Donald Trump’s return to the presidency could see him grappling with FEMA policies that pit federal disaster costs against Florida’s vulnerable coastal development, a key political stronghold.
Jake Bittle reports for Grist.
In short:
- FEMA’s rising flood insurance rates and penalties for rebuilding in risky areas threaten Florida’s real estate market, which is heavily reliant on government-subsidized disaster relief.
- Conservative leaders and coastal politicians disagree over whether to continue FEMA’s policies, which save federal funds but burden homeowners.
- Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago estate is insured by FEMA, faces conflicting pressures to either reduce rates or phase out subsidized flood insurance.
Key quote:
“No taxpayer should want their money going into things that are clearly going to get damaged before their time is up.”
— Victoria Salinas, FEMA resilience head
Why this matters:
Florida’s coastal communities are among the most exposed to hurricane damage, holding $2 trillion in vulnerable property. Balancing disaster relief costs with risky development decisions will test the resilience of federal flood insurance programs and coastal economies.
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