Federal Funding Delays Leave Rural Pennsylvania Vulnerable to Flooding

Duryea, Pennsylvania, a small town situated along the Lackawanna River, faces increasing flood risks exacerbated by climate change and inadequate infrastructure. The town's levee, built in the 1970s, requires a three-foot elevation to effectively protect against rising water levels, which have intensified due to more frequent and severe storms. Laura Holbrook, director of the Luzerne County flood protection authority, highlights the urgency of these upgrades, noting that past floods have caused millions in damages. However, local authorities have struggled to secure necessary federal funding for these critical projects.

NPR

The Trump administration's cuts to disaster preparedness funding have left Duryea and similar rural communities in a precarious position. Local officials have invested significant resources into planning levee upgrades, hoping to access $11 million in federal grants. Yet, for over a year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has withheld billions of dollars essential for disaster preparedness, leaving towns like Duryea without the means to enhance their infrastructure. Andrew Rumbach, a disaster policy expert at the Urban Institute, describes the situation as leaving many communities "sitting ducks" vulnerable to natural disasters.

NPR

In response to the funding freeze, local and state officials, including Representative Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania, have pushed for legislative action to compel FEMA to resume funding. A federal court ruling last year mandated the reinstatement of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which had been popular under the previous administration. However, uncertainty remains regarding when funds will actually be disbursed, as FEMA has faced staffing shortages and administrative delays.

NPR

The current administration's approach to disaster funding has drawn criticism, particularly regarding its stance on climate-related projects. FEMA's recent communications have echoed concerns about inefficiencies and bureaucracy under the Biden administration, while simultaneously calling for cuts to the agency. This has raised questions about the eligibility of future projects, especially those addressing climate change impacts, such as flood defenses and wildfire protections.

NPR

Local residents in Duryea have expressed growing anxiety about the ongoing risk of flooding, with many attending council meetings to voice their concerns. James Brozena, a former flood protection official, emphasizes the challenges faced by small communities that often rely on volunteers for emergency management. The current funding landscape poses significant hurdles for these towns, which lack the resources and expertise to compete for federal grants against larger urban areas.

NPR

• “We are seeing increased storms and increased water volumes,” — Laura Holbrook, Director of the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority

NPR

• “We're a country full of sitting ducks, unfortunately,” — Andrew Rumbach, Disaster Policy Expert

NPR

• “They just don't have $10 million laying around.” — Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa.

NPR

• “A lot of these communities, they have some little old lady that basically is the entire office staff.” — James Brozena, Former Flood Protection Official

NPR

The future of disaster preparedness funding remains uncertain, with rural communities like Duryea continuing to grapple with the implications of federal policy changes and the pressing need for infrastructure improvements.

NPR