ICYMI -- Biden-Harris Administration Highlights Climate Resilience Efforts, Touts Local Investments to Protect Against Tomorrow’s Hazards

Building Resilient Infrastructure in Communities Program Awarded to Tulsa; Direct Technical Assistance Used in Maryland to Advance Application

WASHINGTON -- This week, FEMA senior officials joined local leaders to celebrate non-financial climate planning provided to Crisfield, Maryland, and a resilience grant to Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a result of FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program. During the events, officials highlighted ways communities can take advantage of the agency’s Direct Technical Assistance program that offers free help in the application process and how FEMA grants can help them become more resilient to severe weather events and future hazards. 

Both events align with FEMA’s Year of Resilience commitment to build local capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards. 

“Storm surges, flooding, extreme heat and cold, and other climate change-driven weather challenges are impacting more communities more often than ever before,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The Biden-Harris Administration is confronting this threat head-on. The BRIC program has helped local officials prepare for, respond to, and recover from these extreme weather events in places like Tulsa and Crisfield. I strongly urge communities to invest in their long-term security and resilience by submitting applications for BRIC funding and direct technical assistance by the February 29 deadline.”

“The increase in extreme weather events impacting underserved communities nationwide means we need to be even more proactive in how we develop solutions and build local capacity. This is effort is critical in helping communities become better prepared for increasing floods, hurricanes, wildfires and other hazards,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Because of this, we are expanding Direct Technical Assistance expertise to more communities than ever before and have made historic levels of funding available through Hazard Mitigation programs like BRIC.  This ensures more places like Crisfield and Tulsa can take advantage of ways to make their communities safer and more resilient.”

In Crisfield, FEMA Region 3 leaders joined local officials for a press event to highlighting the city’s participation in the BRIC Direct Technical Assistance program. Crisfield is one of the 74 communities that lack resources receiving free FEMA help with hazard mitigation planning and BRIC project support.

The community faces flooding that interrupts daily life several times a year. Located on the Tangier Sound -- an arm of the Chesapeake Bay -- near the mouth of the Little Annemessex River, they are requesting support to address coastal flooding and storm surge challenges. FEMA is assisting the community to develop a sub-application through the BRIC national competition.  

Communities still have time to request help like Crisfield is receiving. The application period  for BRIC Direct Technical Assistance closes Feb. 29.

In Tulsa, FEMA Region 6 and local officials announced a $19.6 million FEMA grant through the BRIC program to address multiple climate challenges, such as flooding and extreme heat. The grant includes upgrading stormwater drainage, acquiring flood-prone properties and using nature-based solutions to reduce heat islands to reduce risk and safeguarding the public.

The climate resiliency enhancements qualify as a Justice40 project, delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s aim to reach 40% of climate benefits to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, overburdened by pollution and underserved. 

The deadline for states, tribes and territories to submit applications for the BRIC national competition is Feb. 29.

Read more below:

FOX 23 News: Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum announces nearly $19.6 grant for flooding mitigation | News | fox23.com 

[Fahima Paghmani, 2/26/24]

Tulsa has been awarded the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Bynum announced. The grant money is for fixing storm water drainage issues in the Fulton Creek watershed which causes transportation problems when South Sheridan Road floods near 43rd Street.

City of Tulsa: Tulsa Awarded $19.6 Million Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant from Federal Emergency Management Agency

[2/26/24]

Mayor G.T. Bynum, joined by FEMA Region 6 Mitigation Division Director Roosevelt Grant and Fire Chief Michael Baker, announced today that Tulsa has been awarded a $19.6 million Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This grant will enable Tulsa to improve the stormwater drainage in the Fulton Creek basin, where large amounts of rain cause flooding at East 43rd Street and South Sheridan Road.

KJRH-TV: $20 million FEMA grant will help redesign flood drainage (kjrh.com)

[Samson Tamijani, 2/26/24]

FEMA's regional mitigation director expects the new and improved storm sewer system will include two detention ponds and an expanded culvert. This would protect around 50,000 cars daily, as well as 100 businesses and two schools in the area. It will also create a green space.

WMDT-TV: FEMA, Crisfield officials work together towards flooding solutions - 47abc (wmdt.com)

[Hannah Cechini, 2/26/24]

Crisfield Mayor Darlene Taylor doesn’t want the city to “lose its magic.” That’s what the mayor told Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials on Monday. The group toured areas of the city that are most vulnerable to flooding, and damage from rising waters.

WBOC-TV: Residents and Officials in Crisfield Confront Flooding Challenges Through Collaborative Efforts | Latest News | wboc.com

[Lauren Miler, 2/26/24]

Despite minimal rainfall, residents of Crisfield, a town in Somerset County, continue to grapple with chronic flooding, prompting local leaders to convene with federal and state agencies on Monday to explore preventative measures. The meeting served as a platform for Crisfield officials to engage with representatives from federal (FEMA) and state (MD Department of Emergency Management) organizations to deliberate on strategies aimed at alleviating the town's persistent flooding issues. Notably, Crisfield is in its second year of participation in FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which focuses on enhancing flood resilience through comprehensive planning.

Daily State News: Crisfield tour by FEMA and MDEM highlights city's commitment to reducing flood risk | Bay to Bay News

[2/27/24]

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) senior officials Victoria Salinas and MaryAnn Tierney and Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russ Strickland were in Crisfield on Monday to learn how the city is working with county, state, nonprofit, academic and federal partners to reduce their flood risk through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)-Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) program.