Washington, D.C. — President Barack Obama signed an executive order today to establish a new Federal Flood Risk Management Standard designed to reduce the risk and cost of future flood disasters. The executive order requires all federal investments in and affecting floodplains to meet the new standard. Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Cathleen Kelly issued the following statement on the executive order:
The new flood risk standard is a significant step toward building 21st century infrastructure for 21st century communities. The effects of climate change are already being felt across the country in more frequent and severe storms, floods, and sea-level rise. These effects can damage homes and shut down infrastructure that people rely on daily. The new standard will ensure that federal agencies are investing in resilient drinking and wastewater facilities, roads, bridges, public transit, affordable housing, and power generation, among other projects. These investments in resilient infrastructure and communities—which were championed by CAP—will reduce flood damage and disaster rebuilding costs, as well as improve public health and safety, making us more prepared to withstand the inevitable effects of a changing climate.
