC in Lake Charles, Louisiana, issued recovery updates for Calcasieu Parish, noting the Parish remains under a mandatory evacuation order. Sewer District No. 11 of Wards 3 and 8 in Mallard Junction asked customers to minimize water consumption due to the power outages caused by the hurricane. The District is currently functioning with a low-pressure sewer system and the use of excessive water could cause a sewer overflow.

ABC’s KTRK-TV in Houston, Texas reports via the local energy company Entergy that over 85,000 customers were still without power in Louisiana. The company provides power to parts of Louisiana and Texas, and to date it has restored power to 179,000 customers. It is estimated that it will take another six to eight weeks to restore power in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

While many begin recovery from the devastating impacts of Laura, residents of California continue to battle wildfires. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) stated the wildfires in California have burned 2.28 million acres to date, with 3,849 structures damaged or destroyed. There have been eight confirmed fatalities, and the SCU Lightning Complex is still the largest active incident; burning 396,624 acres with a 97 percent containment rate. The Creek Fire actively burned throughout the night in Fresno County, with zero percent contained. In Madera County, the Red Flag Weather Warning was extended through Wednesday for 8 pm PDT, with high temperatures, low humidity, and high winds expected to persist in the area. CAL FIRE posted evacuation orders for Madera County, with evacuation warnings for Fresno County and Madera County.

UnSplash: Issy Bailey

The Bear Fire (part of the North Complex fire) spread quickly as a result of Red Flag conditions and moved toward communities east of Oroville, California – forcing more evacuations. The New York Times spoke with National Weather Service meteorologist Craig Shoemaker, who said the immense volume of smoke from the fire rose over the night to 40,000 feet. He added changing wind patterns would force the smoke eastward, possibly clearing the air near the coast. However, he cautioned that as the smoke reverses, the old smoke may be pushed back ashore. 

Disasters Don’t Wait: Twitter

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages individuals to prepare and plan for disasters. It’s never too soon to prepare for an event. Individuals should follow the guidance of local authorities and remain safe. NBC’s KPRC provides information about active drop-off donation sites in Texas and Louisiana. Requested supplies include diapers, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, nonperishable food, bottled water, and pet food and supplies.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation, visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

RELATED STORIES

  • Remember, Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for Wildfire and how to keep you and your family safe.
  • The Los Angeles Times regularly updated tracking of California Wildfires: California Wildfires Map.
  • The National Fire Protection Association provides wildfire preparedness tips: link
  • Marin County provides a wildfire evacuation checklist: link
  • FEMA provides an information video about how to be prepared for Wildfires: link
  • Understanding the meaning of hurricane maps – a NY Times Opinion Piece: Those Hurricane Maps Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean

Fight Back with Preparedness

Disasters are unpredictable. Even with prior warning, we are rarely, if ever, prepared for the mental and emotional tax excised on us individually and collectively as a community. Right now, we find ourselves in the middle of a global health crisis, an economic shift felt by millions, and in the throes of battling a series of back-to-back natural disasters. Amidst these trying times, we must remember – disasters do not stop, and we cannot sit by idly, becoming victims of circumstance. The best way to fight back against the unknown is by being prepared.

Devastation strikes without discrimination and it is never clear when it will impact you and your community. It is often said that the best offense is a good defense, preparedness is just that. Financial preparation for emergencies can save you and your family tremendous heartache and stress after disaster strikes. The simple actions you take, or do not take, today can greatly affect your future and way of life. Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recorded that more than 25 million Americans were impacted by a natural disaster in 2017; and, in the past three years alone, natural disasters have accounted for nearly $500 billion in damage and losses.

While it is not possible to control the disruptions that nature can sometimes bring into our lives, we can control our response to them through financial literacy. Financial literacy is the cornerstone of preparedness; the two go together. When you understand the mechanics of money and resources – and how it can be leveraged to bring you to your desired future – you attain a sense of control and empowerment you may not have had before.

Many times, individuals can tend to focus on what they do not have as a reason for delaying emergency preparations. Rather than focusing on what you do not have, think about shifting your focus on what you do have and maximizing its output and potential. Remember, consistently taking small actions yields big results over time.

Here are a few things that you can do to be prepared for any kind of financial emergency you may find yourself in:

  • Make saving a priority. It is important to understand that federal disaster assistance will not make you whole after disaster strikes – you must make saving and proper insurance a priority.For your savings, consider creating an additional “cash-on-demand” savings account that you add to periodically that you can take with you in case you are required to evacuate in a hurry.
  • Maintain insurance. After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the average flood insurance payout to homeowners who flooded was $120,000. Conversely, homeowners who took on water and applied for FEMA for federal financial assistance through FEMA received $4,000 to 7,000 on average. Therefore, it is important to understand your risks and ensure your assets have the proper level of coverage. Review your policy options, policies, and other relevant paperwork consistently to ensure that information is up to date.
  • Have a written plan. A comprehensive financial plan serves as your road map reminding you of your desired destination and the actions required to get there.
  • Make copies of all important financial and legal documents. Many times, when disasters strike, property is severely damaged or destroyed. Unfortunately, for many, they lose access to important documents like mortgage information and birth certificates which are helpful in applying for recovery assistance.Additionally, in today’s technological environment, make sure your important documents are available digitally by storing them in the cloud, email, or mobile device.

If you need assistance in this process, Operation HOPE may be able to help. For nearly three decades, Operation HOPE has been empowering Americans through financial literacy with a standing commitment to prepare individuals and families for financial disasters, of any kind, and seeing them through to recovery. Through the HOPE Coalition America (HCA), the organization provides preparation coaching, at no cost to clients, to help them get back on their feet should they be adversely affected by disaster – be it natural or manmade. Additionally, their financial wellbeing coaches are trained to walk alongside clients in their most vulnerable times to help them regain a sense of dignity and normalcy in their lives. They can help clients build emergency financial plans, negotiate their mortgage payments, apply for eligible post-disaster FEMA assistance, speak to lenders concerning the terms and condition of their loans, and more.

Life is an adventure, plan for it and be ready for the unexpected. September is National Preparedness Month and it is the perfect time to make a commitment to ensure you and your family are financially prepared – by doing so, you are investing in your future. For more resources, visit the Ready Campaign and the Financial Literacy and Education Commission.

 

John Hope Bryant is an American entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and prominent thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and financial dignity. John is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, Inc. a provider of financial literacy, financial inclusion and economic empowerment tools and services in the United States (US) for youth and adults.

Brock Long is the Executive Chairman of Hagerty Consulting. Brock re-joined Hagerty last year after serving as the Administrator of the FEMA from June 2017 – March 2019. With Hagerty, Brock provides strategic advisory using lessons gained from his time as FEMA Administrator and in his previous work as both a consultant and public servant leading local, state, and federal emergency management programs.

Laura’s Continued Trajectory Across the US Leaves States Damaged and in Disarray

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 AS OF 10:00 AM EDT

Tropical Depression Laura is currently tracking inland from Arkansas to the Lower Ohio Valley, moving northeast at approximately 13 miles per hour (mph) with maximum sustained winds near 30 mph. Throughout Friday evening, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC) cautioned that Laura could produce rainfall between one to three inches (with isolated area receiving as much as five inches) across northeastern Arkansas, northern Mississippi, northern Alabama, western and middle Tennessee, southeastern Missouri, and western and central Kentucky. Tornados may develop on Friday afternoon into the evening across parts of the mid-South and Tennessee Valley regions, while swells caused by Laura could impact the north-central and northeast Gulf Coast with possible life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. 

Twitter: Julie Durda

The Weather Channel reported that wind gusts of 100 to 135 mph impacted southwestern Louisiana near the eye of the storm. The former Category 4 storm, Hurricane Laura, was the seventh named storm to hit the United States (US) this year and was one of the most powerful to hit the Gulf Coast in decades, with at least six fatalities directly caused by the storm, according to the Associated Press. 

Damage from downtown Lake Charles, located in southwestern Louisiana, included significant flooding, a number of buildings destroyed by the storm, and an industrial plant for chlorine-based products caught on fire and required a shelter-in-place order, according to The Washington Post. The storm knocked out power for customers in several states; with New Orleans-based Entergy Corporation reporting periodic power outages for 231,000 customers across Texas and 262,000 outages for customers in Louisiana as of 4 pm CDT on Thursday. 

Twitter: Alex Wallace

FEMA Guidance on Tornados: Source

The NWS offers advice and guidance for those about to experience, currently being impacted by, or previously affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. Individuals at-risk are encouraged to secure their home, remain up-to-date with information from the local NWS office and local government/emergency management office, and follow guidance issued by local officials. As Laura continues to move across many US states, states and communities should begin preparing for tropical storm-like weather and potential tornadoes. The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates.

RELATED STORIES

  • Remember, during a storm, it is important to follow the directions of your state and local officials. Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for a storm and how to keep you and your family safe throughout.
  • Understanding the meaning of hurricane maps – a NY Times Opinion Piece: Those Hurricane Maps Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean

Keep track of Hagerty’s coverage here:

HURRICANE SEASON 2020

Ferocious Laura Makes Landfall as a Strong Category 4 Hurricane, Bringing Devastation and Destruction

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Laura made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane near Cameron, Louisiana on Thursday, August 27 (today) at 2:00 AM EDT.  At the time of landfall, Laura had developed a clear, circular eye and strong eyewall. With intense, tightly coiled bands, Hurricane Laura brought hurricane-force winds and devastating storm surge and flooding to nearby areas. Since making landfall, Laura has rapidly downgraded and is currently a Category 2 storm with wind speeds up to 110 mph, moving north at 15 miles per hour (mph) across eastern Texas, western Louisiana and into southern Arkansas.

The NHC warns communities near and around the path of Laura could experience unsurvivable storm surge, as far as 40 miles inland from the coast. According to the NOAA Storm Surge Map, coastal communities already received approximately three feet of storm surge, with certain areas potentially experiencing more than nine feet of storm surge in total. Storm surge warnings have been issued for High Island, Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River. As Laura continues to move inland, storm surge and tornadoes are possible. Additionally, flood waters are expected to remain stagnant for many days in hurricane-impacted areas before receding. Currently over 440,000 customers are without power throughout Louisiana and Texas. 

For communities threatened by storm surge from Hurricane Laura and future storms, Hagerty’s Executive Chairman Brock Long shares lessons learned and best practices, including adhering to the guidance of local authorities.

Ahead of the storm, Federal Emergency declarations were approved for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. These declarations help the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rapidly and efficiently respond to states and individuals where aid is needed post-disaster. They authorize FEMA to provide assistance, including reimbursement for mass care, evacuation, and shelter support.

NOAA Guidance Flood Safety: Source  

Additionally, FEMA provides guidance to individuals preparing for, experiencing, or affected by hurricanes. Hurricane Laura brings potential for life-threatening storm surge to many coastal communities. Individuals should heed the warnings of local authorities and prepare for hurricane and severe weather conditions. 

Over the coming days and weeks, Hagerty will continue to provide guidance regarding effective preparedness strategies for long-term recovery, as well as continuing our situational updates.

PUBLIC ADVISORIES

Here’s the breakdown of public advisories from NOAA’s NHC:

STORM SURGE WARNING: 

  • High Island Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River

HURRICANE WARNING:

  • High Island Texas to Intracoastal City Louisiana

TROPICAL STORM WARNING:  

  • East of Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Mouth of the Mississippi River

 

RELATED STORIES

  • Remember, during a storm, it is important to follow the directions of your state and local officials. Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for a storm and how to keep you and your family safe throughout.

 

Keep track of Hagerty’s coverage here:

HURRICANE SEASON 2020

Hurricane Laura Upgraded to a Category 3 Hurricane; Life-Threatening Storm Surge Predicted

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2020 AS OF 9:00 AM EST

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Laura is moving northwest towards the gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana with max sustained winds of 110 miles per hour (mph). According to the NOAA NHC, Laura is centered just over 300 miles south-southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana and is tracking northwest at 15 mph. Laura is currently a Category 3 Hurricane and is predicted to rapidly strengthen to a Category 4 Hurricane today, Wednesday August 26 before making landfall. Laura is predicted to make landfall along southwest Louisiana and Texas’ northernmost coastline this evening or early Thursday morning. States of emergency were declared earlier this week ahead of Hurricane Marco and Laura in Louisiana and Mississippi. On Sunday, August 23, Texas Governor Greg Abbot issued Disaster Declarations for 23 Counties ahead of Marco and Laura. 

Twitter: NHC

The NOAA NHC warns that Laura is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, dangerous waves, extreme winds, and flash flooding from San Luis Pass, Texas, to the Mouth of the Mississippi River, causing potential catastrophic damage to the area. NHC reports that storm surge from Hurricane Laura could travel as much as 30 miles inland. Additionally, Storm Surge Warnings have been issued for Freeport, Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River. A Storm Surge Watch is currently in effect for; the Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs Mississippi; Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana; Lake Maurepas, Louisiana; and Lake Borgne, Louisiana. Voluntary and mandatory evacuations are taking place along the coast of Texas. Hagerty encourages its readers to follow state and local directives and prepare ahead of time for potential impacts. Laura is already responsible for nine deaths as it moved through the Caribbean earlier this week. 

Twitter: NHC 

NOAA Guidance on Storm Surge: Source

Federal Emergency declarations have also been approved for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. These declarations help the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to rapidly and efficiently respond when states and individuals need aid after a disaster. They authorize FEMA to provide assistance, including reimbursement for mass care, evacuation and shelter support.

Additionally, FEMA provides guidance to individuals preparing for, experiencing, or affected by hurricanes. Hurricane Laura brings potential for life-threatening storm surge to many coastal communities. Individuals should heed the warnings of local authorities and prepare for hurricane and severe weather conditions. 

The Ready Campaign: Source

PUBLIC ADVISORIES

Here’s the breakdown of public advisories from NOAA’s NHC:

HURRICANE WARNING: 

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: 

  • Gulf of Mexico
  • Sargent Texas to San Luis Pass
  • East of Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Mouth of the Mississippi River

STORM SURGE WARNING: 

  • Freeport, Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River
  • San Luis Pass, Texas

HURRICANE WATCH: 

  • East of Intracoastal City to west of Morgan City Louisiana

STORM SURGE WATCH: 

  • Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs Mississippi
  • Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Lake Borgne, Louisiana

RELATED STORIES

  • Remember, during a storm, it is important to follow the directions of your state and local officials. Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for a storm and how to keep you and your family safe throughout.
  • Understanding the meaning of hurricane maps – a NY Times Opinion Piece: Those Hurricane Maps Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean

Keep track of Hagerty’s coverage here:

HURRICANE SEASON 2020

 

Mitigation’s “Green New Deal”: Nature-Based Solutions

Currently, two tropical systems are eyeing the United States (U.S.) Gulf Coast for near simultaneous landfall this week. In the West, California is dealing with significant drought, extreme heat, and escalating wildfires. Each year, storms and fires continue to intensify – both in frequency and magnitude. The impacts of climate variability and disaster activity further highlight the need for nationwide investments in resilience – including a holistic, sustainable approach to hazard mitigation – to reduce continued disaster-related damages and loss.

Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions may be used in sustainable planning, design, environmental management, and engineering practices to incorporate a community’s natural features, landscape, or processes into the built environment to create a more resilient environment. The overarching goal of these projects is to provide more value to communities by mitigating hazards while also creating ecosystem benefits. This can ultimately improve a community’s quality of life and make it more attractive to new residents and businesses.

Nature-Based Solutions are categorized by both location and scale:

  • Watershed and Landscape – These typically include large-scale practices that require long-term planning and coordination, including projects with interconnected systems of natural areas and open space. Examples: land conservation, greenways, wetland restoration and protection, stormwater parks and floodplain restoration
  • Neighborhood or Site – These practices can often be built into a site, corridor, or neighborhood without requiring additional space. Examples: rain gardens, vegetated swales, green roofs, rainwater harvesting, permeable pavement, tree canopy, tree trenches, and green streets.
  • Coastal Areas – Projects that stabilize the shoreline, reduce erosion, and buffer the coast from storm impacts to support coastal resilience. Examples: coastal wetlands, oyster reefs, dunes, waterfront parks, and living shorelines

Integrated Approach to Hazard Mitigation

Planning and carrying out nature-based solutions can require an integrated approach to hazard mitigation. Since nature-based solutions provide a variety of co-benefits, a single project may be eligible for many different private, state, and federal grant programs. It is important to assess what types of nature-based projects would benefit your community, then identify available public funding opportunities, to include both federal and private investment. Additionally, pooling resources may be a cost-effective way to integrate nature-based solution practices into planned or ongoing capital improvement projects including creating or improving roads, streetscapes, stormwater management projects, parks, and parking areas. Throughout this process, cost savings may also be realized as nature-based solutions cost less than alternative investments – often lessening the necessity of standalone infrastructure projects and further reducing the expense of rebuilding and repairs after a disaster.

Nature Based Solutions in BRIC

In the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) recent Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the agency encourages communities to consider environmentally friendly, green infrastructure solutions as eligible project types. While nature-based solutions have many hazard mitigation benefits, they can also enhance resilience by helping a community meet its social, environmental, and economic goals.

In FEMA’s BRIC NOFO, the agency outlines two evaluation criteria for BRIC projects: technical criteria (all or nothing scoring) and qualitative criteria (gradient scoring scales). The technical criteria specifically promote sustainability, giving sub-applicants the potential to secure an additional 10 points when proposed projects include nature-based solutions. In addition, if a project addresses infrastructure and has an increased non-federal cost share due to private investment or other pooled state, local, or private resources, a sub-applicant may earn an additional 25 points. As written, we think the use of nature-based solutions provides applicants a competitive advantage for BRIC funding prioritization. This critical funding will provide leaders across the country with a more integrated way to mitigate against the impacts of disaster; while also encouraging communities to invest in our nation’s long-term sustainability, security, and strength.

 Hagerty is here to help. While the cost share for this program is 75 percent federal and 25 percent non-federal, FEMA will provide 100 percent federal funding for management costs associated with the administration of a BRIC-awarded mitigation measure or project. Therefore, our professionals can help at little-to-no additional cost.

Hagerty’s Mitigation Team are experts in navigating the pre- and post-disaster funding world. We are available to talk about your recovery needs, including how to access all funding available through federal grant programs. To learn more, contact us.

___________________________________________________________________________

Amelia Muccio is the Director of Mitigation at Hagerty Consulting and a subject matter expert in disaster recovery. With over 15 years of experience in public health, disaster preparedness, mitigation, and financial recovery, Amelia has helped clients obtain $5 billion in federal funds after major disasters, including Hurricane Sandy, the California Wildfires, and Hurricane Harvey.

Sara Harper is a civil engineer and certified floodplain manager with experience in the implementation of the FEMA mitigation programs. Before joining Hagerty, she was a project manager for Dewberry Engineers Inc., managing environmental and historic preservation compliance task orders for FEMA Region IX.  Prior to Dewberry, she was a water resources engineer working on complex water systems in California, Oregon and Nevada for local, state, and federal interests.

Building a Pipeline of Shovel-Ready Mitigation Projects: BRIC’s Focus on Capability and Capacity Building

Disasters cause substantial damage and disrupt socioeconomic activities in ways that we cannot fully measure. It is difficult to predict when disaster will strike your community next, but it is possible to prepare for it. To successfully enable large-scale infrastructure and mitigation projects, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, required a mechanism to create a steady pipeline of eligible, shovel-ready projects. Capability and Capacity Building (C&CB) – a new project type eligible for funding under FEMA’s BRIC program— does just that.

According to FEMA, the BRIC program seeks to fund effective and innovative projects that will reduce risk, increase resilience, and serve as a catalyst to encourage the whole community investments in mitigation. To support this goal, BRIC sets $600,000 in C&CB funding aside – per eligible applicant – to enhance mitigation expertise, knowledge, and practice at the state and local level. Eligible expenditures can include building code activities, partnerships, project scoping, mitigation planning, and planning-related activities. This funding is designed to result in a resource, strategy, or mitigation product that will ultimately reduce or eliminate risk and damage from natural hazards.

In the recent BRIC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), FEMA offers a broad definition of C&CB project eligibility. This will enable greater flexibility for states and local communities as they look to fund the development of mitigation solutions under the BRIC program as well as other federal mitigation programs, such as FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), and HMGP Post Fire. Given that BRIC is expected to be a significantly larger grant program than PDM; C&CB funding provides the necessary seed funding to jump start development of future projects and it appears FEMA is willing to provide the space for communities to appropriately identify their needs and do so.

UnSplash: Scott Graham

Additionally, when endeavoring on a new mitigation or infrastructure project, public awareness is key to highlighting the co-benefits of the project, such as environmental and economic impacts. Therefore, FEMA allows for up to 10 percent of a C&CB activity or mitigation project to be used for public awareness and education, such as: brochures, workshops, and videos.

C&CB projects will not require a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA). Generally, projects will be subject to a 75 percent federal, 25 percent state and local cost share; however, impoverished communities may be eligible for an increased federal cost share of up to 90 percent. While the $600,000 per applicant maximum award may not provide all the funding required to analyze, coordinate, design, and engineer a jurisdiction’s large infrastructure project, it is the first step in the process of building greater capacity to do so.

The BRIC application period opens on September 30, 2020 and closes on January 29, 2021; however, BRIC project applications will take a significant amount of time and resources to complete. We encourage potential applicants and sub-applicants to begin their planning efforts as soon as possible.

Hagerty is here to help. While the cost share for this program is 75 percent federal and 25 percent non-federal, FEMA will provide 100 percent federal funding for management costs associated with the administration of a BRIC-awarded mitigation measure or C&CB project. Therefore, our professionals can help at little-to-no additional cost.

Hagerty’s Mitigation Team are experts in navigating the pre- and post-disaster funding world. We are available to talk about your recovery needs, including how to access all funding available through federal grant programs. To learn more, contact us.

___________________________________________________________________________

Scott Baldwin is a Senior Mitigation Manager at Hagerty Consulting and a subject matter expert in natural hazard mitigation in both the pre and post disaster recovery environments.  With over 10 years of experience in FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance and Public Assistance (PA) programs, Scott has worked closely with states and communities in Colorado and California to identify, develop, and implement mitigation and recovery solutions tailored to meet their needs.

The Building Blocks of BRIC: Investing in Our Infrastructure

America’s infrastructure is in dire need of repair. One out of every five miles of highway pavement is in poor condition; and, one in nine bridges in the United States (U.S.) is rated structurally deficient. Moreover, the average age of the nation’s 614,387 bridges is over 50 years old. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimates that by 2025, “aging and unreliable” infrastructure will cost American businesses $7 trillion in lost  revenue. In addition, large scale disasters further exacerbate America’s aging infrastructure, especially critical infrastructure.

Critical infrastructure is defined as the assets, systems, and networks essential to societal and economic functions. In 2017, after heavy rainfall, 180,000 California residents were evacuated due to spillway damage at the Oroville Dam. The following year in California, aging PG&E hardware broke loose during heavy winds and resulted in the 2018 Camp Fire. On the East Coast, New York City is still recovering from Hurricane Sandy in which more than 8 million customers lost power and more than half a million homes were destroyed, resulting in more than $65 billion in damages.

For decades, short-term or minimal repairs have served as band aids that keep our aging bridges, tunnels, subways, and electrical grids in operation – but this is not a cost-effective long-term solution.

Tyler Nix: Source

Investing in our infrastructure and lifelines

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program creates an annual funding opportunity to make critical investments in infrastructure systems and create system-wide improvements that will help communities withstand the impacts of more frequent and severe natural disasters.  BRIC replaces the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program and refocuses mitigation efforts on strengthening core infrastructure sectors, such as water and wastewater, transportation, energy, communications, public health and several others. BRIC’s funding structure will enable high-impact investments with a focus on public infrastructure and critical services and facilities.

As outlined in FEMA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), eligible applicants states, territories and federally-recognized tribes may submit an unlimited number of mitigation project subapplications, each valued up to $50 million in federal share (75 percent of total project cost). This is a significant increase from the $10 million federal share cap under FEMA’s PDM Resilient Infrastructure program in 2019. Moreover, the BRIC NOFO creates a $600,000 state/territory and tribal set-aside for Capability- and Capacity-Building which includes project scoping activities. This set-aside alone is a crucial funding source for communities that have identified weaknesses in their infrastructure systems but require financial assistance with the technical studies, engineering, and alternatives analyses needed to support project development.

The technical criteria identified in the BRIC NOFO further solidifies the program’s prioritization of public infrastructure projects and focus on bolstering community lifelines –   systems that enable continuous operation of critical government and business functions within a community. A project that addresses infrastructure and mitigates risk to one or more community lifelines may earn up to 35 points of 100 points enumerated under the Technical Evaluation Criteria for the National Competition.

BRIC NOFO: Source

A time for action

Now is the time for communities to invest in their future. Events such as the collapse of the Interstate 35W Bridge in Minneapolis in August 2007 stand as stark reminders of the need to invest in aging public assets and the potential consequences of decades of neglect. These are the systems and lifelines that transport communities, provide potable water to families, support health networks, ensure local and global communication, and power homes, schools, and other critical services.

Eligible applicants should start planning how they will promote the BRIC program to potential subapplicants. This includes developing solicitations for project applications (i.e. a Notice of Interest or Intent), publishing fact sheets and training material, and hosting webinars to review programmatic requirements and priorities.  Interested subapplicants should review recent feasibility and planning studies to identify potential BRIC projects. Read more on identifying and screening projects on Hagerty blog on BRIC.

The BRIC program will provide communities with a funding source to proactively address deficiencies in their public infrastructure and community lifeline systems. Timely investments to rehabilitate infrastructure with an objective of creating a “resilient community” can result in an even higher return on investments. As John Roome, the World Bank’s Senior Director of Climate Change noted, investing in resilient infrastructure is not about spending more, but about spending better.

Hagerty is here to help. While the cost share for this program is 75 percent federal and 25 percent non-federal, FEMA will provide 100 percent federal funding for management costs associated with the administration of a BRIC-awarded mitigation measure or project. Therefore, our professionals can help at little-to-no additional cost.

Hagerty’s Mitigation Team are experts in navigating the pre- and post-disaster funding world. We are available to talk about your recovery needs, including how to access all funding available through federal grant programs. To learn more, contact us.

VANESSA CASTILLO is a mitigation and planning specialist with experience in the implementation of the FEMA mitigation programs. Before joining Hagerty, she was a planner with the City of Denver where she specialized in environmental compliance. Prior to Denver, she was a Mitigation Specialist with the state of Colorado where she contributed her expertise to the successful implementation of more than $65 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for Colorado’s largest disaster.