Executive Summary Floods are the most common and most expensive natural hazard in the United States. Federal action is required to address coastal flood hazards, yet the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) remains an inadequate tool to protect Americans against future floods. Because the federal government struggles to accurately determine risk and protect vulnerable homeowners, this report proposes the following three recommendations.
1.
Congress should authorize a federal interagency program to coordinate the federal government’s approach to coastal flood hazards reduction by improving understanding and communication of flood risk, consolidating the best available information, and anticipating the needs of coastal communities. −− The proposed National Flood Hazards Reduction Program (NFHRP) would be modeled loosely on successful interagency groups such as the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP). −− National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would lead NFHRP, which would consist of nine federal agencies and input from academia and the private sector.
2.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should improve and expand property buyouts to relocate the most vulnerable homeowners. −− FEMA should take steps to speed up the post-disaster buyout process, as homeowners left waiting for uncertain buyouts are likely to rebuild their homes within the floodplain, leaving them vulnerable to future flooding events. −− FEMA should streamline its multiple buyout grants into a single program with increased funding and resources, targeting vulnerable property owners and Repetitive Loss Properties (RLPs).
3.
NFHRP data and information should be used to facilitate improved buyout programming and land use planning at the state and local level.
4.
Vulnerable coastal regions continue to require large-scale, technical mitigation projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). To improve and expand these projects, this report recommends the following. −− USACE should address the equity concerns raised by the current Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA). −− USACE should ensure that projects are informed by the latest climate change science.
