Moody demands answers as Florida families suffer from FEMA regulatory burden

The Center Square ^ | 12/16/24 | Bethany Blankleiy

[CFW]

(The Center Square) – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is demanding that the Federal Emergency Management Agency make exceptions to a regulatory program or eliminate it in regions devastated by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Floridians who are trying to rebuild are being prevented from doing so because of regulatory requirements that could force them to leave altogether, she says.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit Florida within 13 days, striking some communities twice. Helene approached Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 4 landing on Sept. 27. Milton, a Category 3, hit on Oct. 9, tearing through east central Florida with up to 180-mile-hour winds, dumping 15 inches of rain, flooding roughly a dozen rivers, and spawning at least 19 confirmed tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. St. Petersburg was devastated by 18 inches of rain, a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall/flooding event, according to several reports. Entire communities were wiped out.

[snip]

“Florida was recently devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, leaving some Floridians with only debris in the places where homes once stood,” Moody said. “While the recovery process has begun, burdensome regulations are making it so people cannot afford to repair damage and could force them to leave the communities they love.”

In a letter to FEMA’s acting director, she wrote, “While the rebuilding process continues, a disturbing issue has come to light. Many homes affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton are participants in the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP), which is administered by FEMA. According to multiple reports, NFIP regulations are preventing many of these homes from being rebuilt or repaired. According to NFIP regulations, homes that need ‘substantial improvements’ must be rebuilt to specific flood-resistant building code standards.”

[CFW]

I'm sure some of the regulations and red tape are being used against Florida residents simply because they are now a solidly red state. We have already seen evidence of political bias happening.

FEMA needs to be disbanded and disaster funding and decisions handled by the States. There should be some formula that could be used to determine how much each state should receive based on the state's history of natural disasters, average property value, etc. The disaster accounts could be funded yearly and states could bank any unused funds to be available for the following years.

States with few natural disasters could, if they wish, donate some of their funds to other states when major weather events such as Helene occur.

Anyway, there has to be a better way than what is done now.

[jdege]

There should be no National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP).

Nobody should be building anything permanent in flood areas. Nobody would, if it weren’t for insurance. And no insurance company would think of issuing insurance in those areas if it weren’t for government guarantees.

[blackdog]

Never-ever ask the federal government of the United States for anything, regardless of your emotions. The involvement of the government will only serve the government, diminish your liberties, and allow the swarms of government agents to dig in deeper.

Choose hardship over servitude. I would rather embrace a loss than welcome that which preys on my crisis.

[MortMan]

“Flood areas” include flood plains with intervals of 100+ years. Your suggested rules take much of the United States out of contention for building.

[lastchance]

“Substantial Improvements” is not an arbitrary subjective amount of needed restoration. It is usually based on a percentage of the homes market value. If memory serves it used to be triggered at 75% but I think now it is 50%. This means should that much of the dwelling be damaged by the storm not only does the new construction have to be made to meet current building codes THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE most also be retrofitted to meet those codes. This is especially burdensome for those who own older houses since it may take more material and labor to accomplish that. It would be fairer to the property owner if that threshold was based on the assessed value (including homestead exemptions). As far as I know FEMA does not offer grants to bring structures up to code. That certainly should be an option.

It also means the property being re-assessed and a higher property tax being levied since it has now been approved. Another whammy for the owner.

I believe FEMA is really trying to get people to stop building in the flood zone by making rebuilding more of a burden than relocating. FEMA has in the past also moved building outside of the flood zone. I don’t know if they still offer this very limited option. They also will grant money to municipalities purchase property in the flood zone. FEMA pays 75% the owner 25%. The property is then used as open space.

[jdege]

Not from all building, just from building structures that will be destroyed when the flood inevitably comes.

[oldplayer]

I’ve got no problem with people building their homes on sand islets or in flood plains. Go ahead. But, just remember there is no Flood Insurance for you and no other help, either.

[Jacquerie]

Thank you for sharing your emotions.