Pew Urges Congress to Include Disaster Mitigation Measures in COVID-19 Recovery Packages

The Pew Charitable Trusts submitted a letter to congressional leadership on April 27 urging that upcoming COVID-19 stimulus packages include measures to make communities and infrastructure more resilient to floods.

In its letter, Pew highlights the potential for spring flooding and an active hurricane season to compound the impacts of the pandemic on the economy and health care systems. To reduce these risks, Pew encourages Congress to provide communities with resources and guidance to strengthen public safety and lower potential disaster costs. This can be done by creating programs such as a state revolving loan fund, which would provide low-interest loans to states and local jurisdictions to complete flood mitigation projects. Establishing a pre-disaster program for transportation infrastructure could also help address vulnerable and repeatedly damaged roadways.