In a significant move to bolster flood resilience, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced the inclusion of Arkansas, Massachusetts, and Texas as new beneficiaries of FEMA’s Swift Current Program for the 2023 fiscal year. This program, part of the broader Investing in America agenda, is designed to provide swift financial assistance to flood-prone communities.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell revealed that Arkansas and Massachusetts will each receive up to $20 million, while Texas will benefit from an additional $40 million. This funding, facilitated by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to mitigate flood risks and enhance community safety against the increasing threat of flooding.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is empowering FEMA to extend even more funding to help flood-prone communities be proactive to the growing threat of flooding,” said Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Along with the 18 other states and one Tribal Nation already selected, Arkansas, Massachusetts, and Texas will now have faster access to funding to make communities safer from the climate crisis.”

The announcement builds on previous declarations made in April and May, where a total of 16 states and one Tribal Nation were named eligible for the Swift Current funding. This initiative aligns with President Biden’s commitment to climate resilience, backed by over $50 billion secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. The funds are part of the $3.5 billion allocated for the Flood Mitigation Assistance program.

Swift Current Program: Enhancing Climate Resilience

The Swift Current Program is engineered to expedite funding distribution following flood-related disasters, enabling communities to promptly implement flood risk reduction measures. The program supports National Flood Insurance Program policyholders who have repeatedly faced significant flood damage. Eligible projects include property acquisition, demolition, elevation, and relocation, with buildings required to be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program.

This funding opportunity complements FEMA’s Year of Resilience, aimed at building local capacity to handle future climate hazards. The Swift Current Program also advances the President’s Justice40 Initiative, striving to direct 40% of federal investment benefits to disadvantaged communities. This includes increasing the federal cost share for eligible applicants above the standard 75% and providing pre-application support to communities often challenged in meeting non-federal match requirements.

Funding Distribution

The 2023 Swift Current funding allocation includes:

- Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians: $5 million

- Arkansas: $20 million

- California: $20 million

- Colorado: $10 million

- Florida: $40 million

- Georgia: $20 million

- Illinois: $20 million

- Iowa: $10 million

- Maine: $10 million

- Massachusetts: $20 million

- Michigan: $20 million

- Minnesota: $10 million

- Missouri: $20 million

- Montana: $20 million

- New Hampshire: $10 million

- New Jersey: $20 million

- New York: $20 million

- Rhode Island: $10 million

- Texas: $40 million

- Vermont: $40 million

- Washington: $20 million

- West Virginia: $10 million

To qualify, applicants must meet Swift Current activation criteria, including having a Presidential disaster declaration for a flood-related event between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024. Additional details and criteria are available on FEMA’s website.

On May 30, FEMA announced an additional $300 million in Swift Current funding for fiscal year 2024, continuing support for states, tribes, and territories affected by flood-related disasters. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their FEMA regional office or state hazard mitigation officer for more information.

For further details on FEMA’s Swift Current Program and how to apply, visit https://www.fema.gov.