South Florida’s flood defenses just took a $150 million hit, and residents are sounding the alarm.
In a move that is shaking storm-vulnerable communities from Miami Shores to Hialeah, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has pulled the plug on a key federal program, abruptly canceling grants from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) initiative that were set to shore up outdated flood infrastructure across the region.
“The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program,” a FEMA spokesperson said in an April statement, blaming “political agendas” for derailing disaster relief under previous leadership.
A FEMA spokesperson said in April that, under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the agency is charting a new course: “We are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need.”
As a result, a staggering $148 million earmarked for South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) projects is now gone.
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‘This administration couldn’t care less about the safety of our families’
The canceled upgrades were going to fix aging spillways and stormwater systems across three canal basins, all flagged as inadequate by engineers.
Without those upgrades, SFWMD research warns vast stretches of Miami-Dade and Broward counties could face catastrophic flooding and erosion, with rising sea levels and stronger storms making the threat even worse.
Residents in neighborhoods like North Miami, Miami Gardens and Little Haiti told CBS Miami the water’s already rising.
“I’m worried,” said Mary Charlsmith, a North Miami homeowner. “When it rains a lot, there’s a lot of flooding in the street. I have concerns, of course.”
Charlsmith said her home was flooded twice in 2024. “We have to put sandbags in front of the door but that doesn’t help.”
In Miami Shores, Fernando Monsalvo told CBS Miami, “It worries me a lot, the investments that we lost — $148 million… There should be more spent to protect our quality of life. Now, we’re going to suffer a lot.”
His neighbor, Victor Guzman, says, “It’s a need and the government taking them off is not a good thing.”
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson, who represents much of the impacted area, accused the administration of putting politics over public safety.
“This administration couldn’t care less about the safety of our families,” she charged. “Slashing funds for flood mitigation and hurricane prep isn’t just reckless – it’s life or death for South Florida.”
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What if FEMA funds are not replaced?
Here’s what could happen if the $150 million in BRIC grants pulled by FEMA are never replaced:
Higher flood risk Without critical upgrades like pump stations, raised roads and improved canals, areas like Miami-Dade and Broward become even more vulnerable during storms or high tides, especially with the rising sea-level.
Strained emergency response As FEMA staff have warned, canceling BRIC cuts down on essential planning, coordination and training, all critical for hurricane and flood readiness.
Without preparations, disasters escalate. New Orleans (post-Katrina) experienced delayed federal relief, infrastructure breakdowns and widespread chaos.
Escalating costs Federal research shows every $1 spent on mitigation saves around $6 in future recovery costs.
Municipalities are already investing in sandbags and emergency services, but may have to repay lost grants or self-fund improvements, impacting other services.
Flood insurance fallout The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) remains burdened with debt (~$20 billion) and uses outdated mapping. With rising costs, insurers may hike premiums or drop policies in high-risk zones.
Many homes in flood zones remain uninsured and without mitigation infrastructure. More policies could be dropped or become mandatory, hurting homeowners financially.
Economic disruption An estimate from the Democratic staff of the Joint Economic Committee pegs the annual cost of flooding in the U.S. at a staggering $179.8 billion to $496 billion in 2023 dollars.
That’s nearly half a trillion dollars in potential damage, disruption and disaster response costs each year, highlighting the massive financial burden of America’s rising flood risk.
Leaders push back and call for restoration of funds
Wilson is now calling for Congress to intervene and restore the canceled BRIC funding, insisting “only Congress has the power of the purse.”
Despite the financial setback, SFWMD says it’s not throwing in the towel just yet.
“No immediate decisions are needed at this time because we are still designing the projects and have not started construction,” the agency said in a statement to CBS News Miami. “We will continue to work closely with our local, state and federal partners to provide flood control in these communities.”
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava pledged to “monitor federal changes closely” and safeguard the region’s storm-readiness.
“We’re doing our very best to continue to have a very resilient economy and infrastructure,” she said. “So far, so good.”
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
