American Flood Coalition

Amazing day two of our #WNCPartnership retreat in Blowing Rock NC. American Flood Coalition is so proud to partner with these over 20 #WNC communities most impacted by #Helene We value the committment from these local elected leaders to join together and partner with us to advocate for a speedier recovery, long term resilience and state and federal reforms. This group has accomplished so much in year one and we will be spending the afternoon developing priorities and strategies for year two.

✏️ **Pop quiz** Can you name a major bipartisan infrastructure funding program that determines how we invest in communities across the country? 🤚 Did anyone answer federal post-disaster funding? In the last 10 years alone we’ve spent $558 BILLION dollars in post-disaster spending, making it one of the primary ways we fund infrastructure in America. (For context: compare to the $550 Billion for new infrastructure programs in IIJA). The problem is, we rarely see this for what it is: a major way we are designing and investing in the future of our communities - our homes, roads, bridges, and ecosystems. Ultimately, we know this money will go further on the front end (recent US Chamber of Commerce report says up to 13x further), but we also need to view post-disaster spending clearly. Every time we rebuild, we need to make communities stronger and safer places to live. And to do that, we need more flexibility and programs that encourage communities to rebuild in smarter ways. Right now, programs are designed to make it easier to put the pieces back together the way they were - even if those pieces flooded last time - than to build for the future. We have a massive opportunity hiding in plain sight. If we treat post-disaster spending not just as emergency response, but as infrastructure investment, we can break the cycle of repeat disasters and actually ensure communities are better prepared. Imagine if every dollar spent after a disaster also reduced risk for the next one. If rebuilding meant safer housing, restored ecosystems, and stronger local economies. We don’t need to wonder how we're going to pay for this. We need to use the money we’re already spending in smarter, more flexible, and more forward-looking ways. Let’s stop rebuilding the past and start funding the future.

Reflecting on the one year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, I’m struck once again by not just the scale of the initial disaster, but the second disaster we create in the challenge of navigating our broken disaster system. Seeing roads and homes swept away after the hurricane was shocking, but seeing how long the damage lasts as communities wait on promised funding is devastating. And this is all too common after disasters. But what gives me hope is what’s happened since. Leaders from communities across the region and across the political spectrum have come together with a shared determination. The Western North Carolina Recovery and Resilience Partnership has been a unified and relentless voice for the region and made strides. I’ve been particularly proud of the work every team member at the American Flood Coalition has done to support the ongoing work of these incredible local leaders Together they have raised their voices at the state and federal level, demanding better for their communities and all communities experiencjng disasters These leaders just came to DC once again to meet with members of the North Carolina Congressional delegation and FEMA. Their message was clear: keep recovery needs front and center, and make sure resources actually reach the communities still waiting. We’ve turned our words into action by securing $20 million in state grants that will help communities rebuild and be more resilient But that isn’t enough, and the fight is far from over.

Last week, I had the privilege of welcoming another group of 16 U.S. state legislators from 11 different states in the Midwest and Alabama to the Netherlands for an intensive and inspiring program focused on water management. From the historic windmills of Kinderdijk to the impressive Maeslant Barrier, we explored how the Dutch live with water, innovate, and adapt to climate change. 💡 We engaged with experts from Deltares, The Green Village, and #FloodProofHolland to learn about technological innovation and urban resilience. 🌊 We dove into the #RoomfortheRiver program in Noordwaard and explored different climate adaptation strategies in Rotterdam. 🏛️ We met with the Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat and the water authorities of Friesland, Rijnland and Rivierenland to learn about the governance of water management and we had an insightful conversation with Carola Schouten, the mayor of Rotterdam. 🏛️ In the Gemeente Katwijk, we visited the underground parking garage ingeniously built into the dunes, an example of integrated coastal protection that blends safety, infrastructure, and landscape design. ✨ And as the cherry on top, we had the rare opportunity to witness the annual closing of the #MaeslantBarrier. 🇳🇱 Alongside the rich content of the program, the delegation also got a taste of Dutch culture, adding a personal layer to an already meaningful week of exchange and learning. A big thank you to CSG Midwest, the American Flood Coalition, and all the incredible partners who helped make this possible. Together, we’re building a more resilient future! Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the USA, Robert Tieman, Jaap Slootmaker, Meike van Ginneken, Victoria Elema, Luzette Kroon, Eric Kuindersma,  Ralph Schielen, Carina Verbeek, Johan Verlinde, Arnejan van Loenen, Jaap Kwadijk, Toon Segeren, Kathryn Roscoe, Unal Sezisli, Lindsey Schwidder, Raymond Hofer, Jeroen Kramer, Johan Oosterbaan, Rogier van der Sande, Peter-Jan van Steenbergen