Reforming national disaster policy

Each post in this series focuses on one central debate about how to fix our broken disaster management policies, such as how we define a “disaster,” which government agencies should manage disaster responses, who bears the burden of paying for those actions, and how these burdens need to account for long-standing vulnerabilities in communities. These issues are all currently being debated among federal policymakers, but without guiding principles for their resolution.

Climate Policy Recent executive actions have built a more equitable and effective disaster policy. But the rest must come from legislative change.

Carlos Martín, Carolyn Kousky, Karina French, Manann Donoghoe

April 23, 2024

Parked cars submerged underwater in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. New Brunswick, New Jersey - September 2, 2021

Climate Disasters & Environment Vulnerable families need a more responsive and reliable federal disaster safety net

Carlos Martín, Carolyn Kousky, Karina French, Manann Donoghoe

November 13, 2023

Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, USA August 9, 2023. An unidentified man stands in the middle of Front Stree the morning after the devastating fires that destroyed Lahaina Town on Maui.

Climate Disasters & Environment How the federal government should build local governments’ capacity for addressing disasters

Carlos Martín, Carolyn Kousky, Karina French, Manann Donoghoe

October 18, 2023

Hurricane Ian flooded houses in Florida residential area. Natural disaster and its consequences

Climate Disasters & Environment As disasters become more costly, the US needs a better way to distribute the burden

Carolyn Kousky, Karina French, Carlos Martín, Manann Donoghoe

September 13, 2023

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 19, 2020: FEMA FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY sign at DC headquarters building

Climate Disasters & Environment Federal disaster management is a confusing patchwork. Reforming FEMA and improving interagency coordination can fix it.

Carlos Martín, Carolyn Kousky, Manann Donoghoe, Karina French

August 3, 2023

Hurricane Ian destroyed homes in Florida residential area. Natural disaster and its consequences Photo: Shutterstock

Climate Disasters & Environment Four principles for reforming US disaster policy

Carlos Martín, Carolyn Kousky, Manann Donoghoe, Karina French

May 25, 2023

Climate Disasters & Environment The US needs a new system for declaring natural disasters and distributing federal aid

Carolyn Kousky, Karina French, Carlos Martín, Manann Donoghoe

July 14, 2023