Meeks and Garbarino Unveil Bipartisan Community Flood Resilience Act to Protect Coastal Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-05) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02) introduced the bipartisan Community Flood Resilience Act to help communities better prepare for and recover from flooding by allowing certain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation grant funds to be used for community-based flood insurance coverage. 

Currently, the National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP) serves as the primary source of flood insurance for most Americans. However, NFIP coverage is limited and generally capped at $250,000 for residential structures, which can leave homeowners in flood-prone areas like Southeast Queens underinsured. The legislation closes that gap and would allow communities receiving Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grants to use a portion of those funds to purchase community-wide parametric flood insurance policies. These policies provide rapid financial assistance after flooding events based on pre-established flood triggers, rather than lengthy post-disaster damage assessments. This legislation is intended to supplement, not replace, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

“From Southeast Queens to coastal communities that line our borough, families and small businesses continue to face the growing threat of flooding and severe storms,” Rep. Meeks said. “Hurricane Sandy taught us that we must do more to prepare New Yorkers before major weather events occur. Far too often, working families and minority homeowners bear the greatest financial burden when homes are damaged, businesses are forced to close and hardworking families are struggling to rebuild.  As floods become more frequent and severe due to climate change, we must explore innovative approaches that help communities recover more quickly and reduce the long-term economic impacts of disasters. This legislation gives communities another option to recover faster, strengthen local resilience, and better support residents when disaster strikes.”

“For Long Island communities that face growing flood risks every year, we need faster and more flexible tools to help families and small businesses recover after major storms,” Rep. Garbarino said. “This bill helps communities access innovative private-sector flood insurance options while reducing administrative burdens on FEMA and strengthening local resilience efforts. Long Islanders know firsthand the devastating impact flooding can have, and this legislation is about helping communities better prepare for the next storm before it happens.”

Under the bill, qualifying community-based parametric flood insurance policies must include flood-related triggers and prompt disbursement requirements to ensure communities receive assistance quickly following a disaster. The legislation also directs FEMA to conduct outreach and education efforts to help communities better understand available flood insurance tools and mitigation resources.

To read the full bill text visit,here. 

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